Who can claim kid in college?

What is the name of your state?TX


Divorced April 2002. My ex and I have a son that was away at college from Jan-May and Sept-Dec 2002.

I pd. approx. 80% living expenses from Jan-May; son pd. 20%. Ex pd. auto and health ins.

Son live with ex June-Aug.

I pd. 1/2 of son's expenses Sept.-Dec. Son pd. other 1/2.

There is nothing in divorce decree about who claims him. We have another son my ex is already claiming. Although I believe I have pd. more than 50% of his expenses for the year, I pd. most of them in cash (gave to son every month). Ex has informed me he is claiming him, and refuses to negotiate any way to resolve conflict. Should I just go ahead and claim him and let the IRS figure it out?

Yes. Get a statement from your son first that you gave him cash of $xxxx during the year, he paid $xxxx of his own expenses, and dad gave him $xxxx. Then be sure to file first so the IRS gives you the deductions originally!