Filing Status for the 2023 Tax Year

Determining your filing status is a crucial step in the tax filing process, as it affects not only your tax liability but also your eligibility for various deductions and credits. For the tax year 2023, there are five filing statuses, each with its own set of criteria: Single, Married filing jointly, Married filing separately, Head of household, and Qualifying surviving spouse.

Marital Status:

Unmarried Persons:

• You are considered unmarried for the entire year if, on the last day of the tax year, you are either unmarried or legally separated from your spouse under a divorce or separate maintenance decree.
• Divorced individuals are considered unmarried for the whole year if the divorce is finalized by the last day of the year.
• If you obtain a divorce solely for tax purposes and later remarry, you must file as a married individual in both years.

2. Annulled Marriages:

• If a court decree of annulment is obtained, declaring that no valid marriage ever existed, you are considered unmarried, and amended returns may be necessary.

3. Head of Household or Qualifying Surviving Spouse:

• If unmarried, you may qualify to file as head of household or as a qualifying surviving spouse.

4. Married Persons:

• Married individuals can choose to file a joint return or separate returns.
• Considered married for the entire year if certain tests are met, including living together, living apart without legal separation, or being separated under an interlocutory decree of divorce.

5. Spouse Died During the Year:

• If your spouse passed away during the year and you didn’t remarry before the year-end, you can file a joint return for yourself and your deceased spouse for the current and the next two years.

6. Married Persons Living Apart:

• If you live apart from your spouse and meet specific tests, you may qualify to file as head of household.

Who Must File the return in 2023 Tax season

Single Filing Status:

Your filing status is considered single if you are unmarried and don’t qualify for another filing status. This status applies if your spouse died before January 1, 2023, and you didn’t remarry by the end of 2023. If you meet these criteria, you can indicate “Single” on your Form 1040 or 1040-SR and use the corresponding tax tables to calculate your tax liability.

Married Filing Jointly for the 2023 Tax Year

Choosing the married filing jointly status for your tax return is an option if you are considered married, and both you and your spouse agree to file a joint return. This filing status combines your incomes and allowable expenses, potentially resulting in lower taxes compared to other filing statuses. Even if one spouse has no income or deductions, you can still file jointly.

Advantages of Married Filing Jointly:

• Lower Tax Liability: Filing jointly may lead to a lower combined tax compared to other filing statuses.
• Higher Standard Deduction: If you don’t itemize deductions, the standard deduction for a joint return is generally higher.
• Eligibility for Tax Benefits: Certain tax benefits are exclusive to the married filing jointly status.

Filing Procedure:

• Indicate your filing status as “Married filing jointly” on Form 1040 or 1040-SR by checking the corresponding box on the Filing Status line.
• Use the Married filing jointly column of the Tax Table or Section B of the Tax Computation Worksheet to calculate your tax.

Considerations for Couples with Dual Incomes:

• If both spouses have income, it’s advisable to calculate taxes both on a joint return and on separate returns (married filing separately).
• Opt for the method resulting in the lower combined tax unless separate filing is required.

Special Circumstances:

• Spouse Died: If your spouse passed away during the year, you are considered married for the entire year, and you can still choose married filing jointly as your filing status.
• Divorce: If divorced under a final decree by the last day of the year, you are considered unmarried for the entire year, and married filing jointly is not an option.

Joint Responsibility and Relief:

• Both spouses must include all income and deductions on the joint return.
• Jointly and individually responsible for taxes, interest, and penalties.
• Relief options available, including innocent spouse relief, separation of liability, and equitable relief. Use Form 8857 to request relief.

Signing a Joint Return:

• Both spouses generally must sign the return.
• If your spouse died, is away, or unable to sign, specific procedures apply.
• In case of injury or disease preventing signing, attach a dated statement explaining the situation.
• If you are the guardian of your mentally incompetent spouse, you can sign on their behalf.
• Special provisions for spouses in a combat zone or serving in other special circumstances.

Nonresident or Dual-Status Aliens:

• Generally, a nonresident alien couple can’t file jointly, but exceptions exist for dual-status aliens married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien at year-end.
• If filing jointly, both spouses are treated as U.S. residents for the entire tax year.

Understanding the implications of married filing jointly is crucial for optimizing your tax situation. Evaluate your circumstances, seek professional advice if needed, and choose the filing status that best aligns with your financial situation for the 2023 tax year.

