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If I’m 16 and I accidentally filed as an independent instead of a dependent. Do I need to amend my return or can my father just not claim me as a dependent?

 
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4 Replies

If I’m 16 and I accidentally filed as an independent instead of a dependent. Do I need to amend my return or can my father just not claim me as a dependent?

 If your father doesn’t claim you he misses any credits that he would be eligible to receive but if he does  claim you on his return he has to mail it. 

(Thanks @fanfare )

 

If I’m 16 and I accidentally filed as an independent instead of a dependent. Do I need to amend my return or can my father just not claim me as a dependent?

if your father does not claim you, there is no reason to amend your tax return.

If I’m 16 and I accidentally filed as an independent instead of a dependent. Do I need to amend my return or can my father just not claim me as a dependent?

@codyfrazier23 

 

It would be nice for it to be that simple, right?   But if Dad does not claim you, he misses out on the child tax credit that would be worth $3000 to him, possibly the recovery rebate credit of $1400, and perhaps earned income credit.   And....maybe he would also miss out on filing as Head of Household which would make a whole lot more of his income taxable.    All in all.....not good for Dad at all.

 

If your return was accepted, and you got the $1400 recovery rebate credit by incorrectly saying that you cannot be claimed as a dependent, you are going to have to pay that back to the IRS.  And.....when your return has been fully processed, you will need to amend it and send in a Form 1040X that says that you CAN be claimed as someone else's dependent.

 

 

Dad cannot e-file now.   He has to print, sign and mail his return that claims you as a dependent.  That means he will wait longer for his tax refund.

 

The mistake you made is actually a common one.   We see lots of teenagers and students who make the mistake of filing tax returns without realizing what a problem they cause for their parents when they say they cannot be claimed as someone else's dependent.   Hopefully they only make that mistake once.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

If I’m 16 and I accidentally filed as an independent instead of a dependent. Do I need to amend my return or can my father just not claim me as a dependent?

 

@codyfrazier23 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/dependents/help/when-do-i-have-to-answer-yes-to-being-claimed-as-a...

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
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