Dependent Error on federal return

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
February 9, 2024
1 reply
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I am getting an error in my federal return. In the Personal Worksheet, Part II, if I leave the box blank that I am not anyone's dependent, I get the error. I am single, 33 years of age and I am not a dependent of anyone else, nor do I qualify to be a dependent of anyone. Turbo Tax will not allow me to leave the box empty. The amount I get back from federal increases if I leave this box blank, but decreases if I don't. I want to leave it blank.

xmasbaby0

Level 15

Sorry---you have to pick "yes" or "no" to the question. There is a box on your Form 1040 that must be checked as to whether you can be claimed as someone else's dependent or not. If no one else can claim you as a dependent, you click NO.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

PipiRAuthor

Level 5

Yes. I understand that, however, when I pick NO, MY Federal tax liability increases by $1,500

Is there a way to avoid that? Why should my tax liability increase merely because I am not anyone's dependent?

SteamTrain

Level 15

Well, my desktop software is using Std Ded 12,250 max or a single adult dependent, age 78 or so.

Not sure 12,250 max is even right for a teenage dependent.....seems like it should be 13,850???

(assuming one is using the 2023 software)

......maybe that is a software error. I haven't put in a teenage test file yet.

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(edited...12,250 not 12,500)

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But tried a teen dependent and it's 13,850.

Now to start a 65+ old adult again from scratch.

Interesting...put in a NEWLY created test file for an adult 77 Year old ....as a dependent....earning 20,000 wages...and he got the full age 65+ 15,700 std Ded. (But yeah maybe can't be a dependent with 20k income.)

BUT

My other already existing adult test file (age 78), I switched that individual to being a dependent, that shows 12,250 Std Ded (~100k of income though) (again, not really eligible for being a dependent)

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Still, those folks ignoring the dependent question could well be just seeing a change in the Std Dedcution...either rightly or wrongly.

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*