Well-- that was a mistake. You cannot claim children who are NOT related to you as your own qualified children (even if you think of them as "pretty much mine") You could only claim them as qualified relatives if they lived with you all year and you paid over half their support. In that case you could get the $500 credit for other dependents for them, but not the child tax credit or earned income credit. You also cannot claim them as qualified dependents to file as HOH.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed?...
A 1040X cannot be e-filed. It must be printed and mailed. It will take about 3-4 months for the IRS to process an amended return. It is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it, like UPS or certified mail, so you will know it was received.
Wait about 3 weeks from mailing and you can check the status of your amended return:
https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1
https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908543-do-i-need-to-amend
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2566895-what-does-it-mean-to-amend-a-return
IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:
https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3113432-who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent
Am I Head of Household?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household
WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?
You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2018 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:
Qualifying child
• They are related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
? No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
Qualifying relative
• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year.
• They made less than $4,150 in 2018
• You provided more than half of their financial support.
**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.**
