I need to amend my taxes because my parents claim me. How do I do that?

[ellahanke501]

I made a mistake and didn't realize that I claimed myself. My parents taxes were rejected because they still claim me. I am a high school student and live at home. How do I amend my taxes to reflect that?

[DoninGA]

You change your dependency status in the My Info section of the online program.  Just edit your personal information and you will come to a screen labeled Let's check for some other situations and then check the box labeled Another taxpayer can claim me as a dependent on their tax return.

Before starting to amend the tax return, wait for the tax refund to be received or the taxes due to be paid and processed by the IRS.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a current year tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-federal-tax-return-curr...

[xmasbaby0]

When you amend you need to go to MY INFO and click your name.  Go back through the screens to the question that asked if someone else can claim you as a dependent and change your answer to YES --you can be claimed as a dependent for 2024.  And...if you become a full-time college student you can be claimed as a dependent until the year you turn 24--so this is a mistake you will want to avoid going forward.   The mistake you made is very common among high school and college students.

Wait until your original return has been fully processed before you amend, and make sure you have saved a pdf of the original return before you amend. (If you do not save it as a pdf, the amended return will overwrite the original, and the original will be lost forever)

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return -

CURRENT YEAR

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-federal-tax-return-curr...

Your parents do not need to wait for you to amend.  They have to file their own return by mail now.  Or...they might--might--be able to get an IP PIN to enable them to e-file.

Do not expect quick results from amending. It can take four months or more for the IRS to process an amended return.  

You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

For your parents:

MY DEPENDENT SAID HE COULD NOT BE CLAIMED

Your dependent filed a return without saying he could be claimed on your return and your return was rejected?  AFTER his return has been fully processed and he has received his refund, he has to file an amended return that says he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.  Amended returns must be prepared on a Form 1040X.  It takes the IRS at least four  to six months to process an amended return.

 Meanwhile, since your e-filed return has been rejected, you now have to print and mail it in to the IRS.  You will not be able to e-file. You do not have to wait for your dependent’s amended return to be processed.  Remember that when you mail a return, you need to include copies of your W-2, etc. with your return.  Use a mailing service like certified mail that will track it so you will know that the IRS received it.

Or—-another option

GET IP pin in order to e-file if your dependent’s SSN was claimed on another return

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-takes-steps-to-help-prevent-refund-delays-by-accepting-duplicate-de...

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin