Number of months dependent lived with you in 2023 stuck on 6

[oefelein1]

Number of months dependent lived with you in 2023 stuck on 6 want to change to 0. Tried logging out of TurboTax, rebooting machine, deleting the number on the TurboTax Form and it always stays at 6.

[DianeW777]

That is very unusual and I can appreciate your experience.  Let's try this approach and if you continue have the same experience please update here.

In your situation, you should first , clear cache and cookies.  It handles many issues that seem nonsensical on a regular basis due to pieces of information stuck in the background.. 

• Close your TurboTax return first.

Watch to be sure you are selecting 'all time' as example.  Do not use selections like 'last hour' for those browsers that give  you options.

• How to clear your cache

Once this is complete open your return and select My Info to check the number of months again for your dependent.

[oefelein1]

We did clear the cache after closing Turbo Tax as suggested. I am using the desktop version on a MAC. We also tried deleting the original file and starting all over entering "0", rebooting the machine, changing the number on the Form and other things too. The number of months selected for "How many months did your child live with you always reverts to six no matter what. What can be done to fix this?  Thanks

[MarilynG1]

Have you tried Deleting the dependent in the MY INFO section?

If this is your child you are claiming as a Dependent, they need to live with you over half the year, so 'months lived with you' needs to be 6 or more.  It can't be 0.

If this is another person you are claiming as a Dependent, they need to live with you all year. 

If this is your child and you are NOT claiming them as a Dependent, but for Earned Income Credit only, they need to live with you over half the year. 

Here's more detailed info on Claiming a Dependent and Qualifying Child for EIC. 

[oefelein1]

My child does not live with me. Her mother and I never married and live apart but her mother signed an 8332 Form so I could claim my daughter this year.

[MonikaK1]

In TurboTax Desktop, though the interview screen does change the number of months to "6" if you enter "0", if you switch to Forms Mode and look at the Dependency/EIC Smart Worksheet, it shows "0" as the number of months the dependent lived with you if that is what you entered. 

TurboTax Desktop will also show the dependent on the Form 1040 if you answered the interview questions indicating that you are claiming the dependent under a legal agreement with the other parent.

See this TurboTax tips article for more information about Form 8332.