Who is identified as the physical custodian of a child for tax purposes?

For tax purposes, the physical custodian of a child is defined as the taxpayer with whom the child resides for a majority of the year. This means that the custodial parent is typically the one who provides a home for the child, thus making this person eligible to claim certain tax benefits, such as the Child Tax Credit or the Head of Household filing status.

The residency requirement is crucial because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) looks at where the child lives when determining custody for tax benefits. This typically aligns with the practical realities of daily life, where the custodial parent is responsible for the child's day-to-day care and needs. Therefore, the correct answer clearly highlights that it's not necessarily about the income level or legal documents, but rather about the actual living arrangement of the child.

The other choices, while potentially relevant in different contexts, do not capture the essence of tax custodianship as the choice does. The income level of the taxpayer or legal guardianship does not dictate physical custody for tax purposes; what matters most is with whom the child spends the most time living.