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New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 3:07:11 PM

Changing my dependent status on my return

My Mom added me as a dependent on her return (which is correct), but the IRS refused her return because of how I filed. Where do I change that on my tax information.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 3:07:21 PM

 So did you file a return that said no one else could claim you as a dependent and now your parent's return is being rejected?  But really you can be claimed as their dependent?  

Your parents will have to prepare their return that claims you as a dependent and MAIL it to the IRS.  They cannot e-file now.  But they can go ahead and do that without waiting for you to amend your return.

Your part of fixing this is to file an amended return. You have to change the answer you gave in Personal Info when you were asked if you can be claimed on someone else’s tax return. Wait until your return has been fully processed and you have received your refund.  

The form you will need to prepare an amended return is called a 1040X. You amend to say in Personal Info that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent.  Then you print and mail your 1040X.  It will then take 2-3 months for the IRS to process your amended return. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2952222-how-do-i-amend-the-2015-taxes-i-filed-with-turbotax-online

Note:  It is possible that you will need to pay back some of the refund you received.

24 Replies
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:07:12 PM

i need to find more information on how to change my dependent status for 1040x form

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:07:13 PM

need to change dependent status on personal profile on my account

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:07:16 PM

I need to change dependents on a previous year tax return

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 3:07:19 PM
Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 3:07:21 PM

 So did you file a return that said no one else could claim you as a dependent and now your parent's return is being rejected?  But really you can be claimed as their dependent?  

Your parents will have to prepare their return that claims you as a dependent and MAIL it to the IRS.  They cannot e-file now.  But they can go ahead and do that without waiting for you to amend your return.

Your part of fixing this is to file an amended return. You have to change the answer you gave in Personal Info when you were asked if you can be claimed on someone else’s tax return. Wait until your return has been fully processed and you have received your refund.  

The form you will need to prepare an amended return is called a 1040X. You amend to say in Personal Info that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent.  Then you print and mail your 1040X.  It will then take 2-3 months for the IRS to process your amended return. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2952222-how-do-i-amend-the-2015-taxes-i-filed-with-turbotax-online

Note:  It is possible that you will need to pay back some of the refund you received.

Level 2
Jun 15, 2019 1:14:15 PM

Our situation is the opposite.  My 26-year-old son made just $1,000 working and lived with us the entire year. When he completed his return he stated someone else (my husband and I) could claim him as a dependent. He filed on time and received a nominal refund. My husband and I filed an extension, but now as we are working on preparing our taxes, we find we should NOT claim him as a dependent.  I know we can just remove him from our personal section, but should he file a 1040X? He'll get a bit more back from the IRS and, more importantly, his return would be corrected, right?

New Member
Sep 23, 2019 7:00:36 AM

I need to amend that I can be claimed as a dependent by someone else but don’t see where to do that on the 1040x form.

Level 15
Sep 23, 2019 7:05:35 AM

Start the amendment process then click on MY INFO and edit yourself to make the change.

Returning Member
Oct 29, 2019 11:44:51 AM

I don't see any section on the 1040X form "Personal Info". In fact, there is no place for us to correct the mistake of not checking the "someone can claim you...." box. Please advise!! Thanks

Returning Member
Oct 29, 2019 11:48:20 AM

What if it's after 10/15 and you cant use the online software. I am just using a blank 1040X and there isnt anywhere on that form to make this change! Do I just explain it in Section III? Thanks

Returning Member
Oct 29, 2019 11:50:32 AM

What if its after 10/15 and you cant use the online software to amend? The actual form 1040X doesnt include anywhere to correct this mistake. Do we just explain it in Section III??

Level 15
Oct 29, 2019 11:54:22 AM

I don't see any section on the 1040X form "Personal Info".

@tedenaclark ...and you never will. You can not do this in forms mode. Start the program and after the program starts, and *before* you click on your return to open it, click the AMEND button near the bottom of the screen.

Note to all:  An amended tax return can not be e-filed. The IRS says so. You *HAVE* to print it, sign it (both the 1040 and 1040X if both print) and mail it yourself to the IRS. AN amended return can take up to 16 weeks to process. If amending the return will result in you receiving a refund then the absolute only way the IRS will pay that refund is by mailing you a paper check to the address shown on your return. There are no other options.

 

If you also need to amend a state return, then the same holds true for the state. But understand you will ***NOT*** mail the state amended return to the same place you will mail the FEDERAL return. When you finish amending and print, included in that printout will be an instruction sheet telling you what you need to include in the package you will be mailing to the IRS, as well as the address you will mail it to.  If also amending a state return, then a *physically* *separate* instruction sheet is printed for the state.

 

 

Returning Member
Oct 29, 2019 11:57:11 AM

Turbotax wont let me use the online amend because I used the free version which only allows you to amend until 10/15. I have to use the paper form and no where on the form does it have anywhere to correct this issue. Do I just explain it in Section III??

