Back-Tax Question

[WillyBWright]

My ex is really dumb when it comes to taxes. We have joint custody of three kids and have to divide them for our taxes. Thing is, I make a lot more money and I'd get a lot more back if I could claim them all than she could if she did. As far as I know this is perfectly legal as long as the kids were only claimed once, doesn't matter how many of them on who's return. I offered to share the extra money with her, but she'd rather "punish" me I guess. All she sees is that it means less money for me. She doesn't understand the "more money for her" part.<br /><br />I think I was finally able to convince her AFTER she sent her taxes off. So I sent mine off. So much for this year. Or is it? If we were both to do it, can we go back and switch things around. The difference is over $4000 that I'd be getting if I could claim all 3 kids. I doubt her total refund met $2000. I hear that H&R Block will go back a year and check for possible additional refund money. Would something like that apply here? (She did the same thing to me last year and the difference would've been about $2000. So if it can be done for both years, that's about $6000 to split. ) We didn't do H&R Block, but any tax preparer should be able to help?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Back-Tax Question

assuming you're correct in the math....<br /><br />you can file ammended returns, would be a total of 4 in your case. you can do it yourself, or pay someone to complete all four returns. for the irs website...<br /><br /><br />If you find that you have done any of the following, you should file an amended return 1) you did not report some income; 2) you claimed deductions or credits you should not have claimed; 3) you failed to claim some deductions or credits you are entitled to; or 4) you used an incorrect filing status. The form you use to correct the Form 1040 (PDF), Form 1040A (PDF), Form 1040EZ (PDF), or TeleFile you already filed is Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Please refer to Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, for additional information. <br /><br />For additional information on when, where, and how to file, refer to Tax Topic 301, When, Where, and How to File.<br /><br /><br />References:<br /><br />Form 1040 (PDF), U.S. Individual Income Tax Return <br />Form 1040A (PDF), U.S. Individual Income Tax Return <br />Form 1040EZ (PDF), U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers with No Dependents <br />Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return <br />Tax Topic 301, When, where, and how to file <br />Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Back-Tax Question

WOW! Now that's a lot of good info.<br /><br />The way I'm figuring it, she'd have to pay back some of her refund money. But I should get back more as a result and I would compensate her loss and then some. It doesn't sound like something I'd be willing to take on without professional help and that would cost money too. I'm sure the final outcome would have a good chunk of that $6000 reduced, but still...<br /><br />Right now I have to get her numbers from the past two years and start plugging them in to get some reliable numbers. Then I'll have a better idea if it's worth it. Thanks for your help.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Back-Tax Question

I thought it was spelled out in the directions as to who was entitled to claim the dependents. I went thru the same thing many years ago, and there was no argument because my child support was documented as greater than her income, so I took the deduction.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Back-Tax Question

My brother use to rotate every other year with his ex.<br /><br />Let us know how it turns out.