Married Filing Separately for the 2023 Tax Year

Choosing the married filing separately status is an option if you are married and either you and your spouse don’t agree to file a joint return or you don’t qualify for other filing statuses. While filing separately may be beneficial in certain circumstances, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks.

Benefits of Married Filing Separately:

• Individual Tax Responsibility: Each spouse is responsible for their own tax liability.
• Personal Deductions: You report only your income, credits, and deductions on your separate return.
• Alternative to Joint Filing: If you and your spouse cannot agree to file jointly, or if separate filing results in lower taxes, this may be a suitable option.

Considerations:

• Higher Combined Tax: Generally, separate returns may result in a higher combined tax compared to a joint return.
• Special Rules Apply: Special rules, explained later, may lead to a higher tax burden for married couples filing separately.
• Evaluate Both Options: Consider calculating taxes both ways – jointly and separately – to determine the filing status resulting in the lowest combined tax.

Choosing Head of Household Status:

• If eligible, you may choose head of household status instead of married filing separately.
• Living apart from your spouse and meeting specific tests can qualify you for head of household status.
• This filing status may offer tax benefits, a higher standard deduction, and the ability to choose the standard deduction even if your spouse itemizes.

Filing Procedure:

• Check the “Married filing separately” box on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
• Enter your spouse’s full name and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• If your spouse doesn’t have or isn’t required to have an SSN or ITIN, enter “NRA” (Nonresident Alien) in the appropriate space.
• For electronic filing, follow specific guidelines for entering the spouse’s information.
• Use the Married filing separately column of the Tax Table or Section C of the Tax Computation Worksheet to calculate your tax.

Special Considerations:

• Higher Combined Tax: Generally, separate returns may result in a higher combined tax compared to a joint return.
• Special Rules Apply: Special rules, explained later, may lead to a higher tax burden for married couples filing separately.
• Evaluate Both Options: Consider calculating taxes both ways – jointly and separately – to determine the filing status resulting in the lowest combined tax.

Understanding the implications of married filing separately is crucial for optimizing your tax situation. Evaluate your circumstances, seek professional advice if needed, and choose the filing status that aligns with your financial situation for the 2023 tax year.

Special Rules for Married Filing Separately in the 2023 Tax Year

When choosing married filing separately as your filing status, several special rules come into play. It’s important to understand these rules, as they can impact your tax liability and limit certain credits and deductions. Here’s a breakdown of the special rules for the 2023 tax year:

Tax Rate:

• Your tax rate is generally higher than on a joint return.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT):

• The exemption amount for figuring the alternative minimum tax is half that allowed on a joint return.

Child and Dependent Care Expenses:

• You can’t take the credit for child and dependent care expenses in most cases.
• The amount you can exclude from income under an employer’s dependent care assistance program is limited to $2,500 (instead of $5,000 on a joint return). However, if you are legally separated or living apart from your spouse, you may still be eligible for the credit.

Earned Income Credit (EIC):

• You can’t take the earned income credit unless you have a qualifying child and meet certain other requirements.

Adoption Expenses:

• You can’t take the exclusion or credit for adoption expenses in most cases.

Education Credits and Deductions:

• You can’t take the education credits (American opportunity credit and lifetime learning credit) or the deduction for student loan interest.

Exclusion of Interest Income from U.S. Savings Bonds:

• You can’t exclude any interest income from qualified U.S. savings bonds used for higher education expenses.

Social Security Benefits:

• If you lived with your spouse at any time during the tax year:
• You can’t claim the credit for the elderly or the disabled.
• You must include in income a greater percentage (up to 85%) of any social security or equivalent railroad retirement benefits you received.

Credits and Deductions Reduced at Half the Income Levels:

• The child tax credit and the credit for other dependents.
• The retirement savings contributions credit.
• Your capital loss deduction limit is $1,500 (instead of $3,000 on a joint return).

Standard Deduction:

• If your spouse itemizes deductions, you can’t claim the standard deduction.
• If you can claim the standard deduction, your basic standard deduction is half the amount allowed on a joint return.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Limits:

• If your AGI on a separate return is lower than it would have been on a joint return, you may be able to deduct a larger amount for certain deductions limited by AGI, such as medical expenses.

Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs):

• You may not be able to deduct all or part of your contributions to a traditional IRA if you or your spouse was covered by an employee retirement plan at work during the year.

Rental Activity Losses:

• If you actively participated in a passive rental real estate activity that produced a loss, the special allowance is limited.
• Married persons filing separate returns who lived together at any time during the year can’t claim this special allowance.

