Tax Changes

I live in Wisconsin. I was divorced 11 years ago. My husband was supposed to pay a % child support, but only ever paid the minimum he had to. He is/was self employed. I have 4 children and didn't want to do the whole court thing - I wanted them to keep a good relationship with their dad. I told my ex I wouldn't take him to court if he just left me alone and let me claim the kids on my taxes. (Divorce paper allowed him to claim one daughter.) So, that's how things have worked all these years. All my tax info is what has been used for all the kids' FAFSA info for college loans and assistance.

Dad has taken kids on clothing buying trips and has paid money toward college for the past three years.

For many years Dad has not filed taxes and has now been caught.He has also become aware of the Hope Scholarship tax break. So, now he wants to claim this daughter on the past 4 years' taxes. Not only will this cause me a world of hurt with Uncle Sam, but 2 daughters' tax info for FAFSA will now be incorrect and this also poses some pretty dire problems for them.

I kept my end of the deal living on not enough for years, now when this suits him better, he wants to change things.Can he just do this legally?

The court's order is what is legal, not your verbal agreement.

If what you did differed from the court order, then you will be the one in the wrong here as to the tax issue.

Now, you can take him back to court for contempt for his failure to pay the debts that he was supposed to pay.

The money you receive in that action might help you deal with the back IRS debt.

Sounds like you BOTH need to let the other slide because it will probably end up being a wash, but if he's not going to let you slide, then you need to protect your rights also.