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Can you claim head of household if you signed form 8332?

Author

Christopher Anderson

Published Mar 17, 2026

Can you claim head of household if you signed form 8332?

Can I file as head of household if I sign the form 8332? You will still be able to file your taxes as head of household, as well as claim the exclusion for dependent care benefits and the earned income credit if you qualify as the custodial parent (as described above).

What credits can I claim with form 8332?

Form 8332 is the form custodial parents can use to release their right to claim a child as a dependent to the noncustodial parent….This form also applies to some tax benefits, including the:

  • Child tax credit.
  • Additional child tax credit.
  • Credit for other dependents.

Can the noncustodial parent claim head of household?

However, the noncustodial parent may not claim the child for the purpose of claiming head of household filing status, the earned income credit, the credit for child and dependent care expenses, the exclusion for dependent care benefits, or the health coverage tax credit.

Can the noncustodial parent claim the child tax credit?

The EIC is a refundable tax credit for low to-moderate-income taxpayers. A non-custodial parent can not claim EIC for a child that he or she has been given permission to claim as a dependent by a custodial parent. You may still be able to claim the credit, even if you do not have a qualifying child.

What if both parents claim head of household?

If both of you claim her for the purposes of HOH, the one who doesn’t have the right to claim (based on the IRS’s ruling at a later date) will be subject to interest and penalty.

Can my ex and I both claim head of household?

The only way that both parents can claim Head of Household is if they have more than one child and each parent has at least one different child living with them for more than one-half of the year. You do not need to claim a dependent to file as Head of Household.

What credits can a noncustodial parent claim?

A non-custodial parent can claim his or her child as a dependent if the custodial parent has signed either a Form 8332 or a similar statement. If the non-custodial parent is able to claim his or her child as a dependent, the non-custodial parent will receive the dependent exemption as well as Child Tax Credit.

How does the IRS know who the custodial parent is?

The IRS wants to know who is the custodial parent. According to the IRS, if the child lives with each parent for an equal number of nights during the year, the custodial parent is the parent with the higher adjusted gross income. Only that parent may file with the head of household status.

Can both divorced parents claim head of household?

Can both divorced parents claim head of household 2020?

No. According to the IRS the parent who has the child more during the year is the custodial parent and that parent is the one who can claim Head of Household.

What happens when non-custodial parent claims child on taxes?

The non-custodial parent can claim the child as a dependent if the custodial parent agrees not to on their own tax return. However, you must obtain a signed IRS Form 8332 or similar written document from the custodial parent allowing you to do so.

Can two divorced parents each file as head of household?

When is form 8332 required?

Form 8332 is for when the custodial parent ( one whom the child spend more than 6 months during the year) releases the right to let the other parent ( noncustodial parent) to claim the child .

Can divorced parents each claim Head of Household?

Both parents cannot use the same qualifying person to justify their filing as head of household. The parents are divorced or legally separated, live apart, and both file as head of household, but the children live with just one of the parents. The qualifying person must live with the head of household.

What is form 8332 IRS?

Form 8332. A form that a custodial parent files with the IRS in which the parent agrees not to claim the child tax credit for a child. This allows the non-custodial parent to take the credit. This form is also filed to revoke the previous agreement.