topic Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

kdepaul34 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:22:44 GMT

My 20 year old full time student son just amended his return because he forgot to check the box that someone can claim him as a dependent. Should I go ahead and file? File at the last day? Get an extension and file AFTER his amendment is approved? Any guidance is appreciated.

Re: Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

ee-ea — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:14:39 GMT

File on paper now. It is the least hassle.

Re: Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

MinhT1 — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:15:08 GMT

The best solution now is for you to file by mail, as the IRS sometimes can take much longer to process your son's amended return to allow you to e-file.

Re: Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:17:12 GMT

Sorry---you have just joined the large club of parents whose ability to e-file has been blocked by their child's mistake.

The ONLY way you can file this year claiming your son is to file by mail. No amount of waiting for him to amend will help you e-file, even later. He has put his SSN into the system. Any attempts to e-file another tax return using his SSN will be rejected this year. Print, sign and mail your return that claims him.

He will have to wait for the IRS to fully process his return, then amend. He has to go to My Info, click his name and change the way he answered the question that asked if someone else can claim him. He has to say 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...

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Re: Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

kdepaul34 — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:23:11 GMT

Hey thanks!! You are actually the person who replied to my question on how to amend his taxes. I appreciate you!!! Snail mail it is. Next year I will drop his taxes off with mine and save a headache. Thank you so much!!!!

Re: Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

bens330229 — Thu, 16 May 2024 01:43:03 GMT

I believe there is a bug in the Turbotax software wizard that my son used. He answered the questions correctly but it was not indicated on the form. The question of "Can someone else claim you as a dependent?" was actually never asked. He was only able to indicate he is single and has parental support. Turbo tax has a bug that seemingly is impacting many of us. They don't make it easy to amend either.

Re: Child did not check someone else can claim him as a dependent

VolvoGirl — Thu, 16 May 2024 01:45:41 GMT

On his return there should be this question....