Missing 2008 Tax Form
As I was requesting my father's 2008 tax form from the CPA, I was informed that my father did not list me as a dependent in 2008. I was out of the country, on the 11-month trip, during that time. Prior to 2008 I had never filed taxes on my own and my father had always listed me as a dependent. For some reason, he decided since I was not in the country for most of the year, that he would not list me as a dependent.
When I returned, I was listed as a dependent in 2009, and filed taxes on my own in 2010 for the first time.
My question is: When the IO asks to see the previous 5 years of tax returns, can I simply explain my case and plead ignorance to the rule? Or will I have to back file taxes in 2008 even though I made no income?
As I was requesting my father's 2008 tax form from the CPA, I was informed that my father did not list me as a dependent in 2008. I was out of the country, on the 11-month trip, during that time. Prior to 2008 I had never filed taxes on my own and my father had always listed me as a dependent. For some reason, he decided since I was not in the country for most of the year, that he would not list me as a dependent.
When I returned, I was listed as a dependent in 2009, and filed taxes on my own in 2010 for the first time.
My question is: When the IO asks to see the previous 5 years of tax returns, can I simply explain my case and plead ignorance to the rule? Or will I have to back file taxes in 2008 even though I made no income?