topic Why don't my children do not show as dependents? in Deductions & credits

Why don't my children do not show as dependents?

dave-parsons — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 21:17:29 GMT

Using the interview, none of my children are showing as dependents, but they meet all of the 6 criteria. I've quadruple checked. I've also answered the interview questions in every possible combination and there is no scenario that changes them to qualified dependents. Is this a bug?

Re: Why don't my children do not show as dependents?

DoninGA — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 21:25:58 GMT

Look at your own personal information. Did you indicate that You can be claimed as a dependent? If so, that would be the reason, a dependent cannot claim anyone else as a dependent.

Re: Why don't my children do not show as dependents?

NCperson — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 21:26:45 GMT

not a bug - no one else is complaining..... let's go back and review the questions again.....

the one question that trips most people up is the way you answered the question about "does THE CHILD provides more than 50% of his support".....you are to answer "no"

you may want to delete one of the children and re-enter and see what is incorrect....

Re: Why don't my children do not show as dependents?

dmertz — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 03:06:16 GMT

Yes, this is a bug that manifests if the two parents of the child are not married filing jointly. A workaround is to indicate that you have a custody agreement with the other parent.

Re: Why don't my children do not show as dependents?

dave-parsons — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:46:48 GMT

Unfortunately the selection of a custody agreement has no effect.

Re: Why don't my children do not show as dependents?

dmertz — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:55:57 GMT

Since you appear to be using the CD/download version of TurboTax, you can make the adjustments directly on Item H of the Dependency/EIC Smart Worksheet of each Dependent and Nondependent Information Worksheet so as to indicate that you, and not the other parent, will be claiming the dependent. Of course this is possible only if the child otherwise qualifies as your dependent.

You might also be able to do this in step-by-step mode by first deleting the dependent, then reentering the dependent and indicating that you have a custody agreement. Simply changing an existing dependent entry to say that you have a custody agreement won't necessarily automatically remove the indication that TurboTax already recorded indicating that the other parent will be claiming the dependent.