Helping son amend tax return

[chris.hodgdon]

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?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

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.  

[chris.hodgdon]

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.

[AmyC]

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

[chris.hodgdon]

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.   

[AmyC]

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.