HB322

The amount of money spent to overturn this law will far exceed any help given to the paying parent via tax breaks. Federal IRS law prohibits claiming a dependant for tax I the child has not spent a majority of their time in the claimant possession AND only if the claimant has paid more than half of the child expenses. Child support laws are based on income disparity, not an equal split of the cost to raise a child. Federal law will prevail, in the mean time, responsible parents will be unduly punished for being responsible.

This is absolutely insane. The parent getting child support is still taking care of the kids for most of the time. They need to be able to claim the children as dependents. This is a vile bill that I vehemently oppose.

Child support should have no bearing on claiming children on taxes. Claiming children for tax purposes should be determined by the amount of parenting time each parent has. Each parent who exercises parenting time has a financial as well as parental responsibility for that child. No amount of child support can change or replace the emotional connection between a parent and a child. Child support is designed to equitable support the child between both homes. If one parent makes more money, usually the father, it is then equitable that both parents should seek to provide the same standard of living across both homes. In a marragie, house hold funds are split equally, and divorced parents should be no different. This does not negate the additional parental responsibilities of one parent or another, especially in the case of 50/50 parenting. If a parent has primary custody of a child, they should also be the one to claim the child on their taxes because they are providing the bulk of the parenting and financial care of the child including; transportation to school, preparing school lunches, setting up doctors appointments, dentist appointments, extra curriculuar activities, and driving to everything. This is a lot of time, thought, care, and money on the part of the one parent doing the primary care giving and therefore that parent should also claim the child on their taxes. In the case of a 50/50 split, each parent can claim the child in alternating years on taxes, as it is now because, in theory, there is an equitable distribution of the care for the child, regardless of who makes more money. This law opens the door to estranged fathers who pay child support to take advantage of mothers who are primarily taking care of their child day to day.

This bill would substantially impact the primary parent/caregiver of a child(ren), which would greatly impact women. Child support is a calculation that does not include many of the actual costs of raising a child, such as educational fees, sports, and medical bills.

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my opposition to HB 322, which proposes to grant the parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on their tax return. As the custodial parent, they take on the majority of the day-to-day caregiving responsibilities and should retain the right to claim the child as a dependent. The custodial parent typically provides the primary care and covers a significant portion of the child’s living expenses. This direct involvement in the child's life and welfare should be recognized in the form of tax benefits, rather than shifting that benefit to the non-custodial parent who may not bear the same level of daily responsibility. While both parents contribute to a child’s upbringing, it is important to recognize the custodial parent’s consistent role in caring for and providing for the child’s needs. I urge you to oppose this bill and ensure that the custodial parent retains the right to claim the child as a dependent. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Melissa

I oppose this bill. It does not account for the fact that child support payments are variable and although a parent may be receiving child support, they may be the parent who is paying more towards supporting the welfare of the child. The parent who is providing the most financial support to the child should be the parent who can claim the tax deduction for that child.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

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