Claiming dependants on Tax Return

[Isis1]

honestly, dad needs to fess up now about the welfare fraud. turn himself in before the debt to pay back gets too high. at some point, mom will get caught. and you will be hauled down that ship.

 

[mcwjjm]

Not trying to be arguementitive - ok, a little. But wouldn't it seem "fair" that if I'm footing all the bills, including medical, shouldn't I except her to pick up somethng, like buying some food once in while? It's not like I never bought any. And is it really my responsibility to know how she paid for them? Cash, check, EBT? Sure, I knew she had received some benefits during our relationship but I never knew what they were or how much. Principally because she wasn't fortcoming and because her work and school status changed so much it was in a constant state of flux. She always was receiving finiancial aid / grants, so I never knew what her finiancial situation was. She never said and I never asked. We just split certain expenses [clothes, kid's gifts] and she bought half the food, and even that wasn't consistent. I understand that I benefited too but if it just seems unrealistic to expect me to responsible for her filing of paperwork. I could see if we were married or it was a joint account but it wasn't and no one can prove I even benefited. Seeing I paid for everything else, she could have just provided for her and the kid's. It's seems quite speculative to assume I benefited just because I lived there. Some people that live together have argreements where they seperate everything. Thanks for the tip on the tax form. I believe I read about it somehwere but then forgot about it.

 

[Isis1]

Not trying to be arguementitive - ok, a little. But wouldn't it seem "fair" that if I'm footing all the bills, including medical, shouldn't I except her to pick up somethng, like buying some food once in while? It's not like I never bought any. And is it really my responsibility to know how she paid for them? Cash, check, EBT? Sure, I knew she had received some benefits during our relationship but I never knew what they were or how much. Principally because she wasn't fortcoming and because her work and school status changed so much it was in a constant state of flux. She always was receiving finiancial aid / grants, so I never knew what her finiancial situation was. She never said and I never asked. We just split certain expenses [clothes, kid's gifts] and she bought half the food, and even that wasn't consistent. I understand that I benefited too but if it just seems unrealistic to expect me to responsible for her filing of paperwork. I could see if we were married or it was a joint account but it wasn't and no one can prove I even benefited. Seeing I paid for everything else, she could have just provided for her and the kid's. It's seems quite speculative to assume I benefited just because I lived there. Some people that live together have argreements where they seperate everything. Thanks for the tip on the tax form. I believe I read about it somehwere but then forgot about it.

if the money wasn't coming from you, how do you argue you didn't notice she was covering half her bills? you are going to have a hard time convincing a judge you had no idea mom was receiving any funds from the state. you have to prove you didn't know. i wouldn't be surprised when (not if) mom gets caught, she's going to drag you down with her

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

If he didn't sign anything, exactly how is he on the hook for this?

If mom was receiving TANF, then he would have been directed to pay the child support to the courts. The rules are different for food stamps and medical coverage.

I would go for getting the tax deduction for any year that mom makes under a certain amount of money - be it $10K, or whatever.

 

[mcwjjm]

if the money wasn't coming from you, how do you argue you didn't notice she was covering half her bills? you are going to have a hard time convincing a judge you had no idea mom was receiving any funds from the state. you have to prove you didn't know. i wouldn't be surprised when (not if) mom gets caught, she's going to drag you down with her

Not sure what you mean by "half her bills"? All household bills were mine alone save for the partial food cost she covered along with specfic share bills [child-related clothes / gifts]. I never expected or asked her to pay any bills. As far as "her bills" [car, phone, food, credit card, etc...] I never got into it, she handled that and fortunately I never got sucked into paying for those as well.

Like I said, she was constantly, working / not working, quiting one job after another. Enrolling in school, getting financial aid, dropping out, enrolling in another program / school. So, her benefits / income always varied and she never shared much info with me and since she wasn't paying any of the bills it didn't really matter what she had coming in as long as she could handle "her bills". I would take care of everything else. I'm not sure if I completely undestood the arrangement myself but I went along with it because she was struggling going to school and I could cover the rest. It wasn't a typical situation but it wasn't illegal either [our division of responsibility that is].

I never said I wasn't aware she received state funding what I said was that I knew nothing about the specifics of that funding or how she came about it or if she in fact did something improper. I've never applied for any type of state funding myself so I know nothing about that process.

 

[Ohiogal]

Not sure what you mean by "half her bills"? All household bills were mine alone save for the partial food cost she covered along with specfic share bills [child-related clothes / gifts]. I never expected or asked her to pay any bills. As far as "her bills" [car, phone, food, credit card, etc...] I never got into it, she handled that and fortunately I never got sucked into paying for those as well.

Like I said, she was constantly, working / not working, quiting one job after another. Enrolling in school, getting financial aid, dropping out, enrolling in another program / school. So, her benefits / income always varied and she never shared much info with me and since she wasn't paying any of the bills it didn't really matter what she had coming in as long as she could handle "her bills". I would take care of everything else. I'm not sure if I completely undestood the arrangement myself but I went along with it because she was struggling going to school and I could cover the rest. It wasn't a typical situation but it wasn't illegal either [our division of responsibility that is].

I never said I wasn't aware she received state funding what I said was that I knew nothing about the specifics of that funding or how she came about it or if she in fact did something improper. I've never applied for any type of state funding myself so I know nothing about that process.

