[reesegayla]

ok, so I need some advice...I was under the impression that if a child was in your home for more than 6 months that by federal law you were allowed to claim them on your taxes and all you needed were placement papers and their social security number. I just called my caseworker because I needed Big K's SS# for the dentist and she said that she can't give it to me but she can call and give it to the dentist. I asked what we do if we need it for taxes since they aren't allowed to give it to us and she informed me that we are NOT allowed to claim them on our taxes EVER. Can someone help me out here because I am really confused! And I am starting to get annoyed with this CW! She never seems to know what is going on and repeatedly gives me wrong info. Is this info wrong as well?

[Newshyde]

Yes. She's wrong. If you child was in your home for 6 months plus one day during 2008 you can claim him/her on your taxes. You have a right to the SS# and should actually have a copy of the social security card if you can get it.
If your CW doesn't know the right information then you need to talk to a supervisor who should know, or talk to your licensing worker. I'm with a private agency and they even held classes on foster kids and taxes where a local tax assist organization came in to talk about stuff. You could call one locally in your community and get some information on that too.
Good luck.

[reesegayla]

THATS WHAT I THOUGHT! This woman is very young and very new and she just tells me whatever she THINKS is the right answer everytime I ask her a question. She is very frustrating. The tax thing doesn't matter for this year so Iw ill wait to fight that battle later but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy! LOL Thanks

[greenrobin]

You might consider emailing her every time you he a question. In the email, bcc or cc her supervisor. Then there will be a record of your having asked. I'd also forward all responses to the supervisor. Then the supervisor can take over "educating' this new worker!

[Newshyde]

I know how you feel. With my first CW I was told only foster parents could babysit, even though I knew that was wrong. I KNEW that I could have people go through background checks. I wasn't about to get a foster parent I didn't know to babysit while I went to the movies or something. I wanted to get a babysitter and she insisted I couldn't. Luckily she was the investigating CW and I was changed to an ongoing CW who knew what was up and soon got me some approved babysitters, but it took forever. I hate it when they are uneducated and just tell you things like its truth without verifying what they say. Good luck.

[jphollen]

A “Qualifying Child”

Yes you can if you have had here over half the year (6m and a day). Call the supervisor if you need to.


my link looks weird but its the irs website??

[nesesweetgirl]

Reesegayla, you can always take your foster child's birth cert. and a medcaid card or any other proof of resid. to the social security dept. and get you a copy of their ss# card.

[reesegayla]

They don't give me the birth certificate or medical card either. I had to even ask for placement papers. The agency just gave me their insurance number. That was it. Thanks for the website! I am def going to hang on th that!!

[jphollen]

You might also want to check out turbo tax and hr block software which allow a space to check foster child fill in the ss# and get your deduction if you meet qualifications.

If a child is with you less than six months and you had to contribute more support than you got (pretty easy to do with our board payments being so low or buy equipment or furniture specific to that child you can write portions of that off too. Our tax preparer helps us do that.

[millie58]

Show your caseworker the IRS booklet; I had to do that with 2 kids I had. In the MAPP classes, everyone was told we could claim the kids. Caseworker didn't know. and I only got birth certificates when I took them on a trip.