Dependent status change

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 25, 2021
1 reply
6 views

Like for 2019, I claimed my daughter (age 19) as a dependent in 2020. After I filed my return in Feb 2021 (it was accepted) , I discovered her refund is way higher if I don't claim her. But I tried to file her return where she isn't a dependent but it was rejected because I claimed her as a dependent on my return. So, I need to amend my return and not have her as a dependent. But I can't do that until I get my refund, then I can file my amended return. My question is should I mail in her return now or wait and e-file her return after my amended return is filed? However, my amended return won't be processed for 16 or so weeks after I am able to send it in so will her return still be rejected even if I mail it in? If I should mail in her return, when should I mail it?

JoannaB2

Level 9

When you received your refunds, you can amend your 2020 income tax returns and delete your daughter as dependent.

Your daughter may file as individual to claim her refund, if any, and recovery credit, if qualified, but she can't e-file her income return. Both of the returns, your (1040X form) and daughter's 1040 form, must be mailed to the IRS. You may have to amend your state income tax, and your daughter has to mail her state income tax as well..

ChrisM6Author

Level 2

Thanks for your answer. But I read that for 2020, form 1040x can be filed electronically. Why do you say I have to mail it in? Also, can I mail her 1040 return in now or do I have to wait until I get my refund and file my 1040x? Before my 1040x is processed, won't the IRS reject her return because I claimed her and she says she wasn't claimed?