Can I amend my taxes to unclaim a dependent?

[ShrekHR11]

I need to unclaim my dependent

[VolvoGirl]

Yes but you have to wait for the IRS to fully process your return and you get the first refund.  And the amended return won't be ready until Feb 15.

May I ask you need to take off a dependent?  Did their return reject because you claimed them?  

[xmasbaby0]

Not yet.

Did you click that big orange button that said “Transmit my return now?”  If you did that, you cannot do anything to fix it yet.  You have to wait for the email that tells you if your return was accepted or rejected. The IRS will begin to accept/reject e-files on January 29, so your email will come on or after 1-29.

You cannot change or add anything on the return that you just e-filed, nor can you stop it.  It is too late, just like when you put an envelope in a US mailbox on the corner.  The IRS does not allow you to take it back.

If you left out a W-2, a 1099G, or a dependent, or a 1099 etc…DO NOT change your return while it is “pending.”  The changes will go nowhere.

Now you have to wait until the IRS either rejects or accepts your return.  If your return is rejected, you will be able to go into your account and make the necessary changes to your tax return and re-submit your return. 

 If the IRS accepts your return, however, then you have to wait longer until it has been fully processed and you have received your refund.  THEN you can prepare an amended tax return and e-file or mail  it in. You have to be able to work from that return exactly the way it was when it was e-filed originally.  You will need to use a form called a 1040X.

  Meanwhile, DO NOT go in and start changing anything on your return in the system, or you will make a mess for yourself.  Sit tight and wait until you see what the IRS does with the return you just e-filed

The Form 1040X you might need becomes available in late February,  But wait until your return has been processed.

Meanwhile......because you have already put the SSN of the "dependent" into the system, they cannot e-file this year.   They will have to print, sign and mail their return.  They do not have to wait for you to amend.  They can mail the return when they are ready.   Amending your return will not enable them to e-file.

[DoninGA]

Yes, you can remove a dependent from your tax return.  Just note that any tax credits you received for the dependent will have to be paid back on the amended return

You will have to wait for the IRS to either Accept or Reject your filed federal tax return.
If the return is rejected you can make the necessary changes and e-file again.
If the return is accepted you will have to amend your original tax return. An amended return, Form 1040-X, can only be printed and mailed to the IRS if the original tax return was not e-filed. The IRS will take up to 16 weeks or longer to process an amended tax return.

Before starting to amend the tax return, wait for the tax refund to be received or the taxes due to be paid and processed by the IRS.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-change-correct-return-a...

[AudBarFarReg]

Thank you for the tip.

Can I ask further about "They will have to print, sign and mail their return.  They do not have to wait for you to amend.  They can mail the return when they are ready. " ? 

If the parents' amendment didn't go into their system yet (not available till Feb 15th 2024 per Turbotax) before the dependent's mail-in return is received, wouldn't the dependent's return be rejected because they have already been considered as a dependent for 2023 in the system? Would it result in the best outcome if the dependent mail his return after the amendment by parents are submitted?

Thank you,

[CatinaT1]

If you are mailing both returns, it will get sorted out at the IRS. You can mail them both at the same time.