18 year old...EIC

[Eli]

Parents have a total of 6 kids. Parents filed their return elsewhere claiming 3 kids. Oldest son is 18 & earned $1900.00+ The parents want to take the remaining 2 kids and include them on the oldest son's return. Definitely they can not be dependents. I also think they would be the qualifying children of their parents. Is my way of thinking correct here?

[jainen]

>>The parents want to take the remaining 2 kids and include them on the oldest son's return<<

I suspect they have seen this procedure in some financial magazine. Explain to them that it used to be possible to do that, but Congress tightened the rules for this year. Don't be shy--undoubtedly their other tax preparer told them the same thing.

[Eli]

Thanks, Jainen! Thats what I told her, but I wanted to get confirmation. I will give her a quick call to reiterate.

Thanks again!

Eli

[jainen]

>>I will give her a quick call to reiterate.<<

Don't forget to offer to amend the joint return to add the other exemptions, while getting the big kid his refund. I would say something like, "Apparently you weren't comfortable with your other tax preparer's explanations, so I would be happy to review your whole return for free." Your review, of course, would include pricing it out as well below the competitor, and a reasonable quote for doing the new work.