'AITA for not letting my son's father claim him on taxes?'

In a recent discussion, a custodial parent faced a dilemma regarding whether to allow the non-custodial parent to claim their child on taxes. The custodial parent, a 32-year-old mother, has been primarily responsible for their child’s care, including numerous hospitalizations due to chronic health issues.

Despite her extensive involvement and care, the child’s father, a 34-year-old non-custodial parent, requested to claim the child on his taxes, stating that he intended to use the potential tax refund to purchase a car to visiting their child more frequently.

The custodial parent declined the request, citing the father’s minimal financial and emotional support throughout the year. She had previously offered a compromise where if the father contributed a modest amount towards child-related expenses, she would forgo filing for child support.

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However, the father failed to meet this condition. Given her role as the primary caregiver and her own financial constraints as a disabled individual on SSI, the custodial parent is questioning if she made the right decision by denying the claim, especially since she cannot claim the child herself due to her tax status.

This situation highlights the complexities of parental responsibilities and financial support. The custodial parent’s decision reflects her stance on ensuring that the non-custodial parent contributes more meaningfully to their child’s upbringing before benefiting from tax credits. However, it also raises questions about whether allowing the non-custodial parent to claim the child could have been a practical solution given that the credit would otherwise go unclaimed.

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