Community Property States:

• If you live in a community property state and file separately, your income may be considered separate or community income for tax purposes.

Note: Special rules may allow a separated spouse to claim the earned income credit under certain circumstances. See the line 27 instructions in the Instructions for Form 1040 and Schedule EIC (Form 1040) for qualification details.

Understanding these rules is crucial for making informed decisions about your filing status and maximizing your tax benefits. It’s advisable to consult with a tax professional to navigate the complexities of these rules effectively.

Changing Filing Status and Head of Household Eligibility

Changing Filing Status

From Separate Returns to Joint Return:

• You can change your filing status from a separate return to a joint return by filing an amended return using Form 1040-X.
• Generally, you can make this change within 3 years from the due date of the separate return or returns, excluding extensions.
• A separate return includes a return filed by you or your spouse claiming married filing separately, single, or head of household filing status.

From Joint Return to Separate Returns:

• Once you file a joint return, you can’t choose to file separate returns for that year after the due date of the return.
• Exception: A personal representative for a decedent can change from a joint return elected by the surviving spouse to a separate return for the decedent within 1 year from the due date (including extensions) of the return.

Head of Household Eligibility

Requirements for Head of Household Status:
To file as head of household, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You are unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the year.
2. You paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year.
3. A qualifying person lived with you in the home for more than half the year.

Advantages of Head of Household Status:

• Lower tax rates compared to single or married filing separately.
• Higher standard deduction than filing as single or married filing separately.

How to File as Head of Household:

• Check the “Head of household” box on the Filing Status line of Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
• If the qualifying child isn’t claimed as a dependent in the Dependents section, enter the child’s name in the entry space at the bottom of the Filing Status section.
• Use the Head of a household column of the Tax Table or Section D of the Tax Computation Worksheet to calculate your tax.

Considered Unmarried

Qualifications for Being Considered Unmarried:
To qualify for head of household status, you must be either unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the year. You are considered unmarried if you meet these tests:

1. You file a separate return.
2. You paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home for the tax year.
3. Your spouse didn’t live in your home during the last 6 months of the tax year.
4. Your home was the main home of your qualifying child for more than half the year.
5. You must be able to claim the child as a dependent.

Special Considerations:

• Different tests apply depending on the tax benefit claimed.
• If you were considered married for part of the year and lived in a community property state, special rules may apply in determining your income and expenses.

Nonresident Alien Spouse:

• You are considered unmarried for head of household purposes if your spouse was a nonresident alien at any time during the year.
• Your spouse isn’t a qualifying person for head of household purposes; you must have another qualifying person.

Choice to Treat Spouse as Resident:

• You are considered married if you choose to treat your spouse as a resident alien. Refer to chapter 1 of Pub. 519 for more information.

Understanding these rules is crucial for making informed decisions about your filing status and maximizing your tax benefits. Consult with a tax professional for personalized advice.

Keeping Up a Home

To qualify for head of household status, you must pay more than half of the cost of keeping up a home for the year. Use Worksheet 1 to determine if you meet this requirement.

Worksheet 1: Cost of Keeping Up a Home

      Amount You
Paid    Total
Cost
Property taxes    $  $
Mortgage interest expense    _____   _____
Rent    _____   _____
Utility charges    _____   _____
Repairs/maintenance    _____   _____
Property insurance    _____   _____
Food eaten in the home    _____   _____
Other household expenses    _____   _____
Totals    $  $

Minus total amount you paid        ()

Amount others paid        $

• TANF and other governmental payments may count as support you provided for another person.
• Include expenses like rent, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, insurance, repairs, utilities, and food eaten in the home.
• Exclude the cost of clothing, education, medical treatment, vacations, life insurance, transportation, and the value of your services.

Qualifying Person

Refer to Table 4 to determine who qualifies as a dependent. Any person not described in Table 4 isn’t a qualifying person.

Examples:

1. Child: If your unmarried child lived with you all year and meets the qualifying child criteria, they are your qualifying person for head of household purposes.
2. Non-Qualifying Child: If your child is 25 years old and doesn’t meet the age and income tests, they aren’t your qualifying person.
3. Friend: Friends don’t qualify as qualifying persons for head of household purposes.
4. Friend’s Child: Even if your friend’s child lives with you, they aren’t your qualifying person.

Home of Qualifying Person:

• Generally, the qualifying person must live with you for more than half of the year.
• Special rule for parents: You may file as head of household if your parent doesn’t live with you, but you must claim your parent as a dependent and pay more than half the cost of keeping up their home.

