I entered all the requested information, and the system says it does not have enough information to determine if my son is a dependent. What gives?

[scanlonconsult]

It just keeps telling me to review the submitted information, but doesn't show any missing parts or errors.

[DoninGA]

Go back to the My Info section of the program and delete him as a dependent then then re-enter.  Carefully review each screen as you re-enter the information.

[scanlonconsult]

Yeah, I did that a few times.  Doesn't work.  Also, skipping SSNs for dependents creates an alert even though it says it's optional.  So much for easy taxes!

[Vanessa A]

You may need to delete your son, then clear your cache and cookies then re-enter him.  

[DoninGA]

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@scanlonconsult wrote:

Yeah, I did that a few times.  Doesn't work.  Also, skipping SSNs for dependents creates an alert even though it says it's optional.  So much for easy taxes!

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How old is your son?  Is he a full time student?  Does he live in your home for over one-half of the year?  Does he provide for over one-half of his own support?  When entering his Social Security number (required) make sure that you do Not check the box labeled "not valid for employment".

[scanlonconsult]

I answered all those questions.  He is 16 now, lives away from home in a boarding school.  He does not work and is very much a dependent.  Someone suggested deleting him and clearing cookies in the cache, whatever that means.  At this point, about half my kids are dependents and the other half have "insufficient information" or whatever, despite answering all required information.  Funny enough, one child is 21 and still qualifies as a dependent.  None of this makes any sense.

[DoninGA]

@scanlonconsult This occurs once in awhile when entering a dependent.

Just go thorough and verify your answers, may sound a little dumb but here goes -

Makes sure you selected that he was your child. make sure that his date of birth is in the correct format MM/DD/YYY, make sure that you indicated he is a full time student, make sure that you indicated that he does Not provide over one-half of his own support, make sure that you indicated that he lived in your home for the Whole Year (away for education is considered living in your home), make sure that you indicated that no one else in the home also supported the child, make sure you indicated that he was not married, make sure that you did not check the box labeled "not valid for employment" when entering his SS number.