In 2020, for tax year 2019, turbotax disallowed me head of household status due to my live in 20 year old child filing her own income tax return how do I fix this?

[Laura31]

She is defined as a qualifying child by the IRS how does turbotax fix last year's return?

[xmasbaby0]

Well--- you and your 20 year old have a mix-up as to whether she can be claimed as a dependent---this happens a lot with "kids" who think they are independent because they got a paycheck.

But does she fit the criteria to be your qualifying child or qualifying relative?  Was she a full-time student in 2020?   or did she have less than $4300 of income?    If she does not meet the criteria to be claimed as your dependent then you will not be able to file as HOH.

Am I Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household

If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your filing status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

If your daughter made a mistake and should have said on her own return that she can be claimed as a dependent, then unfortunately for you----the only way you can file now is to print, sign and mail your own return.   You will not be able to e-file a return this year if you are claiming her----her SSN is in the system now.  She will have to amend--but that process takes months and will never catch up this year---you print and mail.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

•They are related to you.

•They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

•They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or   Mexican resident.

•They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

•They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

  •      They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

•They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

•They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

•They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

•They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

•They lived with you the entire year.

•They made less than $4300  (not counting Social Security)

•You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

•Does a dependent have to live with me?

•What does "financially support another person" mean?

•Can I claim a newborn baby?

[ColeenD3]

You will have to amend your 2019 return and correct the error in the questions you answered.

Your child must a Qualifying Child for you to claim Head of Household.  2 The term qualifying child is defined under Dependents Table 4 Pub 501

Below are the questions you are asked to determine dependency and other child related benefits.

The screens can be tricky. Basically, if the question applies to residence, it pertains to Head of Household, Child Care and EIC. If the question is about claiming the child, it has to do with dependency. This is mainly used when two divorced parents are splitting benefits, but the questions are the same for anyone.

Dependency Questions/Non-custodial parent

What's Megan's relationship to you?

We know Megan is_, but we have to ask: Did she pay for most of her living expenses?

Do you have an agreement with Megan's other parent about who can claim her?

Is Megan's other parent claiming Megan per your legal agreement?

Are you letting Megan's other parent claim Megan for 2020?

Head of Household Questions/Custodial parent

What's Megan's relationship to you?

How many months did Megan live with you in 2020?

Where did Megan spend the most nights in 2020?

Did a relative live in your home and help support Megan?

[xmasbaby0]

@ColeenD3 @Laura31 I just re-read this----Thank you Coleen----I missed that the user was talking about her 2019 return--not 2020.   Duh.....

[Laura31]

My daughter is a qualifying person. No one claimed her as a dependent, the IRS tax laws for 2019 defined her status. She is not married, 20 years old, and I pay for more than 1/2 of her living expenses, regardless of where she lives. Turbo Tax missed this status last year, and does not have this status for me to choose this year. Missing this update to tax law is a major flaw for Turbo Tax. Not only do I now have to amend last year's taxes, I cannot proceed with 2020.

On the first Turbo Tax screen my status, single with qualifying person as Head of Household, does not exist.

TurboTax does not have updated tax status and information. If you missed this one, and it's huge, I'm really worried about what else Turbo Tax missed. After 8 years I have to go somewhere else more accurate. I guess I'll do them myself, I won't do worse.

[Laura31]

Yes, my child is under 24 (she's 20), yes, she's a full time college student, she lived with me all year is unmarried no one else can claim her as a dependent, I paid more than 1/2 of her living expenses, and I am older than she is, all of the status for me to file Head of Household are met.

Turbo Tax dropped the ball. The status Head of Household with qualifying person (or child) does not exist. 

Yes, I will have to file an amended tax return. I will have to it looks like, independent of any help from TurboTax misleading me last year and withholding this information.

My status, Head of Household with qualifying person (or child) doesn't exist as a choice this year, 2020, either. Looks like I will have to file elsewhere, and from the amount of detail paid to the original question, looks like I can't do worse.