Is it common for split parents to simply alternate claiming littles on tax returns?

Question

My sons dad wants to claim our son every year and split it, he thinks he will get more in return. one I don’t trust him so I won’t do this, two I disagree with his lifestyle and know that it wouldn’t be used for our son. I’m thinking to just alternate years? Not sure what’s common..

Answer

It varies. So if nothing in orders about it then that can be difficult.

Answer

Whoever gets the child more than 6 months of the year claims the child. Otherwise it's tax fraud. If parents have the same amount of time with the child, then it alternates years

Answer

I hit the wrong one! I meant to say “no”
If you share 50/50 custody the parenting agreement or divorce decree will state mother claims child on even/odd tax year (I.e you file 2020 taxes in February 2021) 
If one parent has more custody- like my brother who has what’s considered 33% (every weekend) he can only claim his sons every 3rd year. 
If nothing is in place, then it’s literally whoever files first.

Answer

Whoever has primary custody gets to claim unless you have an order stating otherwise.  If you have 50/50 split, then you alternate

Answer

Depends on what your court order says. If you don’t have one I’d get one so it’s all spelled out and then no matter what he wants to do you can blame it on court order and do as it says. If no order is currently in place it’s whoever the child spent over 50% time with last year. If you’re 50/50 set up alternating odd and even years.
My husband and his ex are 50/50 but the year before we got married it worked out better for him to claim their daughter and split the child tax credit part of the refund with her. (She’s screwed up her taxes as she’s self employed and was going to owe no matter what) When we got married we refused to do that anymore and started following odd/even years because even though she still files single were now married and claim my son every year and now have one child together and another on the way. Since our situation has changed it’s definitely cleaner to say whoever’s year it is claims daughter and even if it gets us nothing then so be it. Luckily she’s about to be 17 so not much longer of coordinating it because mom was not happy to do it this way and follow court order.

Is it common for split parents to simply alternate claiming littles on tax returns?

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