Why is Turbo Tax telling me I do not pay 50% of living expenses for my dependent even though I answered that I did?

[jdschild]

My fiance and I live together and she is unemployed and only pays for groceries and her own clothes, while my income covers our mortgage, taxes, etc., substantially more than 50% of living expenses. TurboTax is telling me to file as Single because I do not pay 50% of living expenses for my dependent. Does this get corrected later on as I enter more information?

[xmasbaby0]

Sorry but you cannot use your GF as a qualified dependent in order to file as Head of Household.  You need a dependent who is related to you in order to file HOH.    If your GF earned less than $4400 in 2022 and lived with you the whole year, you may be able to claim her for the $500 credit for other dependents, but not for 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 marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4499708-what-is-the-500-credit-for-other-dependents-family-tax-cre...

[GeorgeM777]

No, go back and review again the information you entered regarding your fiancé.   If you are using TurboTax online, you need to go back to the My Info section.  If you are using TurboTax CD/download, then you need to go back to the Personal Info section. 

Given what you stated, it appears your fiancé would qualify as a qualifying relative and thus can be claimed as a dependent on your return.

A qualifying relative must meet the following:

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $4,400 in 2022.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

@jdschild

[xmasbaby0]

@GeorgeM777 I agree that the user may be able to claim his GF as a qualifying relative and get the $500 credit for other dependents, but a girlfriend cannot be a qualified dependent for Head of Household filing status--which is what the user seems concerned about.

[jdschild]

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, I was thinking about HOH but the links you included were super helpful in clarifying that my fiance, despite qualifying as a dependent, does not qualify for HOH

Appreciate your help!