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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 10:20:39 PM

Can I amend my taxes to remove my daughter as a dependent so that her father who I am unmarried to but live with can claim her?

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1 Best answer
Level 7
May 31, 2019 10:20:40 PM

Yes, you can.  You can begin by following the amendment instructions below to get started.  Click on the year and follow the prompts from there.  During the amendment process, you will want to go back into the Personal Info section and edit your dependent selection.

However, please note two things - 

  1. You should wait to file an amended return until you have actually received your first refund (or if tax was due, wait 21 days from your file date).  The IRS recommends this to ensure that your original return doesn't contain any other errors that would require you to amend again. 
  2. Amended returns take up to 16 weeks to process.  This means that the father is going to have to paper file his return this year as the e-file system will not update in time for him to file.  (Right now his return will be rejected if he tries to e-file with your daughters SSN on his return).

24 Replies
Level 7
May 31, 2019 10:20:40 PM

Yes, you can.  You can begin by following the amendment instructions below to get started.  Click on the year and follow the prompts from there.  During the amendment process, you will want to go back into the Personal Info section and edit your dependent selection.

However, please note two things - 

  1. You should wait to file an amended return until you have actually received your first refund (or if tax was due, wait 21 days from your file date).  The IRS recommends this to ensure that your original return doesn't contain any other errors that would require you to amend again. 
  2. Amended returns take up to 16 weeks to process.  This means that the father is going to have to paper file his return this year as the e-file system will not update in time for him to file.  (Right now his return will be rejected if he tries to e-file with your daughters SSN on his return).

New Member
May 31, 2019 10:20:43 PM

What if he already had filed as well? Can he amend his to be able to claim her?

Level 7
May 31, 2019 10:20:45 PM

Yes, so he will just amend his return to include her - the opposite of what you are doing.  He will still have to paper file his amended return, but he will get whatever his original refund was supposed to be now.  You should both still wait until you receive your first refunds.  And then file the amendments.

Level 1
May 31, 2019 10:20:46 PM

Hello same situation here. Only that i e-filed and got rejected and mom got approved. She is going to amend and take off her dependant. So i can claim the dependant.  I just wanted to know how long should I wait to paper file my taxes after she amends hers?

New Member
May 31, 2019 10:20:47 PM

did you get an answer for this? ^^  How long should you wait to file after the amendment is filed?

Level 1
May 31, 2019 10:20:49 PM

I didnt get an answer. But what i did was still file my taxes without my dependent. Then wait till we both get back our refunds. Then we are both going to amend afterwards. Seemed alot easier than having to wait.

New Member
Feb 6, 2020 9:39:23 AM

Did you have any trouble removing or adding a dependent when you both amended?

New Member
Feb 6, 2020 10:46:30 AM

Did this workout for you better? im going through the same situation i want to know if everything worked out for you @grc_4111 

Level 1
Feb 6, 2020 2:49:47 PM

Yes it worked out fine. After we got our refunds, we amended with no trouble adding or removing our dependent. Worked out good. 

New Member
Mar 10, 2020 8:40:47 AM

When you amended your taxes and received your refund, did they later send you another refund for your dependent?

New Member
Apr 17, 2020 2:59:37 AM

How long did it take for you to amend your return?

New Member
Apr 18, 2020 3:27:03 AM

Can I amend an error on my taxes so that my daughter who is 22 is not claimed as a dependent  so that she can receive a stimulus cheque due to COVID-19?  

Level 3
May 2, 2020 8:58:40 PM

@Denparr I am thinking of doing the same. Have you had any progress on an answer? What are you going to do?

Employee Tax Expert
May 4, 2020 7:03:32 AM

Yes.

 

But be aware as IRS operations are limited due to Covid-19, it may take a while to process your amended returns.

IRS operations

 

Also, her dad will not be able to electronically file his return since your amend return will take a while to process. If he does receive an error with his e-file, he may also have to mail his return in to claim your daughter.

 

Attached are instructions on how to prepare an amended return. 

How to amend my return? 

Level 3
May 4, 2020 7:11:42 AM

@JotikaT2 I put my 23 year old son on my return.  He receives SSI. I don't believe I got much credit for him. Will he still be able to get his stimulus check or will I have to amend my taxes? Do zi need to register him under the non filers portal? Will I have to wait until my amended return is accepted or he is fully removed? Thanks

Employee Tax Expert
May 4, 2020 8:37:43 PM

If you claimed him as a dependent, he will not be eligible for a stimulus check.  You would need to amend your return to remove him as a dependent.

