Amendment Return Accepted w/out Dependent

[TbTxUser2000]

My daughter wants to file independent so I amended my file and it was accepted.  Her filing continues to reject her e-filing because it says someone claimed her as a dependent.  Does this just need time to update or does she need to do the ID verification or just file by mail now?

[xmasbaby0]

She has to file by mail.   Waiting for the IRS to process your amended return will not help her.   

It is interesting that you say that she "wants" to file independently ----the rule is that if she CAN be claimed as someone else's dependent she must say on her own return that she can be claimed.   So......it is not her "choice"--she has to play by the rules.   Does she meet the criteria to be claimed as a qualifying child or qualifying relative?

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2024 tax return as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

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're 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 (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $5050 in 2024.   (Not counting Social Security)
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.

Related Information:

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

[TbTxUser2000]

She is eligible both ways, she is under 24 as a full-time graduate student working and supporting herself more than 7 month in the other state.  She was a full-time undergraduate student the first 5 months of the year by the parents.  The status change determines in-state vs out-of-state tuition for her.  This is why she "wants" to claim as independent on her return and I amended my to remove her as a dependent.  Only issue it it won't let her e-file now.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

She will not be able to e-file.   Her SSN is now in the system and that is not going to change this year.   The only way for her to file and say she cannot be claimed as someone else's dependent is to file it by mail.  

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.