topic Dependent or not? in Deductions & credits

Dependent or not?

Poketako99 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:43:21 GMT

In the "You and Your Family" section, there is a question that asks:

"How many months has XXXXX lived you in 2021?

Claiming XXXXX as a dependent involves counting each month they lived with you in 2021.

If your child was away at college, count the number of months away as having lived with you."

I entered 6 months. Because of this, Turbotax indicates that my child can't be claimed as dependent.

However, I discovered (after the fact) in IRS Publication 17 page 29: Temporary absences. Your child is considered to have lived with you during periods of time when one of you, or both, are temporarily absent due to special circumstances such as:
•
Illness,
•
Education,
•
Business,
•
Vacation,
•
Military service, or
•
Detention in a juvenile facility.

Why does Turbotax not allow my child to be claimed as a dependent if they were gone due to education?

Unfortunately, I have already submitted my tax return. How can I correct this and get the deductions and credits I should have been entitled to?

Re: Dependent or not?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 03:27:33 GMT

TurboTax does allow you to claim a student who lived away at school. Unfortunately you answered the question incorrectly. You should have said the child lived with you all year. You can say that for the temporary absence of being away at school.

You will need to wait until the IRS has fully processed your return to amend it with a Form 1040X.

Re: Dependent or not?

Poketako99 — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 03:43:23 GMT

Thanks for your help, but I think I answered the question exactly how Turbotax posed the question. It said "If your child was away at college, count the number of months away as having lived with you." My child was away at college for six months, so that's what I entered.

Re: Dependent or not?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 03:48:56 GMT

But you forgot that there are twelve months in a year? 6 months at school and the other 6 months literally at home? Sorry---you misinterpreted. You will need to amend.

Re: Dependent or not?

Poketako99 — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 04:00:11 GMT

Hmm.....I guess I may have been in a rush to complete my return and misinterpreted the statement. However, wouldn't it make it easier for users if Turbotax said "If your child was away at college, enter 12 months."? Thanks again for your help.

Re: Dependent or not?

AmeliesUncle — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 05:24:41 GMT

I'm looking at an older version of TurboTax, so I'm not sure if it is still the same, but ...

IMMEDIATELY after asking the question about how many months, it has a link for "How do I count?", which shows the additional information, such as being at college.