@Mschristalbasey
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For a dependent that is entered as such on your tax return, there is no way to stop someone else (parent, Ex-spouse or girl/boyfriend...or anyone) form claimign them improperly if they have the proper SSN/birthday for that dependent.
IF you are blocked from e-filing, because someone else used them as a dependent first, then you msut switch to mail-filing and take your paper work to the Post Office amend mail it all in....and let the IRS sort it out.
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Occasionally, a (working) dependent in College, who you can rightly claim as your dependent......occasionally, they will accidentally indicate that no one can claim them as a dependent. IF they do that wrong, then that will block your claiming them too....So....if you have a college dependent, you need to talk to them ahead of time about the importance of them indicating that someone else will claim them as a dependent on their own tax forms.....or better yet, sit down with them and help them prepare their own taxes together with you.
____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*
