How do I unclaim myself as a dependent if I've already filed?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

I should have said I was a dependent but I claimed myself

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.  

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.

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

[BlackMod3]

My dad claimed me as dependent and want to claim myself so I can get stimulus checks that I never got yet

[xmasbaby0]

@BlackMod3 

Your eligibility for stimulus money---now called the recovery rebate credit-- is based on whether you COULD be claimed as someone else's dependent for 2020 and/or 2021.   If your parent could claim you then, you are not eligible now in 2023 for the credit.  It is still based on your circumstances for those tax years.

So....could you be claimed in 2020 or 2021?   If not, then you can file 2020 and 2021 return to seek the recovery rebate credit.  And your father would have to amend his return.   

How old were you in 2020?  In 2021?   Were you a full-time student?   Did your dad pay for over half your support then?  Here are the rules for whether he could claim you then:

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2022 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $4,400 in 2022.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.

[xmasbaby0]

@BlackMod3 Oh...and to clarify in case you are confused about this....there is no federal stimulus money for a 2022 tax return.  The stimulus checks were for 2020 and 2021 only.

[Opus 17]

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@BlackMod3 wrote:

My dad claimed me as dependent and want to claim myself so I can get stimulus checks that I never got yet

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The stimulus was only available on your 2020 and 2021 tax return.  If you were a dependent then, you can't get a stimulus now even if you are no longer a dependent.

On your 2020 and 2021 return, you were required to check the box for "I can be claimed as a dependent by someone else" if you qualified to be claimed, even if you didn't want to be claimed.  If you qualified to be claimed as a dependent, you were not eligible for stimulus payments or rebates.  Qualification to be claimed as a dependent is based on your age, residency, student status, and other factors, as described here.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-501

If you believe that you did not qualify to be claimed as a dependent for 2020 or 2021, you can file a tax return (or an amended return, if you already filed) to claim the stimulus rebates.  However, if someone else claimed you as a dependent, the IRS will open an investigation and send letters to both you and the person who claimed you as a dependent, asking you to provide evidence that you were or were not a dependent.  The person who "loses" the case may be required to pay back any refunds or stimulus payments with interest and penalties for filing an inaccurate tax return.