I am removing my some from my tax return so he can file his own. His return will be filed late. What should he do?

[devinlhardin]

My husband tried to claim my adult some as a dependent bc he lives with us, and we pretty much support him. After going through the steps, Turbo Tax stated that he could not claim my son as a dependent. No problem. He finished the return and submitted it. My son later tried to file his return and it was rejected. Apparently, even though Turbo Tax would not let us claim him, our return reflects that we did. My husband is filing an amended return to remove my son so that he can file his own return. However, the deadline for my son to file that return is in 5 days. Should my son file for an extension? How can he avoid a penalty? This wasn't his mistake.

[MichaelL1 · Accepted solution]

He should file a paper return and mail it to the IRS.  This will avoid any penalties or interest (should he owe money).

The IRS will not have the amended return processed yet, but this will then be a timely return.