i believe in your initial post, you expressed some disappointment in your son deciding to strike out on his own rather than live in a property you owned. In this post, you and possibly your wife, seem to have moved on from that position. I think that’s truly an important familial benefit — regardless of whether your son and his wife accept the down payment help. Sometimes it’s hard to accept our adult children’s decisions when we think we “know best.”
Technically some withhholding is right, but the daughter is also correct in not forcing the issue and risking a relationship breach. The money involved here just isn’t worth the fight.
At the Goodwill tax prep, I’ve done a lot of taxes for people in that range. I’ll bet they don’t owe a lot. Think about it — they get the standard deduction for married over 65, and each qualifies for the extra $6000. So they’re probably paying g taxes on the little remaining. I doubt they’re risking a major penalty.
Comments
i believe in your initial post, you expressed some disappointment in your son deciding to strike out on his own rather than live in a property you owned. In this post, you and possibly your wife, seem to have moved on from that position. I think that’s truly an important familial benefit — regardless of whether your son and his wife accept the down payment help. Sometimes it’s hard to accept our adult children’s decisions when we think we “know best.”
Post: Helping Adult Children, pt. 2
Link to comment from March 1, 2026
Technically some withhholding is right, but the daughter is also correct in not forcing the issue and risking a relationship breach. The money involved here just isn’t worth the fight.
Post: Do some seniors make life more difficult for themselves?
Link to comment from February 21, 2026
At the Goodwill tax prep, I’ve done a lot of taxes for people in that range. I’ll bet they don’t owe a lot. Think about it — they get the standard deduction for married over 65, and each qualifies for the extra $6000. So they’re probably paying g taxes on the little remaining. I doubt they’re risking a major penalty.
Post: Do some seniors make life more difficult for themselves?
Link to comment from February 21, 2026
If it wasn’t about you, why all the “I” in the post?
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026
good response
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026
I can’t see why this post is getting all the down votes. It contains a lot of truth.
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026
The points Kathy makes here are totally true. I can’t believe why she’s getting down votes.
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 17, 2026