@smith-heathere and @VolvoGirl
New this year:
If a dependent mistakenly indicated no one can claim them and causes a rejection of the parent's return, the IRS now allows the first-listed (primary) taxpayer (such as the parent) to get an IP PIN and still successfully efile and avoid having to file a return on paper. The dependent still has to amend their own return, however. I have seen users in this forum where it has worked. and the parents efiled successfully.
"Beginning in the 2025 filing season, the IRS will accept Forms 1040, 1040-NR and 1040-SS even if a dependent has already been claimed on a previously filed return as long as the primary taxpayer on the second return includes a valid Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). This change will reduce the time for the agency to receive the tax return and accelerate the issuance of tax refunds for those with duplicate dependent returns. In previous years, the second tax return had to be filed by paper."
"In the scenario where the dependent has already been claimed on another tax return, the IP PIN provides an important new option. The taxpayer listed first on an e-filed tax return claiming dependents can provide their current year IP PIN when they file. If they do, the return will still be accepted. The spouse (if married filing jointly) and the dependents on the tax return don’t need to provide an IP PIN if they don’t have one."
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-takes-steps-to-help-prevent-refund-delays-by-accepting-duplicate-de...
