There was a mistake made on my return. Dependent information entered incorrectly.

[kaci-breeden]

Months of dependent living with husband and self was entered incorrectly. It was 2 months, not all or half of the year.

[SeanE1]

Did you already file your return or are you still working on it?

[kaci-breeden]

I already submitted it and it has been accepted.

[xmasbaby0]

Two months?  Did you have a baby in 2016?

[kaci-breeden]

My niece, whom I have full custody of was placed in foster care at the end of January.

[SeanE1]

It sounds like you are worried about your filing status.  You only had dependent living with you for two months?  Did you file as Head of Household?  You also mentioned your niece going to foster care in Jan 2016 or 2017? Was she the dependent that you are referring too?

[kaci-breeden]

I am worried. Yes, 2-3. She was in foster care in 2016. I did my normal married filing jointly. She is the dependent I am referring to

[SeanE1 · Accepted solution]

Okay, thank you for giving me that information.  If you filed MFJ in 2016, and claimed your niece as a dependent when she only lived with you for 2-3 months and you did not provide more than half of her total support for 2016, you cannot claim her as a dependent.  Do not worry, all you have to do is to file an amended return for 2016, when the software is available sometime in mid February.  It will  not cost you any money and it is better to be pro-active in the eyes of the IRS then it is to not amend and then hear from them years after the fact.  If you have any other questions please let us know.