Child's return didn't have dependent box checked our return rejected....

[kevin-ish]

Our son filed with intuit online before us and said he answered "yes" to the questions on TurboTax online that he could be claimed by someone else, but the box didn't go through as checked, because when we filed our return through our purchased TurboTax software on 4/15/24, we were rejected due to his SS# being primary on another return.  Our son filed an amended return immediately and since we didn't owe additional taxes for 2023 and due a refund, we weren't worried about interest or penalties for ours getting processed in after the deadline, we chose to wait until his amended return was processed to e-file.  Though since it's been over 16 weeks and his federal return still hasn't been processed, (interstingly his State of CA has!) and now reading these posts that ours would never go through e-file process that we've been waiting for, couldn't we just purchase software for e-filing through another e-file service, such as HR Block, where his SS# wasn't entered previously, wouldn't ours go through e-file that way since his SS# isn't entered in their system?  Thank you for your help!

[Bsch4477]

It’s the IRS that recognizes the problem. 

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry no.  The IRS will reject it again.  You need to print and mail your return this year even if he amends.  Amending wont release his ssn. 

[kevin-ish]

Thanks for your response.  Though we had asked that of the general IRS help-line when this first happened (who by the way are no help... won't tell you anything) when we didn't know what to do and was informed that his SS# "may" just be in the TurboTax system, though we chose not to purchase another e-file method at that time in case it was false info assuming his amended would go through quicker and we could still e-file ours, didn't know amending didn't remove SS# for e-filing then. 

Our concern then for printing our behemoth and mailing it, which we see is recommended to mail certified, is if you're it's in the overall IRS system, and his amended return still hasn't been processed, our return would just reject, wouldn't it?  So we'd probably need to wait until his is amended is processed to avoid another possible rejection?

It looks like there is another option...in reading another post it appears we could go ahead and e-file with TurboTax removing him, so that we would get the lion's share of our refund and then once we know his return is amended we would file an amended return, like a couple pages, to re-claim him and recoup the $500 we'd lose by removing him on this initial return.  Sounds like the best option for us.

[xmasbaby0]

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. Waiting will not help you.   You can only file a return claiming your dependent by mail now.   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.

For your dependent:

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 they amend —The dependent needs to go to MY INFO, click their name, and go to the question that asked if they can be claimed as someone else’s dependent.  The answer needs to be YES.

[SteamTrain]

@kevin-ish 

And when your print out to file by mail...be sure to use the Filing copy choice....only for the initial PDF.  (though during the print/filing process that should be the main choice).  Depending on your situation, that might hit 5-20 pages or so....but should not be a "behemoth".

That is just the tax return forms that are to be sent to the IRS, along with your W-2 forms and other forms showing withholding.   

But a Behemoth???  Yeah, also save a PDF copy for your records,  with a different name, that contains a lot of backup worksheets that the IRS doesn't want sent to them, but you want to see the details of what you've entered.  That PDF selection is a separate selection, either during the print/file process, or accessing that separate option from the "Print Center".  Don't print out that huge PDF, but make backups on a USB flash drive.  I take a second copy of that file on a USB to my bank safe deposit box once a year...just in case some disaster happens at home that wipes out everything