SAHM tax status?

[newmamalizzy]

DD's dad and I are unmarried, but live as a family.  I'm a full-time SAHM with no income of my own.  Any advice from BTDTs on the best/right way to file taxes in this situation?  We're thinking that DP will claim me as a second dependent...

[LittleBirdy]

Not 100% sure but I think your DP can file as head of household, claiming you & DD as dependents.  Check out this link:  http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2010_publink1000220775

[lunarlady]

Edited! Now that I have read the excellent links provided by others, i agree that you can be claimed as a dependent so long as you lived with your partner for the entire tax year.

[Knitting Mama]

Here's more info on filing as HOH:

http://taxes.about.com/od/filingstatus/qt/headofhousehold.htm

That said, I do not believe you can be claimed by him. But, he can still file HOH instead of single and claim your baby.

If you are preparing your own return this year, e.g. using TurboTax, you can go to freetaxanswers.com and get an answer from a tax expert. Just make sure you have your question ready, as it's the first 20 minutes that are free-- but that kind of question shouldn't take more than a few minutes!!!

[annettemarie]

Moving to the Finances forum

[VisionaryMom]

IRS Module for Determining Dependency

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/mod_4_-_tax_tutorial.pdf

[applecider]

Yes, you can be claimed as a dependent by your DP.  That's the way we do it.  Anyone can be claimed as a dependent as long as someone else is providing more than a certain percentage of their living expenses.

[newmamalizzy]

Thanks everyone!  This has been immensely helpful.