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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 8:42:12 PM

Can I change the dependent claim even though I had already filed?

Can I change the dependent claim so someone can claim me?

0 20 8512
20 Replies
Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:42:14 PM

You cannot change or add anything on the return that you just e-filed.  It is too late, just like when you put an envelope in a US mailbox

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 mail it in. You will need to use a form called a 1040X. You cannot e-file an amended return.  They have to be mailed, and it takes at least 2-3 months for the IRS to process an amended return.  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

****************

 So did you file a return that said no one else could claim you as a dependent and now your parent's return is being rejected?  But really you can be claimed as their dependent?  

Your parents will have to prepare their return that claims you as a dependent and MAIL it to the IRS.  They cannot e-file now.  But they can go ahead and do that without waiting for you to amend your return.

Your part of fixing this is to file an amended return. You have to change the answer you gave in Personal Info when you were asked if you can be claimed on someone else’s tax return. Wait until your return has been fully processed and you have received your refund.  

The form you will need to prepare an amended return is called a 1040X, which becomes available sometime in February.  You amend to say in Personal Info that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent.  Then you print and mail your 1040X.  It will then take 2-4 months for the IRS to process your amended return. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2952222-how-do-i-amend-the-2016-taxes-i-filed-with-turbotax-online 

Note:  It is possible that you will need to pay back some of the refund you received.

Level 1
Mar 11, 2020 5:24:53 PM

Hi I faced a similar problem on my taxes and I was just wondering do we also need to file another form out to amend our state return or is the 1040X file enough to amend both our federal and state taxes? Also is there any additional documents needed to be filed by my parents for their own taxes? And will it be considered late if I filed the amended taxes on March 11 if it takes 2-3 months to process the amended form? Thanks!

Level 15
Mar 11, 2020 5:50:32 PM

The 1040X only amends your federal return---it does not do anything to your state return.  If you need to amend state:

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2816055-do-i-need-to-amend-my-state-if-i-amend-my-federal

 

To amend only a state return:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2824532-i-need-to-amend-my-state-return

Level 15
Mar 11, 2020 5:51:58 PM

@tiffangelia 

 

I SHOULD HAVE SAID I COULD BE CLAIMED AS A DEPENDENT

Did you say you could not be claimed as someone else’s dependent, but it turns out your parent(s) can claim you?  Now your parents’ return is being rejected when they e-file, or it will be rejected.  That means your parents must print, sign, and mail their return.  They can still claim you as a dependent, but they cannot e-file now.

  Not even if they wait for you to amend, so they should not wait for you to do that.

Your part in fixing this is to wait until your return has been fully processed and you have received you refund.  THEN you need to file an amended return, called a 1040X, to change the way you answered that question in Personal Info about whether you can be claimed as someone else’s dependent.  You will have to print and mail the 1040X—it cannot be e-filed. You might need to repay some of your refund.

Level 1
Mar 11, 2020 6:00:57 PM

Ok so my parents can go ahead and file their printed tax by mailing it before I amend my tax return is that right? Do my parents need to give the IRS a note saying anything about the situation so that they can give my parents the refund without waiting for me to amend my tax or will they need my amended tax before my parents can get the refund?

Level 15
Mar 11, 2020 6:04:03 PM

No your parents do not need to write a note--the IRS would not read it anyway.  They just need to file on paper and mail it.  And you need to amend and change the way you answered the question in My Info that asked if you could be claimed as someone's dependent.

Level 1
Mar 11, 2020 6:10:12 PM

So will the refund take longer for my parents to receive since it will take 2-3 months for the IRS to process my amendment?

New Member
Apr 15, 2020 3:33:06 PM

What if I said I can be claimed but now my parents are telling me I won't be claimed? Does that still require it to be amended, it wasn't rejected. 

Intuit Alumni
Apr 15, 2020 3:42:11 PM

Yes, you will need to amend your return if you put you were a dependent and you are not. Please follow the instructions below to amend.

How do I amend my 2019 TurboTax Online return? - Community

New Member
Apr 19, 2020 9:33:48 AM

I started amending my 2019 return to say I could not be claimed by someone else, because I mistakenly said that I could.  My refund amount has not changed.  Is this really necessary, and if so, can you tell me why?  Will the stimulus package be affected by this checkbox being incorrect even though no one else claimed me?

New Member
Mar 31, 2021 8:54:47 AM

Thank you for your advice!

I could not find however, the portion of "You amend to say in Personal Info that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent." in 1040X. Could you please let me know where the information is in 1040X?

Expert Alumni
Mar 31, 2021 10:38:41 AM

You can click in the dark border area on the left side of your screen for My Info and under Your Personal Info number 3 is A few other things we need to know.  Here you will find Someone else can claim me as a dependent on their tax return. 

 

New Member
Apr 3, 2021 7:42:02 AM

I'm also in the same boat.. So I amended my federal taxes on line and within an hr they already took the money out of my bank account.. I have to send in my amended state tax return but It was a 0 balance so I owe them nothing and they owe me nothing..  Since they have already taken my refund back can my mother File her tax returns electronically as me as a dependant or will the still reject her tax returns?  Can she try to see if she gets rejected by electronically filing or will that cause more problems if rejected?  Thank You..

Expert Alumni
Apr 3, 2021 9:48:29 AM

There is no harm in her trying to electronically file her return.  If it is rejected, then it can either be changed and filed again or filed by mail if necessary.  

 

Based on the information you shared, the Federal return appears to have been processed.  Since your state return must be filed by mail, you could consider sending your amended return along with your mother's return if she were to file her state return by mail due to it being rejected.  

 

@jabrd23

New Member
Apr 5, 2021 9:36:47 AM

Hi,

 

My mother claimed me on her 20 TR- realized it was wrong since I am 19 and fixed it. Am i still able to e-file if i wait for hers to say accepted? OR should I file by mail? Unsure what to do as my return keeps getting rejected, and if I fix my info to say "Someone else claimed me" I owe roughly $1,600.00.

 

Any help and comments would be appreciated! 

Expert Alumni
Apr 5, 2021 10:03:50 AM

If your mom, fixed the error before she filed, you should be able to e-file your return once her return is accepted.  

 

If your mom filed an amended return to correct the error, it may take quite a while for the IRS to update their system.  So you should mail in your return now.

 

@cammazz18

New Member
Apr 5, 2021 12:53:15 PM

Thanks Irene, She filed her return already- then went back to H R Block and had it amended. She said my name is not on it and her return is accepted. I just tried putting mine through and it is rejected, so guessing i have to send by mail? 

Expert Alumni
Apr 5, 2021 1:18:58 PM

Yes -- You will have to mail in your return this year.

New Member
Mar 28, 2022 2:18:30 PM

Can I change the dependent claim to allow someone else to claim me even though I have already filed?

Expert Alumni
Mar 28, 2022 3:31:26 PM

Yes, but you will need to amend your previously filed return.  While you can amend your return in TurboTax, you will need to wait for your previously filed return to be accepted by the IRS.  Once accepted, then you can begin the process to amend your return.  Because you will have to wait to amend your return, the person who wants to claim you as a dependent will also have to wait for you to complete your amended return.  If the person who wants to claim you as a dependent files too soon, their tax return may be rejected given the conflict with your return over the issue of dependency.  

 

To amend your return using TurboTax online, log back into your TurboTax account, and at the bottom of the Tax Home page, select Your tax returns & documents.  Select the year you want to amend (i.e., 2021), then select Amend (change) 2021 return. 

 

@gcblijk6255