 

Yes, you will also have to wait until your amended return is processed to register him using the Non-Filers portal.  If you try now, you will get a rejection stating he was already claimed as a dependent if your return has been filed.

Level 3
May 7, 2020 2:15:09 PM

@JotikaT2 If I amend it now, do you know how long it will take? Also, will they direct deposit it then or will it be for next year? How will it work? Thanks

Employee Tax Expert
May 7, 2020 4:56:36 PM

Unfortunately, no.  Everything is still in the air with the Covid-19 and things reopening slowly.

 

The IRS is set to issue stimulus payments throughout 2020.  But if for some reason your dependent does not receive the stimulus payment, when they file their tax return next year, they will be asked how much of a stimulus payment they received.  If it was less than they were entitled to, they will receive a credit on their tax return.

 

Stimulus payment frequently asked questions

Level 2
May 28, 2020 2:48:49 PM

I have a similar situation I need help with. If someone used to be a dependent but was no longer eligible for 2019 but the their name was put down as a dependent with the box left unchecked to qualify them for any credit on someone's return. No credit was received for that dependent either because the box was left unchecked beside the dependent name. But their name was apparently saved from previous years and the tax pro knew they wasn't no longer a dependent but yet  left the name on the form but didn't check the box. Not being aware of the issue and assumed since no credit was giving for the dependent it was done correctly. But looking on tax forms the dependent name was left under dependents with box unchecked to qualify for credit. So how do you file an amend to remove the dependent names when no credit was giving for the dependent? One would think since no credit was received that the person wasn't considered claimed as a dependent and I was told that by several people. But that has to be the reason they didn't receive a stimulus check. They get SSI only don't file taxes. Are they still considered a dependent when box isn't checked and no credit giving? If so how do you file an amend to remove them cause they are no longer a dependent.Any help would be greatly appreciated 

Level 3
May 28, 2020 4:20:42 PM

@12renea4 I am in a similar situation.  From what I was told, I will have to amend my return and remove them. Once they are removed, they can go on the site and go the portal to get their stimulus check. Unfortunately,  we have to wait because you can only mail in amended returns and they are not processing those at the moment.  Hopefully this helps. 

Level 2
May 28, 2020 6:00:02 PM

Thank you for answering me back! So I'm guessing we can go ahead and do the amend and mail it to get that part out of the way. Then once the IRS start processing them hopefully it won't take long. But going ahead a starting it would be better,I think! Also I've seen many who finally received their income taxes so seems that maybe they're getting some tax work too. The IRS stated most have received their stimulus check with like 10 million left and considering how many they had to do,that's definitely seems like making great progress. I still can't believe they left all dependents out 17 and over that is so wrong. Obviously whoever claims them is in a financial spot themselves right now just like getting $500 for 16 yrs or younger. Don't they realize it's no different regardless of age people still need the money to either help provide for dependent or give the adults dependent their own check. Sorry that's just how I feel and it's not a one size fits all thing either. Just unblock how they done by leaving ones in this group completely out.

New Member
Feb 2, 2021 9:54:54 PM

Hello I made a mistake by file with my dependent when her father was supposed to file her he hasn’t filed yet but I did can I amend it before I get my refund so he can e-file with her as his dependent??

Intuit Alumni
Feb 3, 2021 8:23:54 AM

@Atrinidad22

 

Please see this Turbo Tax FAQ on when you should amend. When to amend

 

To amend your return, wait to see if your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS or state. If rejected, you can correct and re-send your return. If accepted you should wait until your return has been processed and you receive your refund or confirmation that any tax due has been paid. If you file an amended return while your first return is being processed it can cause extended delays for both returns if two returns are in the system at the same time. In addition, if the IRS makes any change on your original return, you might end up having to amend the amendment. Amended returns can only be mailed - allow 8-12 weeks - can take up to 16 weeks (4 months) for processing.

 

This Turbo Tax FAQ will show you how to amend your return. How to amend (change or correct) a return you already filed. How to amend

Level 1
Feb 13, 2021 10:19:51 AM

I’m currently in the same situation, I’m the mom and got approved, dad got rejected. I am going to amend after I receive mine so that he can get the credits for our daughter but I’m curious in your situation did mom have to pay anything back after amending? @grc_4111