topic After filing 2020 return in After you file

After filing 2020 return

dvanders1 — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 18:45:34 GMT

We only had US income for part of the year before moving to Europe, where we pay European college tuition.

Re: After filing 2020 return

ToddL99 — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 19:08:08 GMT

If you are US citizens or resident alien, you are subject to US tax on all your income, world-wide, and must file a tax return.

A resident alien is an individual that is not a citizen or national of the United States and who meets either the green card test or the substantial presence test for the calendar year.

Moving to Europe to attend college does not change your US tax filing responsibility

Re: After filing 2020 return

dvanders1 — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 20:15:09 GMT

Thanks for your response. We already filed our taxes with the kids as dependents and received a refund. Just wondering if it will cause problems to file an amended return now to remove them as dependents and let them file in the US for themselves.

Re: After filing 2020 return

ToddL99 — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 20:38:57 GMT

It should not cause problems if you amend your return to remove them as dependents so they can and file in the US for themselves, but don't rush things - amend your return as soon as possible but have the children wait as long as is reasonably possible before filing for themselves.

See How do I amend my 2020 return? for instructions on amending your return.

The children will have to file their returns by mail since you have already submitted a return that included their SSNs - efiling is not an option once a SSN has been used on another return.

The longer they wait to file, the less likely there will be a conflict with IRS records of your earlier return. This is especially true since the IRS is so far behind in processing 2020 returns, and paper returns are much slower to get processed (and have records updated). They may want to consider filing an extension to make sure your amended return is processed before their returns are submitted.

See How do I file an IRS extension (Form 4868) in TurboTax Online?