Death or Birth:

• You may be eligible to file as head of household even if the qualifying person is born or dies during the year.
• The qualifying person must have lived with you for more than half the part of the year they were alive.

Temporary Absences:

• You and your qualifying person are considered to live together during temporary absences due to special circumstances.

Adopted Child or Foster Child:

• You may qualify if the person was adopted, lawfully placed with you for adoption, or is an eligible foster child.

Kidnapped Child:

• You may qualify if your child was kidnapped, presumed kidnapped, and you meet specific criteria.

Understanding these rules is crucial for accurately determining your eligibility for head of household status. Consult with a tax professional for personalized advice.

Qualifying Surviving Spouse

If your spouse died in 2023, you may be eligible to use “qualifying surviving spouse” as your filing status for 2 years following the year your spouse died. This filing status allows you to use joint return tax rates and the highest standard deduction amount. However, you can’t file an actual joint return. Below are the eligibility criteria and guidelines for filing under this status:

Eligibility Rules

You are eligible to file as a qualifying surviving spouse for 2023 if you meet the following tests:

1. Entitled to File Jointly:

• You were entitled to file a joint return with your spouse for the year your spouse died, irrespective of whether you actually filed a joint return.

1. Spouse’s Death:

• Your spouse died in 2021 or 2022, and you didn’t remarry before the end of 2023.

1. Dependent Child:

• You have a child or stepchild (not a foster child) whom you can claim as a dependent or could claim as a dependent, except for specific conditions related to the child’s gross income, filing a joint return, or your eligibility as a dependent on someone else’s return.

1. Child’s Residence:

• The child lived in your home all year, except for temporary absences. There are exceptions for a child born or died during the year and for a kidnapped child.

1. Cost of Keeping Up a Home:

• You paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year.

Examples

• Example 1: Your spouse died in 2021, and you haven’t remarried. For 2022 and 2023, you continued to keep up a home for you and your child. You were entitled to file a joint return for 2021. For 2022 and 2023, you can file as a qualifying surviving spouse. After 2023, you can file as head of household if you qualify.

Death or Birth

You may be eligible to file as a qualifying surviving spouse if the child who qualifies you for this status is born or dies during the year. You must have provided more than half of the cost of keeping up a home that was the child’s main home during the entire part of the year the child was alive.

Adopted Child

If you adopted the child in 2023 or the child was lawfully placed with you for legal adoption in 2023, you may be eligible to file as a qualifying surviving spouse.

Kidnapped Child

You may be eligible to file as a qualifying surviving spouse if the child was kidnapped. Certain conditions must be met, including the child living with you for more than half the part of the year before and after the kidnapping.

Caution

The qualifying surviving spouse filing status is available for only 2 years following the year your spouse died. Ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria before selecting this filing status. If in doubt, consider consulting a tax professional for personalized advice.

Dependents

The term “dependent” refers to either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative. To claim someone as a dependent, you must meet certain criteria, as outlined in Table 5. Here is an overview of the rules:

Overview of Rules for Claiming a Dependent (Table 5)

1. General Requirements:

• You can’t claim dependents if you, or your spouse (if filing jointly), could be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer, unless that taxpayer files a return only for a refund.
• You can’t claim a married person filing a joint return as a dependent unless the joint return is filed solely for a refund.
• The person you claim as a dependent must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.

1. Tests for Qualifying Child:

• The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, or a descendant of any of them.
• The child must meet age requirements (under 19, under 24 and a student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled).
• The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year.
• The child must not have provided more than half of their own support.
• The child must not be filing a joint return for the year unless it’s only to claim a refund.

1. Tests for Qualifying Relative:

• The person must be related to you or live with you all year as a member of your household.
• The person’s gross income for the year must be less than $4,700.
• You must provide more than half of the person’s total support for the year.

1. Exceptions and Additional Information:

• There are exceptions for certain situations, such as temporary absences, children born or died during the year, adopted or lawfully placed children, children of divorced or separated parents, and kidnapped children.
• Housekeepers, maids, or servants you employ cannot be claimed as dependents.

Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents

• You may be entitled to a child tax credit for each qualifying child under 17.
• A credit for other dependents is available for each qualifying child not eligible for the child tax credit and for each qualifying relative.

Exceptions

Even if you have a qualifying child or relative, you can claim them as a dependent only if the following three tests are met:

1. Dependent Taxpayer Test:

• If you can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer, you can’t claim anyone else as a dependent.

