If I make a hardship withdrawal from an IRA for tuition expenses to pay for my son's college in a year in which I do not claim him, how do I handle that on my return?

Paying for your child's education, even if the child is not your dependent, is an exception to the 10% early distribution penalty. The distribution is still subject to tax, but not the penalty.

TurboTax (TT)  will complete and submit form 5329, as part of your return, to claim the penalty exception.  This will come up in the TT interview**. If you miss it, type> form 5329 <in the find box.

**The interview will only ask if you used it for education.  It will not ask who's education it was for.