I need to amend my return to add a dependent. This should increase my return, but the online software doesn't seem to be working? Any help?

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
July 13, 2026
5 replies
84 views

I originally submitted my return without one of my dependents due to filing issues. I now want to add them, which should increase my refund by $500. However, the online software doesn't seem to be working correctly, even an expert called me and couldn't figure out why. I add the dependent, it shows in increase of the amount I should get, but it never adds it to my federal refund or updates. Any help?

TurboTax Online

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Did you do the amendment right and file it? You will still get the first original full refund (and keep it) or need to pay the first tax due. You should not amend or change your return until you get the refund from the original return or your payment has cleared.

The amended return will only be the difference you get back or need to pay. You can confirm this by printing your amendment and looking at the 1040X. Line 18 should be your original refund amount and line 21 should be your additional refund. If you paid on your original return it will be on line 16 (but don't include any penalty on 1040 line 38). If there is an amount owed with the amendment, it will be on line 20.

intuit_b8f107ff459bAuthor

New Member

Thanks! I ammended the return using TurboTax’s automated instructions. When I do so, it increases my child credit from $2200 to $2700, singifying the increase. However, it never actually adds the amount to the federal return, and the picture I’m attaching even shows nothing there?

As a reference: when I tried to file my taxes with all dependents originally, I had a refund of $2700. I had to remove a child due to a conflict, and filed so that my taxes would be submitted. I have had my $2200 return for months. I thought I should be able to refile/amend to add the dependent back now that the conflict is resolved, and the amendment even seems to acknowledge this by showing $2700 as my credit.

I even did a phone call with an expert, who had me try many things that never worked. Eventually they just asked me to try a different computer and try again, which yeilded the same results. Instead of trying a call with an expert again, I was hoping this would yeild better results...

NCperson

Level 15

That $500 is a ‘non-refundable credit’, meaning it can not reduce Form 1040 / line 22 below zero. What is on Line 22 prior to adding the dependent? is that the issue?

intuit_b8f107ff459bAuthor

New Member

I’m not sure if that would be the issue- here’s our filed showing that we only got the $2200 originally, it’s just a bummer if I cannot retroactively receive that credit (and therefore additional refund) when I would have gotten it originally.

NCperson

Level 15

based on the screen shot you provided, my thought is not the reason the credit is not provided.

a few more suggestions:

look at form 8812. do you see the calculating that get to $2700? look at line 14 on this form.
delete the 1040X and the dependent.
redo it.
if that doesn’t work, print off form 1040x, do it manually and mail it in.