1. Joint Return Test:

• You generally can’t claim a married person as a dependent if that person files a joint return.

1. Citizen or Resident Test:

• You generally can’t claim a person as a dependent unless they are a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.

Note: There are exceptions for certain adopted children regarding the Citizen or Resident Test.

Caution and Examples

• Be cautious about the exceptions to the rules, and consult the detailed information in the publication.
• Examples illustrate scenarios such as a child filing a joint return, filing for a refund, or claiming specific credits.

Remember to consider all the rules and exceptions before claiming someone as a dependent on your tax return. If you have questions or uncertainties, it’s advisable to seek advice from a tax professional.

Qualifying Child Tests

For a child to be considered your qualifying child, they must meet five tests:

1. Relationship Test:

• The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant (e.g., grandchild) of any of them.
• Alternatively, the child can be your brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant (e.g., niece or nephew) of any of them.
• Adopted children are always treated as your own, and foster children are individuals placed with you by an authorized agency or court order.

1. Age Test:

• The child must be under the age of 19 at the end of the year and younger than you (or your spouse if filing jointly).
• If a student, the child must be under the age of 24 at the end of the year and younger than you (or your spouse if filing jointly).
• The child can also qualify if permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year, regardless of age.
• Exceptions and examples are provided, including cases of emancipation.

1. Residency Test:

• The child must have lived with you for more than half the year.
• Exceptions are made for temporary absences, children born or died during the year, adopted or foster children, kidnapped children, and children of divorced or separated parents.

1. Support Test:

• The child must not have provided more than half of their own support during the year.
• There are provisions for determining support, and the support provided by a remarried parent is treated as provided by you.

1. Joint Return Test:

• The child must not file a joint return for the year unless it’s only to claim a refund.

Additional Information:

• Temporary Absences: Special circumstances like illness, education, business, vacation, military service, or juvenile detention are considered for temporary absences.
• Birth or Death of Child: Special rules apply if a child is born or dies during the year.
• Emancipated Child: Emancipated children are treated as not living with either parent.
• Parents Who Never Married: Similar rules apply to parents who never married and lived apart during the last 6 months of the year.

Custodial and Noncustodial Parent Rules:

• Custodial Parent: The parent with whom the child lived for the greater number of nights during the year is the custodial parent.
• Equal Number of Nights: If the child lived with each parent for an equal number of nights, the custodial parent is the one with the higher Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
• Emancipated Child: Emancipated children are not considered in the custody of either parent.
• Support from Noncustodial Parent: The noncustodial parent can claim the child as a dependent if certain conditions, including providing at least $600 for support, are met.
• Release of Claim to Exemption: The custodial parent can release the claim to exemption using Form 8332 or a similar statement.
• Revocation of Release: The custodial parent can revoke a release of claim to an exemption with written notice to the noncustodial parent.

Important Reminder:

• Revocation Deadline: To be effective for a tax year, the custodial parent must have given written notice of revocation to the noncustodial parent in the prior year.

This information provides a comprehensive overview of the qualifying child tests, including specific scenarios and exceptions. If you have questions or uncertainties, it is advisable to consult with a tax professional.

Support Test for Qualifying Child

The support test for a qualifying child states that the child cannot have provided more than half of their own support for the year. Here are key points and examples related to the support test:

1. Support Test Overview:

• The child, to qualify as a dependent, must not have contributed more than half of their own support during the year.

1. Example Illustration:

• If, for instance, you provided $4,000 towards your 16-year-old child’s support, and the child contributed $6,000, the child is considered to have provided more than half of their own support, making them ineligible as your qualifying child.

1. Foster Care Payments and Expenses:

• Foster care payments received from a child placement agency are considered support provided by the agency.
• If you’re not in the trade or business of providing foster care, unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses for a foster child, mainly benefiting a qualified charitable organization, are deductible as charitable contributions but aren’t considered support you provided.
  • Example 1: Foster parents caring for a child without a business motive or to benefit an agency qualify, and their unreimbursed expenses are considered support provided by them.
  • Example 2: If the state government provides $4,000 for the support of your foster child, this is considered support from the state, not from the child.

1. Scholarships:

• Scholarships received by a child who is a student are not considered when determining whether the child provided more than half of their own support.

1. TANF and Governmental Payments:

• According to proposed Treasury regulations, if you receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) payments or similar government payments and use them to support another person, those payments are considered support provided by you, not the government or a third party.

