I amended my return to remove a dependent. It got rejected with the explanation that my 1040 dependents don’t match my 1040x dependents. What am I missing?

[morgansagdahl]

This is the error message I keep getting.

F1040X-016 - For each dependent in 'DependentDetail' on Form 1040-X, there must be a corresponding entry in the same position in 'DependentDetail' on the amended Form 1040 with the same 'DependentFirstNm' and 'DependentLastNm' and 'DependentNameControlTxt' and 'IdentityProtectionPIN' and ( 'DependentSSN' or 'DiedLiteralCd') and 'DependentRelationshipCd' and ( 'EligibleForChildTaxCreditInd' or 'EligibleForODCInd' ).

When I try to fix it through TurboTax, it tells me I’m good to go and e-file my amendment. But then it gets rejected again.

[Critter-3]

You cannot e-file an amended return if you change the filing status or dependence exemptions. You must print, ink sign and mail the return in.

[MichelleLO]

Did you list the same dependents on your original return and amended return in the same order? 

[morgansagdahl]

I only had one dependent, my daughter. Her dad wants to claim her instead. So I am trying to remove her as my dependent so that he can e-file his taxes. My amended return keeps getting rejected, even though my daughter is no longer listed as my dependent. And her dad’s return is getting rejected because “someone else claimed that dependent already.” I’m at a loss and starting to think my amendment and his return both just need to be filed by mail at this point. 

[SusanY1]

Your thinking is correct - you will both need to print, sign, and mail your returns this year (your amended and his original).  

[chargers1301]

This is from the IRS website   

https://www.irs.gov/faqs/electronic-filing-e-file/amended-returns/amended-returns

Question

Can I file an amended Form 1040-X electronically?

Answer

You can now submit the Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically using available tax software products. Only tax year 2019 and 2020 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR returns that were originally e-filed can be amended electronically. You still have the option to submit a paper version of the Form 1040-X and should follow the instructions for preparing and submitting the paper form.

[noeckera]

If the IRS doesn't allow electronic amendments to 2021 1040 forms, turbotax shouldn't give customers the option to submit them.

I got the same error and I think the trouble is the result of a bug in the IRS intake code that checks to see if all the entries for the dependent you're trying to remove match.  In my case the value for the variable 'EligibleForODCInd' doesn't match because I'm not eligible for the "Credit for other dependents" if I'm no longer claiming the kid as a dependent.  The amended return gets rejected if they don't match, but they shouldn't match, and you cannot force them to match.

After spending hours with eight(!) different turbotax customer service people, I have concluded that the only option to deal with this is to mail in a hard copy of the 1040-X.