Error in Federal Personal Worksheet

[PipiR]

I am single and have no dependents. On the Federal "Personal Information Worksheet," it asks if can someone  (such as your parent claim you as a dependent) can claim me as a dependent.  In my case, no one can claim me as a dependent. if I leave the yes or no boxes unchecked, I get an error message and the refund increases greatly, which obviously is what I want. If I mark no, it diminishes greatly. Why can't I leave either box empty?

[DoninGA]

You should have indicated in the My Info or Personal Info section when entering your personal information that you could Not be claimed as a dependent or Not checking the box for being claimed as a dependent. 

That flows to both the Federal Information Worksheet and the Personal Information Worksheet for the Taxpayer.  Boxes on both Worksheets for being a dependent will be checked NO.

[PipiR]

Yes, I have checked, and double checked that I answered no, that I could not be claimed as a dependent by anyone else when I answered those questions. you are referring to  I should be able to leave the yes or no boxes empty, but i continue to get the error message.

[PattiF]

The box cannot be left empty. It is tied into the Standard Deduction section on Form 1040 from the IRS. It must be answered. You won't be able to file your return without answering the question.

If someone can claim you as a dependent, the standard deduction that reduces your taxable income is smaller.

If you claim yourself, more of your income is excluded from being taxed because of a larger standard deduction.

[PipiR]

Exactly. I have no family and no one can claim me as a dependent, so it stands to reason that I should be able to leave both boxes empty, right?

[PipiR]

I am only claiming myself as single person. so I should get the higher standard deduction of $12,500, which appears to be the case, but why does it change depending on the answer of yes or no?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

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@PipiR wrote:

Exactly. I have no family and no one can claim me as a dependent, so it stands to reason that I should be able to leave both boxes empty, right?

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As stated you cannot leave those boxes blank.  They have to indicate NO you cannot be claimed as a dependent.

[PipiR]

Than You for your prompt responses.

[PipiR]

I still have not been able to correct the error message I get if I leave the Yes or No question blank as to whether another tax payer can claim me as a dependent.  Turbo Tax tells me I have to mark either Yes or No, and cannot leave it blank. This question is on the federal 1040 Personal Work Sheet, section II, question number 1.

Since I am 30 years of age, and no one can claim me as a dependent, if I mark No, Turbo Tax reduces the amount I should get back from federal from $1,357and instead, I owe $137.00. There is only one other place in the TT program where it asks if I can be a dependent, and I indicated No.

[KrisD15]

To clarify

What TurboTax program are you using, Online or Desktop?

How are you selecting your answers, through the Step-by-Step interview or directly on the forms? 

Can you look at your 1040 and see what changes, such as your Standard Deduction? 

[PipiR]

I am using the Deluxe TT desk top version. I answered all the personal questions by following the TT prompts in the Step by Step interviews. I have also checked the forms where the answer were transferred to.  They all reflect that I am not a dependent of any tax payer.   My federal standard deduction is $13,800 for a single person. Since I am 30 years of age, I do not qualify, nor am I anyone's dependent.  I should be able to mark the NO box or leave it blank since the question does not apply to me.  But when I mark No, TT drastically changes the amount I would get back, and I end up paying instead.

[DoninGA]

@PipiR As stated multiple times you do NOT leave the dependent question blank.  If you are not a dependent you have to select NO.

Your real question is the amount owed.  What income have you entered on your tax return?  W-2, Form 1099?

Did you enter a Form 1095-A for having ACA health Insurance?  Did you enter Self-Employment Income?  Did you enter Capital Gains, Interest or Dividends?

What is the amount shown on Line 24 of the Form 1040?  What is the amount entered on Line 33 of the Form 1040?

[VolvoGirl]

Since you are using the Desktop program print out the 1040 both before you say No and then after No to compare them line by line.  What lines are different?