1) Use Form 4852 or W2? 2) Severance was paid on the same year (2019) as receiving SS. 3) review all the deductions ie. College tuition. Better not claim dependents?

[ashegh99]

May I talk to an expert live about my questions?
thank you

[DoninGA]

See this TurboTax support FAQ for contacting a Tax Expert when using the Live editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/expert-review/help/how-do-i-connect-with-a-tax-expert-in-turbotax-...

[Hal_Al]

 This is a user to user forum. You can very probably get help from this forum by asking a specific question. 

Form 4852 is only used if you didn't get a W-2 (and should have). It's not optional.

Likewise claiming dependents is somewhat  not optional.  You may opt not to claim a dependent, but if they qualify as a dependent, they cannot claim themselves. 

If your income is too high to claim a tuition credit, there is a tricky option to allow the student to claim it, but not the refundable portion of the credit.  He still cannot claim himself.