2002 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 182">*182 Petitioner was not entitled to a deduction for a dependency exemption for her son. Petitioner was not entitled to claim a child tax credit. Petitioner may not use the head of household filing status.
MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION
LARO, Judge: Petitioner petitioned the Court to redetermine respondent's determination of a deficiency in her 1998 Federal income tax return. Following a concession by respondent, 1 we are left to decide the following issues as to 1998:
1. Whether petitioner is entitled to a deduction for a dependency exemption for her son. We hold she is not.
2. Whether petitioner is entitled to claim a child tax credit. We hold she is not.
3. Whether petitioner may use the head of household filing status. We hold she may not.
FINDINGS OF FACT
The parties have stipulated some of the facts. Their stipulation of facts and the exhibits submitted2002 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 182">*183 therewith are incorporated herein by this reference. We find those facts accordingly. Petitioner resided in New York when her petition was filed.
Petitioner filed a 1998 Federal income tax return (return), using the filing status of "Head of Household". On that return, she claimed a dependency exemption deduction for her son, Alejandro Betancourt (Alejandro). Petitioner also claimed as to Alejandro a $ 400 child tax credit.
Before coming to the United States, petitioner had lived in Puerto Rico. Petitioner's ex-husband, Jesus Betancourt Flores, lived in Puerto Rico in 1998 and still lives there. In 1998, the principal place of residence for Alejandro was Puerto Rico.
Petitioner is a noncustodial parent of Alejandro. Alejandro resided with petitioner for approximately 3 months during 1998. Petitioner claims that she provided during 1998 at least half of the support for her son. Petitioner has never filed with respondent as to Alejandro a Form 8332, Release of Claim to Exemption for Child of Divorced or Separated Parents.
On February 20, 2001, respondent mailed a notice of deficiency to petitioner. The notice of deficiency determined that petitioner may not claim Alejandro as a dependent, 2002 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 182">*184 may not claim a child tax credit, and may not use the filing status of head of household.
OPINION
1. Dependency Exemption
As to the support test, the taxpayer generally must provide more than half of a claimed dependent's support for the calendar year in which the taxable year of the taxpayer begins.
(A) the custodial parent signs a written declaration (in
such manner and form as the Secretary may by regulations
prescribe) that such custodial parent will not claim such child
as a dependent for any taxable year beginning in such calendar
year, and
(B) the noncustodial parent attaches such written
declaration to the noncustodial parent's return for the taxable
year beginning during such calendar year.
Respondent has prescribed Form 8332 for this purpose.
Here, petitioner is the noncustodial parent of Alejandro. Respondent has requested petitioner to provide a completed Form 8332 as to Alejandro to comply with the written declaration requirement of
2002 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 182">*186 2. Child Tax Credit
Respondent determined that petitioner was not entitled to the claimed child tax credit.
(A) the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under
with respect to such individual for the taxable year,
(B) such individual has not attained the age of 17 as of
the close of the calendar year in which the taxable year of the
taxpayer begins, and
(C) such individual bears a relationship to the taxpayer
described in
Because petitioner is not allowed a deduction under
3. Head of Household
Respondent determined that petitioner was not entitled to file her return using the status of head of household. Section (2)(b) allows a taxpayer to file as head of household if the taxpayer: is not married at the close of the2002 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 182">*187 taxable year, is not a surviving spouse, and maintains as the taxpayer's "home a household which constitutes for more than one-half of such taxable year the principal place of abode" for certain enumerated individuals, including a son. The parties have stipulated that Alejandro lived with petitioner for only 3 months during 1998. Thus, petitioner did not provide a household for Alejandro for more "than one-half of the taxable year". Petitioner is unable to file as head of household and must use the filing status of single.
All arguments made by petitioner but not discussed herein have been considered and have been found to be without merit. Accordingly,
Decision will be entered under Rule 155.
1. Respondent concedes that petitioner is not liable for an additional tax for excess contributions to her Individual Retirement Account.↩
2. Section references are to the applicable versions of the Internal Revenue Code. Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.↩
3. Additionally, petitioner has failed to meet the support test. She has not presented any evidence regarding the total cost of the support for Alejandro or the portion of the total support she provided.↩