I’m Withholding The Urge To Roll My Eyes

(I am helping a new associate fill out some new hire paperwork. I double check their paperwork.)

Me: “So, I see here on your taxes that someone claims you as a dependent.”

New Associate: “No, no one claims me as an dependent.”

Me: “Okay, then you will have to change ‘Dependent’ to ‘Single, Head of Household’ so the IRS knows you will be filing your own taxes.”

New Associate: “Do I have to? Every time I claim myself on my taxes, I end up owing money.”

Me: “…Yes. Otherwise, that would be tax fraud…”