Walter and Nancy provide 60% of the support of their daughter Irene (age 18) and son-in-law John (age 22). John is a full-time student at a local university, while Irene holds various part-time jobs from which she earns $11,000.
Walter and Nancy engage you to prepare their tax return for 2015. During a meeting with them in late March 2016, you learn that John and Irene have filed a joint return. What tax advice would you give based on the following assumptions?
a. All parties live in Louisiana (a community property state).
b. All parties live in New Jersey (a common law state).