how does my son whom I claimed as a dependent file his taxes. The IRS rejected his return because he was on mine as a dependent?

[tanracing]

How does my 20yo son whom I claimed as a dependent on my taxes file his taxes. The IRS rejected his return because he was on mine as a dependent?

[DawnC]

He needs to mark the box that says he can be claimed by someone else.    The question is in the My Info personal information section.   

[mesquitebean]

If you are the one entitled to claim him as a dependent, then it sounds like your son mistakenly indicated that no one else could claim him as a dependent.   Here are some steps that might help him get back to that question in the son's return and checkmark that someone else can claim him:

• In the son's return in the left menu column go to the MY INFO tab.
• Then you're likely to get a screen "Updated Summary of Your Situation" with a section that says "Your info".
• In that first section on that screen (where it has your name, SSN, birthdate, etc.) click on a blue button REVISIT.
• Then march through the screens (maybe 3 or so) until you get to one that says "Let's check for other situations."
• Lower on that screen right after "state of residence" you should see a section "Select any other situations that apply."
• One of the checkboxes should say "Another taxpayer can claim me as a dependent on their tax return."
• If "yes", then it should be followed by a question "Will this person claim you on their 2025 tax return?"  Yes or no. 
• Continue answering or reviewing until you finish that section and get back to the summary screen.