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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 8:06:56 PM

Tax Year 2016: I have a few specific questions before I finish filing

is there a diff between filing single vs divorced, I usually file single, but am actually divorced since 1993
also, can I use my son tanner, he was in school 2016, graduated in june, and started work end of june, but before graduating I was responsible for him

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1 Replies
Level 5
May 31, 2019 8:07:00 PM

Filing Single is an actual filing status and any questions about being divorced would be related to the ability to claim a dependent.  You be able to either file as Single or Head of Household, if you qualify.

Also, if your son paid for over half of his own support (see below) during 2016, then you cannot claim him.  The software does a really great job of determining who is a dependent.  Just make sure to read all the blue text links.

You can read more about who qualifies to file as Head of Household, and who is a qualifying person at this link:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288637


Who Can I Claim as a Dependent?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/5187060


Support includes:

  • Food
  • Lodging (even if your mortgage is paid off)
  • Clothing
  • Education (including the GI bill)
  • Medical and dental care (including insurance and supplementary Medicare premiums)
  • Recreation
  • Transportation and similar necessities

Support does not include:

  • Life insurance premiums
  • Funeral expenses
  • Federal, state, or local income taxes or Social Security and Medicare taxes paid on a person's own income
  • Scholarship grants
  • Income made by a disabled person in a sheltered workshop