Look. I was in court in OHIO this week and some guy tried that same argument -- "I didn't know HOW she got the money" and you know what the JUDGE in Ohio stated -- "oh well. You are assumed to know and you are responsible for knowing where the money in YOUR HOUSEHOLD is coming from." Turning a blind eye doesn't let you plead innocent. Ignorant maybe but NOT innocent.

 

[mcwjjm]

If he can prove that he lived with mom and the children for all of 2008 (making them both the custodial parents in the eyes of the IRS) then for 2008 ONLY, since he has the higher AGI, he would win the tiebreaker with the IRS. NORMALLY

I just remembered she received two [2] subpoena's from municipal court in June requesting her as witness in a work-related case. The courts, the IRS and whomever else I believe knows she either lived here or used this as her address. Once I get the children's school records that should be proof enough that she or our children resided with me for 2008.

 

[mcwjjm]

Look. I was in court in OHIO this week and some guy tried that same argument -- "I didn't know HOW she got the money" and you know what the JUDGE in Ohio stated -- "oh well. You are assumed to know and you are responsible for knowing where the money in YOUR HOUSEHOLD is coming from." Turning a blind eye doesn't let you plead innocent. Ignorant maybe but NOT innocent.

That just seems almost like invasion of privacy. So, as head of household I'm responsible for the legal manner in which a room mate provides for himself, or in my case our children? That it's not only my right but responsibility to INVESTIGATE her employment, all legal documents she signs; such as financial aid and state benefits and that she is required by law to coporate with me and provide these documents upon request. And should she refuse I'm supposed to do exactly what? File criminal charges on her? Let me know, so I'll know how to procede in the futrue.

 

[Ohiogal]

That just seems almost like invasion of privacy. So, as head of household I'm responsible for the legal manner in which a room mate provides for himself, or in my case our children? That it's not only my right but responsibility to INVESTIGATE her employment, all legal documents she signs; such as financial aid and state benefits and that she is required by law to coporate with me and provide these documents upon request. And should she refuse I'm supposed to do exactly what? File criminal charges on her? Let me know, so I'll know how to procede in the futrue.

A roommate -- no. A paramour -- YES. A lover -- yes. The mother of your children when you are living with her -- YES. Your spouse -- YES. You are expected to know the income of your household. A roommate is not necessarily part of YOUR household. But this woman was NOT just your roommate. Quit trying to make excuses.

 

[mcwjjm]

A roommate -- no. A paramour -- YES. A lover -- yes. The mother of your children when you are living with her -- YES. Your spouse -- YES. You are expected to know the income of your household. A roommate is not necessarily part of YOUR household. But this woman was NOT just your roommate. Quit trying to make excuses.

Not making excuses just stating the fact I did not know the law. If we as citizens knew all aspects of the law why woudl we need attorneys? You didn't answer my 2nd question. In the future what course of legal action am I supposed to follow if this information is not provided when requested? Since, if I'm being held responsible by the courts they should provide a course of action to see that my rights are upheld.

 

[mommyof4]

Not making excuses just stating the fact I did not know the law.

Ignorance of the law is not a defense.

 

[Ohiogal]

Not making excuses just stating the fact I did not know the law. If we as citizens knew all aspects of the law why woudl we need attorneys? You didn't answer my 2nd question. In the future what course of legal action am I supposed to follow if this information is not provided when requested? Since, if I'm being held responsible by the courts they should provide a course of action to see that my rights are upheld.

You should be talking to your lover/paramour/mother of your children who resides with you and making sure of what is going on with the money. If she has money and is not working that should raise red flags. If she has a food stamp card then guess what? If you believe she is lying then you call welfare and make sure THEY KNOW that you are in the household.

 

[mcwjjm]

You should be talking to your lover/paramour/mother of your children who resides with you and making sure of what is going on with the money. If she has money and is not working that should raise red flags. If she has a food stamp card then guess what? If you believe she is lying then you call welfare and make sure THEY KNOW that you are in the household.

That would go over well. I'm not saying I disagree with you, and that's what I'm doing now, but rememberI have to live with her and don't you think action like this would have a negative affect on our children?

Actually, now that I recall I did twice try to inform the state of possibe or alledged fraud regarding the mother of my oldest son. On both occassions they never returned my call, let alone [more than likely] investigated.

 

[mommyof4]

That would go over well. I'm not saying I disagree with you, and that's what I'm doing now, but rememberI have to live with her and don't you think action like this would have a negative affect on our children?

You mean as opposed to the POSITIVE effect this separation and subsequent child support/custody issue is having on the children now?

I'll just keep the rest of my opinion to myself. Those that know me know exactly what I think about this whole tacky situation.

 

[CJane]

The form one fills out for food stamps requests the number of people "Eating and preparing food together" in the household and then asks for THEIR incomes. If Mom did NOT list you, but still used your address, then she'd get benefits. The state would not necessarily 'come after' you for child support for food stamps/medicaid. They're only really proactive about that for TANF.

HOWEVER, you KNEW mom was on welfare. You KNEW she had an EBT card and you've already stated you KNEW she was getting around $350/month before and is now only getting about $100. You can't NOW claim you 'didn't know'. And YES it's your responsibility, when you KNOW Mom is on welfare to get yourself down to the welfare office and find out what YOUR exposure is, whether you should be paying child support so that WE aren't supporting your kids, whatever. YOU directly benefitted from that EBT card ANY TIME you CHOSE to eat the food it purchased. YOU directly benefitted when YOU did not support your children FINANCIALLY (in the eyes of the law/courts) by paying child support.