TurboTax online interview does not address shared custody for separated or divorced parents

[Jason Cray]

Hello,

If you are a parent sharing custody, the interview does not guide you through relevant questions about claiming the eligible dependent credit. It simply states that you need to agree with your spouse about who is claiming for the year in question.

Here the software should ask the question and guide the tax payer whether they want to claim the dependent credit this year, and should keep information about the dependent on file year over year so it doesn't have to be reentered.

If you are a parent paying child support, the interview also does not ask if this is the case.

Here the software should ask if the tax payer is paying child support, if they are, the eligible dependent credit should not be available, however other deductions should be, such as medical expenses. The software has a bug where if you do not claim the dependent credit, you are no longer given the opportunity to enter deductions you do have the right to claim according to CRA and provincial authorities.

This is a basic need that all separated tax payers require and it's frustrating that Intuint has not addressed it. 

[TurboTaxVeronique]

It has never been possible to separate the claims for eligible dependent credit in TurboTax. And yes, it is recommended that you agree with the spouse who is claiming, always making sure you're eligible to claim this credit.

I you are a parent who receive child support, in Tax profile section - 1st page, you have to select the related option (see screenshot).

If you are a parent who pay child support, also in Tax profile - 3rd page, you have to select the related option (see screenshot).

In both situations, during the interview, TurboTax will ask you additional questions and you'll have to enter more information. Everything is available through your Tax Home (on the left side menu).

We understand the navigation is different in TurboTax Online this year and we will all have to adapt to this new look.

We thank you for your feedback and for choosing TurboTax.

[Jason Cray]

True that it has never been possible to do as I suggested. I'm saying that it should be possible.

CRA confirms that while the eligible dependent can only be claimed by one parent in each tax year, and then, only by a parent who is not paying child support, either parent can in fact, whether or not they have the eligible dependent claim, claim medical expenses, child care and other deductions.

Unfortunately, TurboTax only guides the tax payer through those deductions if they confirm that they have an eligible dependent at the beginning of the interview. What it should do instead is guide the taxpayer through the entry of those deductions, in case they are applicable.

[TurboTaxVeronique]

Thank you for your feedback, we value your opinion and have shared this information with the proper TurboTax team.
 

Thank you for choosing TurboTax.

[Jason Cray]

Thank you