Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 3
posted Mar 11, 2020 11:51:39 AM

Helping son amend tax return

This is a different question from what I asked in other section.  He's in the military and this was his first year filling a complete return on his own (no longer a dependent).  Well he goof and marked himself as still being a dependent, and we have already changed that on his amended return, but my question is about having supported himself or not.  

 

There is the question about whether he provided more than half is own support for the year.  I would believe this needs to be yes, but he thinks no, since the Army covers his barracks and a lot of his food, etc.  But I tried to explain to him that really falls under his job and since he had a job all year, he should mark yes that he provided more than half is own support for the year.  Is that correct?

0 5 1131
1 Best answer
Level 15
Mar 11, 2020 6:55:20 PM

Yes, Mom or Dad, you are correct.  He needs to say that he cannot be claimed as a dependent and that he provided his own support.  

5 Replies
Level 15
Mar 11, 2020 6:55:20 PM

Yes, Mom or Dad, you are correct.  He needs to say that he cannot be claimed as a dependent and that he provided his own support.  

Level 3
Mar 12, 2020 12:22:47 PM

That's is what I thought, but he did bring up a very interesting point about the Army "supporting him", I was like, "It doesn't work that way". but I just need a little confirmation.  Thank you.

Employee Tax Expert
Mar 12, 2020 12:31:33 PM

Your son is providing his food and shelter through work. He is supporting himself. Be sure to thank for his service for us!

Level 3
Mar 12, 2020 12:45:53 PM

I will thank him.

 

Sometimes he makes simple things (not saying taxes are simple) a little more complicated.  I understand his concerns and thoughts.  This was his first year to be filing on his own and not as a dependent and he wanted to get a jump on getting his return done and refund in hand, LOL.

I told him, after he told me he had finished, are you sure you did it right, then I started asking him questions about his 1099-INT from his bank, his 1099-DIV from some investments he made last year and his contribution to his ROTH IRA and he said he did not do any of those things, so I told him "well you're going to have to do this all over again with an amended return.  Next time don't jump so fast to get it done".  LOL🤣, Kids, love them but sometimes we still have to help them.   

Employee Tax Expert
Mar 12, 2020 12:54:02 PM

Yes! Be sure not to file the amended until the original return is settled and he has his refund. Do mail the return with tracking to ensure safe delivery.