Returns Rejected

[Gidiony95]

Hello, 

I filed my taxes independently and was rejected because apparently, my ssn was used in my parent’s taxes. I did not want to stir up any issues with their taxes and just filed it back as a dependent (I do live with them); however, after looking more into it, I realized I am not a qualifying child and they are actually no longer benefitting from having me in their taxes. I am a full time student, 24 years old going on 25; therefore, I should not be claimed as their dependent. Because of this, I did not qualify for the stimulus check; my parents also didn’t receive one from claiming me. I was wondering if I could still make changes post receiving my tax return, and if so how?? 

Thank you.

[SusanY1]

If your parents provide more than half of your support and you live with them and are a full-time student, you are still their dependent.  Dependents do not qualify for the advance of the economic impact payment. 

If you are not their dependent, you could amend your tax return and mail it in, but it is not likely to result in a payment this year (even if it is processed before the year is over which may not happen since the IRS is not currently processing paper returns.)

For the year 2020, if you provide more than half of your own support, earn more than $4,200, and/or no longer live with them you may no longer be considered their dependent.  

If that is the case, then when you file taxes for 2020 you may qualify for the credit on your tax return at that time which could increase your refund.

[Texas Roger]

If you do not meet the requirements to be claimed by someone else, you can prepare, print, and mail an amended return form 1040X to "uncheck" the box. DO NOT uncheck the box until you start the amended return. Here is a link to help you: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed

Amended returns must be printed and mailed. They can't be efiled. You must print and mail it yourself. In normal times, it takes the IRS about 16 weeks to process an amended return. It's taking much longer now. 

If you file an amended return to claim yourself, you parents must also file an amended return to take you off their tax return. They should have received a $500 other dependent credit that they will have to pay back.

If they don't amend their return, the IRS will come to both you and your parents later in the year asking for documents to support your claims about your dependency. 

An alternative for you is to wait until you file you 2020 tax return and not check the box that you can be claimed as a dependent on that return. The stimulus payment is actually an advance on a credit claimed on your 2020 tax return. You could get it when you file your 2020 return. 

[Texas Roger]

While you would not be a qualifying child because your age was not under the age of 24 at year end, you could still be claimed as a qualifying relative dependent if you made less than $4200 and if they provided more than half your support for the year.

See the requirements for being claimed as a qualifying relative:

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.
2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
3. The person's gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4,200 in 2019.
4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
5. The person must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.