@avjunior let me ask you this question..and I will be BLUNT ....when the MD audit depart later inquires how your child completed the tax return, when the written instructions state you child is to use Filing Status 6 if the child CAN be claimed on your tax return, do you really think some email from some MD employee is going to trump the instruction booklet?
This is like when Mom said "no", I used to go ask Dad.... and wait to see if Mom later scolds me!
It is YOUR CHILDs tax return - NOT yours!!! They are the ones who will be taking that letter / phone call etc. from Audit.
Are you going to explain this to you child before they sign THEIR tax return - that THEY are not following the instructions?
page 11
www.marylandtaxes.gov/forms/23_forms/Resident-Booklet.pdf
did you ask the State what the approach would be if the child CAN be claimed (but wasn't) or did you simply ask if they weren't claimed? If the latter, did you ask a "loaded question" and received a "loaded answer" that doesn't reflect the true situation. if they weren't claimed and can't be claimed, that is different than weren't claimed but CAN be claimed.
are you going to email back and ask why their response varies with their own instruction booklet? I would.... because I would want my child to trust me with THEIR tax return. 🙂
