I need to change my status from dependent to independent. I filed back in January and everything has already been processed. How exactly do I do it?

[fanfare]

If you are e-Filing 1040-X, the program will handle it.

@lmrk 

[lmrk]

I am changing child tax form from independent to dependent. Do i file amendment on child tax form and wait for it to be amended before mailing parent tax form in? Or should I mail in now? Also, does it take longer now to receive refund or is it pretty straight forward?

[Texas Roger]

If the child is not going to be claimed as a dependent, the child should be removed from the parent's tax return. If the parent's return has not year been filed and accepted, you should be able to efile it now without a problem. The refund on the parent's return should not be delayed. 

The child's return cannot be amended until the amended form 1040X becomes available on TurboTax later in February. The amended return can then be efiled. Mailed amended returns can take up to 16 weeks or longer to process. I don't know whether efiled amended returns are processed any faster or not.

[khlee29]

My daughter e-filed accidentally not checking the "someone else can claim me as a dependent".  I e-filed and was rejected trying to claim her as a dependent. She e-filed an amendment to change the box to "someone else can claim me as a dependent" the same day and accepted by the IRS.  I tried to e-refile the same day and it was rejected again.  Do I have to wait longer or do I now need to mail in my return?

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot e-file this year.   Waiting for your daughter's amended return to be processed will not help you; that may take many months, or even into next year.   Print, sign and mail your own return.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

If it is any comfort, you are joining the big club of parents whose kids have messed them up this way.  They do it all the time.

[khlee29]

Must I include anything when I mail the package to show that she e-filed the 1040-x form to amend her returns to select “someone else can claim me as a dependent”?

[xmasbaby0]

No, you do not have to include anything about your daughter's return with your own mailed return.  Just mail your own return and be prepared for a wait for it to be processed.   It will take considerably longer than an e-filed return.