Returning Member
Feb 3, 2020 7:31:08 AM

I filed my grandson's taxes and said he was not claimed on any other return but it was rejected and said he was claimed on his parents filing. His parents did not think he was claimed but when they checked he was because they still pay his mediacal insurance (he is 19)  I am trying to go back in and change that info so I can refile but cannot find where I make that change;  when i tried to do it on the program it said it had been fixed and time to refile but I was not asked if I wanted to change to being a dependent on someone elses filing. How can it be fixed? And I can't find where to look to see if it's been changed. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2020 9:30:14 AM

To change your grandson's dependent status on his return, follow these instructions:

  1. Select Personal Info,
  2. Select Continue,
  3. Select Edit next to your grandsons name,
  4. Question No. 3 is the Can someone else claim you question.
  5. Correct.  

You may now re-file your grandson's tax return.  

Returning Member
Mar 27, 2020 7:05:04 PM

This is NOT accurate.  The IRS is NOT rejecting.  It is ONLY Turbo Tax that is doing so and they will intentionally give you inaccurate info!!!!  So,don't use them for both your "dependent" and yourself!!! And calling them is pure BS on their part.  They will LIE to you about it....and then you are essentially screwed.  Good luck with that!!!!  I switched companies that I file with because we had already filed for my son...a few days ago.  

Level 2
Apr 2, 2020 12:09:35 AM

When I filed my adult sons return I thought we could claim him as a dependent. When I was later doing our return, I learned we could not claim him.   I went back into TT and changed his filing status under amend return.  It changed his Michigan return, however there was no option to submit this change to the IRS- only Michigan.   Is this going to stop him from qualifying for the stimulus check? He is laid off due to covid.  What should I do?  I tried calling the IRS but there is no one available to speak. 

Level 2
Apr 2, 2020 12:12:04 AM

Did you get an answer on this? I’m in the same boat. Now I worry it will affect his stimulus

Expert Alumni
Apr 2, 2020 7:39:10 PM

Yes. It may not have made a difference to the calculations on the amended return if his income was such that it did not change the amount of his standard deduction or change any tax credits. However, you still need to make the change with the IRS. 

 

Coronavirus Tax Update

 

What do I need to know about the coronavirus stimulus package?

 

IRS Economic impact payments: What you need to know

 

 IRS Coronavirus Relief

New Member
Apr 4, 2020 9:23:49 AM

I am in the same boat.  Our daughter thought we could claim her when she filed her first tax return, but we cannot.  I have been trying to work with 1040-X for 2019 but it's confusing.  It would be great if those of us who are trying to help our young adults amend their 2019 returns could quickly help them so they will be able to recieve the stimulus check that they need.  Any instructions would be so helpful.

Thanks!

Expert Alumni
Apr 4, 2020 11:36:55 AM

To amend your filing status, you go to the Personal Info in TurboTax. 

 

In this section you go to Filing Status and click Edit.  Then change information to indicate that you cannot be claimed on another person's tax return.

 

Once you completed your changes you can print, sign, date and mail your tax return according to the instructions that print out with the return.

 

Amended returns cannot be efiled.

 

@Mbear

Level 2
Apr 4, 2020 1:00:55 PM

Thanks! I did that before posting and it only changed my Michigan status.  It triggered no change in federal and gave me no option to print or mail off a 1040x.  Only affected Michigan and allowed me to electronically transmit the amendment. 

Is the change of dependency status something the irs will require for my son to get his stimulus?

Expert Alumni
Apr 4, 2020 3:30:36 PM

If your son is listed as a dependent, then he will not get a stimulus payment mailed to him.

 

The stimulus payment is a 2020 tax credit that is being paid in advance. He should be able to file a return for 2020 and receive the tax credit next year. 

 

If you want to try to get your son the credit this year, I would amend your tax return. Use the download version of the amend software and force the program to print a 1040X. Make sure you put the reason for amending the return in the space provided. I do not know whether this will work to get him the stimulus this year. It takes 6 weeks for a typical amended return to be processed at the IRS. 

 

@Hfischer05

Level 2
Apr 4, 2020 4:18:48 PM

He was not claimed as a dependent on my tax return.   The issue is that I THOUGHT he could be claimed, so when I did HIS taxes, I selected “could be claimed as a dependent by someone else”.  
it was after his return was accepted that I did my return and found he could not be claimed.  

I went back into the software and CHANGED the status in TurboTax which resulted in a larger refund for our state.  However, it triggered NO CHANGE on the Federal and therefore did not trigger a 1040x.   What I’m asking is if I need to maybe fill out a 1040x by hand and have him mail it in?  Or does he not need to do anything because he wasn’t actually claimed as a dependent. 

I just need instructions. There is no one at the irs available to help and their help desk can only offer all the links I’ve already read.