My return has been rejected because my son forgot to check that he can be claimed as a dependent. How do I fix it?

[ee-ea]

You file on paper  and he  amends. You will wait for your refund several months.

[DoninGA]

He will have to amend his tax return to include he can be claimed as a dependent.  Amending his return will still not allow you to e-file.

You will have to print and mail your tax return since the IRS has already received a tax return with his Social Security number and not a dependent. 

See this TurboTax support FAQ for how to print a tax return when using the online editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/printers-printing/print-mail-return-turb...

[jshammond3]

Can I mail it in any time or do I have to wait until his is completely amended?  How long does it take to get my refund?

[DoninGA]

You can mail it in at any time.  A mailed tax return will take 4 weeks or more for the IRS to process.

[jshammond3]

Will my refund be held up by my son’s amended return?  Does his amended return have to process first?

[xmasbaby0]

Kids do this all the time, and parents suffer for it---sorry.

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.  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.

[jshammond3]

Will my refund be held up because of his return?  Or will the IRS process it normally?

[DoninGA]

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@jshammond3 wrote:

Will my refund be held up by my son’s amended return?  Does his amended return have to process first?

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No, his amended return does not have to processed first.  You will receive your tax refund from the IRS after your tax return has been processed.

[jshammond3]

Should I include an explanation of what happened with my sons return when I mail mine in?

[xmasbaby0]

@jshammond3 No, you do not need to include an explanatory note.  The IRS has seen this millions of times.   Just mail your return.    Expect a longer wait for your refund.

[jshammond3]

Will my return be held up for 16-20 weeks until his amended one gets processed?

[xmasbaby0]

Your refund will not be held up because they are waiting for your son's amended return.  It will simply take longer because it takes the IRS longer to process mailed returns.   Humans have to open them and enter them into the system----it takes a lot longer than the e-file process.

[jshammond3]

Ok, good, that’s what I was thinking.  It will be like the old days of mailing in which used to take a couple of months.  Thank you!

[misabelhz]

Fastest way... 1. You have to delete your son's information from your original return.  2. Re e-file, your tax return.  After you get the refund without your son as a dependent. THEN  3. You have two choices.  Amend your son's tax return online first.  Wait until his return is accepted then amend yours online. 

OTHER choice paper file both amended tax returns and send your son's return and yours together in the same envelope.  Good luck