Claiming a Child Who Isn't Yours

[Tongrin]

I have a Fiance who has a daughter that isn't mine, they both lived with me for the whole year of 2009 and my fiance said that I could claim her on my taxes but I don't know how to claim someone who isn't related. Any advice?

[Dogmatique]

Where is the other parent?

What do your fiance's court orders say?

[Tongrin]

The other parent isn't in the childs life and has been dodgeing child support for the last 4 years.

[Dogmatique]

That wasn't my question....

[Tongrin]

I don't know what her court orders say, but she told me he gave up rights to her

[Bubba Jimmy]

Review the rules for Qualifying Relative on page 27 table 3-1 in IRS Publication 17. If the child passes all the tests then you can claim her as your dependent.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf

[llworking]

Where is the other parent?

What do your fiance's court orders say?

This is a tax question, not a family law question. Even on your usual forum where that question is a family law standard, it wouldn't necessarily apply on the tax forum.