Preparer: Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone comes along and opens your eyes.
Preparer: Hello, Ms., ah???
Sunshine: Cassidy, Sunshine Cassidy. I know I don’t have an appointment, but I sensed from your aura that you would be free.
Preparer: How can I help you?
Sunshine: Well, I want to know if I qualify for the EITC. See I have two adopted dogs, 4 cats, three gerbils, a son, daughter and foster child, all living with me.
Preparer: Full house. Are you married?
Sunshine: Legally separated for 18 months now. When my husband moved out, he said I have issues with saying no. Anyway, with so many mouths to feed, I could really use the extra money.
Preparer: Interesting. Can I interest you in a seat?
Sunshine: I am seated.
Preparer: Excellent, do you have employment income?
Sunshine: Yes, $39,000 last year.
Preparer: Any other income—home business, part-‐time job, interest?
Sunshine: Just interest-‐-‐$500.
Preparer: How old are you and your children?
Sunshine: Son-‐-‐13, Daughter—11; and according to the Mayan calendar, I’m uh, 40.
Preparer: Does your husband provide financial support for the kids or claim them on his taxes? Do you file joint or separate returns?
Sunshine: No support, he’s unemployed. I file head of household, and my husband does not claim the children.
Preparer: And your foster child?
Sunshine: He’s 19, he goes to our local community college.
Preparer: Do you have a court order for him to live with you?
Sunshine: Yes.
Preparer: And did your children and foster child live with you more than six months of last year?
Sunshine: Entirely with me. As does my brother; he’s permanently disabled, and his stepdaughter, she’s 10, and my parents. It’s a little crowded, but you can’t say no to family, right?
Preparer: Do your parents provide support for the family?
Sunshine: A little for groceries. And my brother gets a small Social Security check. I pay the rent, the utilities, pretty much everything.
Preparer: Where is the mother of your brother’s stepdaughter?
Sunshine: She travels on business. She and my brother are divorced, and he loves the kid, so…
Preparer: I know, it’s hard to say no. From what you’ve said, you may qualify to claim the EITC for your son, daughter, foster child and brother. But not your parents or your brother’s stepdaughter.
Sunshine: And the pets?
Preparer: Seriously? No.
Sunshine: Well, at least some help is on the way.
Preparer: Oh, you’re not there yet. Make an appointment with me or another qualified tax preparer. And read Publication 4717 to become familiar with the questions that we by law must ask you, as well as the documentation you must provide to verify your status as head of household and to claim tax deductions and credits, including the EITC.
Sunshine: Well, I can’t say no to that. I’ll be giving you a call. And thank you.