17 year old claimed himself and got a stimulus

[melissaham]

My 17 year old submitted his taxes and he claimed himself without me knowing. They also asked him if he received a stimulus and he said no, so they sent him one. How do I fix this? I can still claim him as my dependent and I received a stimulus for him already. I have been trying to call the IRS and they keep hanging up on me. 

Thank you,

Melissa 

[xmasbaby0]

What tax year was this for?

Your teenager has to amend his return and pay that money back.   He cannot keep it---even if he shrieks.   Was this for tax year 2020 or 2021?    If he did this for 2021, you are not going to be able to e-file.   Your own return that claims him for 2021 will be rejected when you try to e-file and you will have to file by mail.    That will mean you wait longer for you own refund since it takes the backlogged IRS much longer to process mailed returns.

To return the stimulus:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-the-third-economic-impact-payment-topic-i-r...

And some further information for your child:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/dependents/help/when-do-i-have-to-answer-yes-to-being-claimed-as-a...

[melissaham]

This is for this year. I knew he would have to send it back. I already told him not to spend it. So I can print my return out and mail it to the IRS, without him doing an amendment? Do you know what documents I need to send with my return? I have W2 wages and wages from CashApp and PayPal.

[pptal]

Hi i have a question , so ur son input that he havent received the 3rd stimulus check you did already received it ? I was just asking because im on the same boat thank you!!

[xmasbaby0]

You do not have to wait for him to amend---the Form 1040X he needs is not even available yet--not til the end of February.   You can go ahead and mail your own return.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[melissaham]

Yes. I received a stimulus for him as my dependent. TurboTax asked if he received it and instead of him sayin yes, he said no and they just gave it to him without looking at his age. It could be because he claimed himself. He did this last week and they deposited the money in his account this morning. 

[melissaham]

Thank you so much. I am so used to e-filing. I really appreciate your help.

Melissa 

[DanaB27]

If he can be claimed as your dependent then he will have to file an amendment return Form 1040-X after his return has been processed.  Please see How to amend a tax return for instructions.

You won't be e-file the return if you claim him on your return since he has already filed claiming himself. You will have to mail and print your return. 

[melissaham]

I know he still has to do an amendment. I just wasn't sure if I needed to wait to file my taxes.

[xmasbaby0]

@melissaham No you do not have to wait.   Even if you wait for him to amend, it would not make a difference.  He already put his SSN into the system for this year and your e-file will be rejected no matter when you try.

If it's any comfort---lots of kids do this.  They are naive and inexperienced at filing tax returns and they often say on their own return that no one can claim them (because they do not even know what that means) and they mess up their parents' returns.    We will be seeing many more parents like you during the tax season.  Good luck---hope it does not take the IRS too long to process your mailed return, but be aware it might be a long wait.

[melissaham]

@xmasbaby0 I appreciate your help with this. He was so fast and couldn't wait for me to help him. I always him and he just saw that $1400 and got excited.