Your son doesn't qualify as a dependent

[Charles0121]

Just putting in data for 2020.  TT is telling me my 14yo son isn't a dependent.

He was last year -nothing has changed.  he has no income, us citizen, lives with me 12 months of the year.  his mom can't claim him.  Bug in the program?

[xmasbaby0]

We do not know what exactly you entered--we cannot see your screen.  Check all of the entries you made in My Info for him--you might have put something in incorrectly.  See if you entered the correct date of birth, see how you answered the weird question about whether he paid for over half his own support (say no), see if his SSN is correct.  You say his mother cannot claim him---explain please. You say the other parent cannot claim him.  Did you answer a question about a 8332 agreement?  How did you answer it?

[NCperson]

check all your inputs closely... there are some checkmarks that may have been inadvertently checked (look underneath the social security number in MyInfo?????) - no one else on these boards are complaining so most probably 'operator error' :-).   There was a similar situation last week (can't find the post, but turned out to be an inadvertent check box checked)

[VolvoGirl]

If you can't figure out what is checked or answered wrong then completely delete him and re enter him as a new dependent.  That may clear something out.  

[Charles0121]

Well it was operator input, though idk if it was operator error.  Mom (per court order) doesn't claim the kids as dependents.

I remarried this year and TT asked if the "legal parent" was me or both of us.  I put me.  That apparently kicked them out as dependents.  I changed it to both of us and now TT is happy.  

Is there some issue with a parent-stepparent married filing jointly not allowing dependents which are related to one partner?

[NCperson]

it comes into play when, if in this case, the Bio-Mom has legal rights.   Suggest going back and look at the questions that get asked if you say only you (and not your wife) has legal rights.....