I live in the US, and we file our income tax returns between January and April. In march my return was rejected by the IRS because someone had already used my dd's social security number to claim a dependent. I asked ex if he had claimed her, and he said yes and pretty much told me it's "first come first serve" and to take a flying leap.
Now, two years ago I took him back to court and was awarded full residential custody. I am the only person who can legally claim her. I saw my attorney and ended up refiling a completely different way, with a lot of documentation etc and directed it straight to the auditing department. I never in my life thought I'd be asking for a tax audit; most people live in fear of being audited even if they didn't do anything wrong.
I just checked my bank account and my tax refund has just cleared! So relieved, as that's what I was planning on using to pay for having dd's wisdom teeth removed.
What I've just been told though is that at the very least, he will have to pay back the refund he received, and as he won't be able to do that (he already spent it, and not on dd) his wages will be garnished. That will likely result in him losing his job as he works for law enforcement. Plus, one of the tax credits he claimed is apparently a very serious one, and carries a two year prison sentence if they find he intentionally defrauded them.
He's such a piece of crap. I almost hope he goes to prison. He was controlling and terribly emotionally abusive. I think he never imagined that in the five years we've been divorced I've recovered my backbone and there was no way I was going to roll over on this. What I'd give to be a fly on the wall when he gets the notice.
Perhaps I'm being evil. I can live with it.