My ex wants my kids ssn for taxes

I have been divorced and have had sole custody of my children for 7 1/2 years now. My ex is finally paying his child support of jus $150 a month. He sent me a letter the other day and said he needed the kids ssn because he got a letter from the IRS and they said he needed it to claim the support he pays. Is he just pulling my chain? I think he plans on claiming them on his taxes this year. Also what is the standard support monthly for three children? I think I am being riped off with only getting $150.00 a month. It costs a lot more to raise three kids. Please help.

[usmcfamily]

To try to answer at least some of your questions.....
There is no "standard" for support amount based on the number of children alone. Each state has their own calculation system that is typically based on the incomes of both parents, the proportional responsibility of both (based on the income figures), the number of children to be supported....and depending on the state any number of other factors. So it may be that while, yes, that is a low amount of money to support that many children it is the "standard amount" for your location based on these factors. Unfortunately there is no magic number table that sets an automatic amount.
You can, however, request an evaluation for modification of support - let me warn you though that from my own experience you have to pay for the modification and usually cost more than you get so not really worth it. Also, in most states there has to be a substantial change of circumstance (increase/decrease in income) to justify a modification.....is worth a try, though, to at least check w/a family law attorney for your area on this one ..... might actually manage to get somewhere and it would be worth it.
As to his need for the social security numbers, that is a new one for me as to the IRS contacting him. My ex has never needed the SS# of our daughter for his tax purposes - like you I am sole custodial and I claim her on my taxes. I may be wrong, here, but cannot see from my experience (limited as it is)that he would need them for THAT purpose. If I am misinforming you I hope someone else will correct this and we will both know.
Prayers be with you....

[This message has been edited by usmcfamily (edited June 12, 2000).]

I do know a little about child support and the IRS. The IRS could give a frogs fat butt if your ex pays child support! You cannot claim child support on your taxes. He is out of luck on that one. What does your divorce decree say about who claims the kids?
My husband's decree states that he claims his daughter in even numbered years, and his ex claims the child in odd numbered years.
Each time we have our taxes done when it's our year to claim the child, we take in his divorce decree and they run off copies of the pertinent parts to send in with our taxes. That way, if his ex would claim the daughter also (which I'm just waiting for THAT to happen) she'll be the one in trouble with the IRS, not us! And the IRS WILL find out!

He may be talking about dependant care and childcare expenses while the children are with him. If that is the case, usually a schedule is attatched to the filing form. Doesn't he have joint legal custody? Why not give him the ssn of the kids. They are his children too and there are laws that protect you from him filing or claiming them on his tax forms. Let him be a parent too.

My understanding is that unless the decree provides otherwise, as the sole custodian, you must execute a waiver before the noncustodial parent can claim the children as dependents on his taxes.