These guidelines help clarify what constitutes support, ensuring that the child meets the criteria as a qualifying child for tax purposes. For additional assistance, Worksheet 2 is recommended for those uncertain about whether a child provided more than half of their own support. Additionally, specific rules and regulations may apply, so consulting relevant publications or seeking professional advice is advisable for complex cases.

Joint Return Test for Qualifying Child

The Joint Return Test is a criterion to determine if a child can be claimed as a qualifying child for tax purposes. Here’s an overview and examples related to this test:

1. Joint Return Test Overview:

• The child cannot file a joint return for the year to meet this test.

1. Exception:

• There is an exception to the joint return test if the child and their spouse file a joint return solely to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.
  • Example 1: If your 18-year-old child, living with you, files a joint return with their spouse who earned $35,000, the joint return disqualifies the child as your qualifying child.

1. Worksheet 2: Worksheet for Determining Support:

• This worksheet helps in determining whether the person you supported provided more than half of their own support.
  • Example 2: If your 18-year-old child and their 17-year-old spouse file a joint return only to claim a refund of withheld taxes, the exception to the joint return test applies.
  • Example 3: If they file a joint return to claim an American opportunity credit, even if no taxes were withheld, the exception doesn’t apply, and the child isn’t your qualifying child.

1. Determining Support:

• The worksheet considers various factors, including funds belonging to the supported person, household expenses, and personal expenses of the supported person.
• If the supported person provided more than half of their own support, they don’t meet the criteria.
• If you provided more than half of the support, you can claim the person as a qualifying child or qualifying relative, subject to meeting other relevant tests.
• Special rules apply for kidnapped children, children of divorced or separated parents, and multiple support agreements.

This Joint Return Test ensures that the child is not filing a joint return, unless it’s for the specific exception mentioned, to be considered a qualifying child. Meeting this test is essential, along with satisfying other criteria, for claiming dependent-related tax benefits.

Qualifying Child of More Than One Person

When a child meets the criteria to be a qualifying child for more than one person, only one person can claim the child for various tax benefits. The tiebreaker rules are applied to determine who gets to claim the child for the following tax benefits:

1. Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents, or Additional Child Tax Credit
2. Head of Household Filing Status
3. Credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses
4. Exclusion from Income for Dependent Care Benefits
5. Earned Income Credit

Tiebreaker Rules:

1. If only one person is the child’s parent, that person is treated as the qualifying child’s claimant.
2. If the parents file a joint return and can claim the child as a qualifying child, they are treated as the claimants.
3. If the parents don’t file a joint return, but both claim the child, the IRS treats the child as the qualifying child of the parent with whom the child lived for a longer period during the year. If the time is equal, the IRS considers the parent with the higher AGI.
4. If no parent can claim the child, the child is treated as the qualifying child of the person with the highest AGI.
5. If a parent can claim the child, but no parent does so, the child is treated as the qualifying child of the person with the highest AGI, but only if that person’s AGI is higher than any of the child’s parents who can claim the child.

Examples:

1. Child Lived with Parent and Grandparent:

• The parent and grandparent both qualify to claim the child. They decide that the grandparent will claim the child. The grandparent can claim all related tax benefits.

1. Separated Parents Claim Same Child:

• If separated parents claim the child and both meet the criteria, the tiebreaker rules determine who can claim the child. Generally, the parent with whom the child lived longer during the year or, in case of equal time, the parent with the higher AGI gets to claim the child.

1. Unmarried Parents Claim Same Child:

• Similar to the separated parents, if unmarried parents claim the child, the one with the higher AGI usually gets to claim the child.

1. Child Didn’t Live with a Parent:

• If a child lived with a grandparent and a parent, only the parent can claim the child if their AGI is higher than the grandparent’s AGI.

Applying Tiebreaker Rules to Divorced or Separated Parents:

• If a child is treated as the qualifying child of the noncustodial parent under the rules for divorced or separated parents, only the noncustodial parent can claim certain benefits.

Example – Child E:

• Child E is treated as the qualifying child of E’s other parent due to divorce rules, allowing that parent to claim specific benefits. The custodial parent may claim other benefits like head of household filing status and earned income credit.

Example – Child M:

• If you and your sibling’s child M lived with your parent, only your parent can claim M if their AGI is higher than yours.

These rules ensure proper allocation of tax benefits when a child qualifies for more than one person, preventing the division of benefits between claimants.