topic My 18-year-old filed her tax return without claiming herself as my dependent. She will file an amended return. When can I file as head of household on TurboTax? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

My 18-year-old filed her tax return without claiming herself as my dependent. She will file an amended return. When can I file as head of household on TurboTax?

fendleyliz — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:27:34 GMT

Is there a specific sequence I need to follow (e.g., her amended return is accepted on TurboTax and then I can still file hoh before April 15th? I want to resolve this asap without losing money. She lived with me and I supported her for over 6 months in 2023.

Re: My 18-year-old filed her tax return without claiming herself as my dependent. She will file an amended return. When can I file as head of household on TurboTax?

DoninGA — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:22:30 GMT

You can file the 2023 tax return now with her as your dependent and Head of Household filing status.

However, you will have to print and mail your tax return. It cannot be e-filed since a tax return with the dependent's Social Security number has already been received by the IRS.

The IRS will process your tax return as filed.

The amended return will take at least 20 weeks or longer for the IRS to process.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for how to print a tax return for mailing when using the online editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/printers-printing/print-mail-return-turbotax-online/L5bwuqXGy_US_en_US?uid=lsqae9nr

Re: My 18-year-old filed her tax return without claiming herself as my dependent. She will file an amended return. When can I file as head of household on TurboTax?

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:27:38 GMT

Sadly, you have just joined the club of parents whose kids messed up their ability to e-file.

MY DEPENDENT SAID HE COULD NOT BE CLAIMED

Your dependent filed a return without saying he could be claimed on your return and your return was rejected? AFTER his return has been fully processed and he has received his refund, he has to file an amended return that says he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. Amended returns must be prepared on a Form 1040X. It takes the IRS at least four to six months to process an amended return.

Meanwhile, since your e-filed return has been rejected, you now have to print and mail it in to the IRS. You will not be able to e-file. You do not have to wait for your dependent’s amended return to be processed. Remember that when you mail a return, you need to include copies of your W-2, etc. with your return. Use a mailing service like certified mail that will track it so you will know that the IRS received it. Your return claiming your child has been blocked from e-filing this year.

For your dependent:

When your dependent amends----they need to go to My Info and change the way they answered the question that asked if they could be claimed as someone else's dependent. The answer should have been YES.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-change-correct-return-a...