My son filed his own taxes and claimed himself instead indicating that someone else could claim him What do I do and how will it affect him?

[retiree · Accepted solution]

You actually have 2 problems to deal with.

First, If you have already e-filed the child's return DO NOT DO ANYTHING until it is accepted.  Then, it is BEST TO WAIT until the refund is actually received.

Then you can prepare an amended return form 1040-X the change the designation that the child can be claimed by someone else.  An amended return MUST be PRINTED and MAILED --it can take up to 2-4 months for an amended return to be process by the IRS.

Perhaps some terminology/definitions would be in order:
AMEND:- your return is what you do AFTER your return has been filed and accepted
by the IRS and/or state.  (No additional charge)

CHANGE:- your return is what you do BEFORE your return has been filed --simply go
back to the respective information and change it as needed.

CORRECT:- your return is what you do AFTER you attempted to file your return and
it is rejected by either IRS, or state --again, simply go back to the
respective information and change it as needed.

Above all  DO NOT DO ANYTHING until you find out if your return is rejected or accepted.

Second, since it could take take up to 4 months for the IRS to process the child's amended return, and then another 30+ days to update the SSN database info, your only option this year is to NOT e-file and PRINT and MAIL your own return.

It might also be a good idea to actually take your PRINTED return and the amended return, form 1040-X, to the Post Office and mail it 'Certified' with 'Return receipt requested'.  That way you'll have actual proof that the IRS did receive it and when.

NOTE:  When mailing your tax return(s) NEVER put more than one return in an envelope,  if you put more than one return in the envelope there is a good chance that they will be treated as a single return and thus delay any action.

[DDollar]

You need to print and mail your return.  Your son needs to file an amended return.  I recommend you include a letter to the IRS explaining that your son HAS filed an amended return, and mail with your returns. 

[msupoohbear]

If this occurs that you college student claim themselves as a dependent and did not mark that someone else (parent) would claim them, if the parent prints their returns, does IRS wait for the amended tax form  from the college student before the parents Tax refund is given??

[msupoohbear]

My son filed electronically and we can not amend it yet.  Are you suggesting I send a letter with my tax return explaining that and state that my son will file an amended return when he is able too?

[ssdd54]

You have to make it clear:

1-Is your son a full time student?

2- Is he younger than 24 years old?

If the answer to both is

NO, then, what he did is correct and you cannot claim him.

[msupoohbear]

Yes he is a full time student

yes he is 19

yes he lives with me and I support him

[xmasbaby0]

You can claim your 19 year old college student as your dependent. He is a qualifying child.   He might not like it--he does not get the stimulus check.  But as the parent, you can claim him and you are the one who gets the education credits.

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They are related to you.

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or   Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

  •      They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They lived with you the entire year.

• They made less than $4200  (not counting Social Security)

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

• Does a dependent have to live with me?

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

• Can I claim a newborn baby?

[Heartland1]

Where on Tax Form 1040X can you fix the status?  My son is 15 and because he worked part time he filled out a tax return and claimed he couldn't be claimed by anyone else.  Granted a 15 year old is not an expert when it comes to taxes.  His form was already accepted and he got his refund.  

[xmasbaby0]

@Heartland1 You go to My Info--click his name and then go through the questions that asked him if he could be claimed as someone else's dependent.  His answer must be YES, that he can be claimed.  Meanwhile, do not wait around for the IRS to process his amended return.  The only way you can file now is by mail.   Print, sign and mail your own return that claims your teenager as a dependent.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[LindaS5247]

He will have to amend it then.  If he filed his taxes using TurboTax, since his return has already processed, he can now amend his return on TurboTax.  And that can be done be selecting "Amend My Tax Return" and following the prompts.  It will walk you through.  

To amend if he did not use TurboTax, he will have to send a copy of his his original tax return and Form 1040X.  He will have to indicate that that box should be unchecked.  I am including some helpful links on amending your tax return. He may have to repay some of his refund as his standard deduction will change. He may also have to amend his state return.

Your tax return will be rejected if you claim him, and you will now have to mail in your tax returns in order to claim him as a dependent.

If you can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer, your standard deduction for 2022 is limited to the greater of: (1) $1,150, or (2) your earned income plus $400 (but the total can't be more than the basic standard deduction for your filing status).

Click here for instructions to Form 1040X.

Click here for How to Correct Federal Taxes.

Click here for additional information on dependents.

Click here for additional information on amending your tax return.