Tax exemptions for minor children (also known as dependency exemptions) is a certain amount of income related to the cost of caring for and raising a minor child(s) that is deducted from one's annual tax payments.
If you are the legal parent, or have been allocated parental responsibilities (custody) of a minor child(s) you may be able to claim them as your dependents when you file your taxes. The amount of tax-deductible income you receive depends on the number of children you claim as dependents.
Unless you and the child's other legal parent are married or in a civil union, only one of you will be able to claim the child(s) as a dependent on your tax returns.