question

[ahmedsaleh23]

My dad recently filled his taxes with trubotax (about a week ago or so) and he claimed me as a dependent when he was not supposed to. He said he'll wait until the 1040x form opens up to make the correction, until that time comes, can i file my taxes as an independent or do i have to wait until my dad makes the correction? As of now, i'm only one step away from submitting my taxes (turbotax has allowed me to file as an independent) but i wasn't sure if i should do it before my dad makes the correction. Thanks for your help!

[MinhT1]

You can file before your dad files his amended return, but you'll not be able to e-file.

You will have to print out your return, sign it and file by mail.

Please read this TurboTax Help topic.

[ahmedsaleh23]

thanks for your response! i'm still a little confused. So if i decide to wait until my dad makes the correction, will i then be able to e-file? 

[DMarkM1]

No, you will need to print, sign and mail in your tax return.  You will not be able to e-file this year.  The e-filing season would likely be over as you waited for the original return to process and then the amendment to process after that.  You would be looking near the end of the year before the system cleared your social security number if at all this tax year.  

However,  I would wait for your dad's original return to process.  Make a copy of his amendment and include the copy in your mail in tax return package.  Be sure to mark it as a copy not to be filed and even include a note so they know what you are doing and will tie everything together.         

[ahmedsaleh23]

Your feedback is greatly appreciated so i thank you... What I've been told seems a little blurry in my head because this is the first time i've been through this so forgive me. If i understood correctly, 1. file by mail 2. include a copy of my dads amendment with a note saying "not to be filed" 3. include a note explaining everything. Is that it? also, is there any way i can go about this?

[ahmedsaleh23]

Any other way***

[npierson7]

Yes, you should file by mail, your e-filing as independent will be rejected by the IRS because your dad already filed his taxes and claimed you as a dependent.  You can do it before or after your dad amends his return, and he's right, it's better to wait until his original return will be proceed by the IRS and after that file an amended return.  Your options - wait until your dad amend his return and add his Form 1040X to your return, or file now and add a note to explain what happened. Expect a delay in the processing time in any case. 

[fanfare]

Don't attach another persons 1040-X to your filed return.

Just don't check the box : someone can claim me.

This happens all the time and the IRS deals with it.

It is the parents' 1040X that should state in Part III Explanation that he was in error.

[ahmedsaleh23]

@fanfare sounds good! so, file by mail and include a note of the situation. My dad's taxes have been processed and is just waiting for the 2020 1040x forms to open up. Can you give me feedback of what to write in the note... this what I've thought of so far

to whom it may concern,

My father claimed me as a dependent by mistake. He is in the process of filing a form1040x to correct the mistake. 

[fanfare · Accepted solution]

IRS says:

"Don’t attach correspondence or other items unless required to do so. "

[ahmedsaleh23]

I have my taxes printed out right now but I was wondering If i have to mail my state taxes if i did not work in 2020? i only received unemployment and in California, Unemployment payments are exempt from state income tax

[MaryM428]

Yes, you should mail your California tax return so that there is a record of your unemployment for 2020.  Even though you are not paying any state income tax this year, you still want your return to be on file with the state.

Generally, you must file an income tax return if you're a resident , part-year resident, or nonresident and: Are required to file a federal return. Receive income from a source in California.