Yes if the other person also filed an incorrect tax return they have to amend.  It is taking MUCH longer than the "normal" four months for the IRS to process an amended return.  So if you are going through amending tax returns because someone is hoping for a stimulus check, it will not work out.    There will be another chance to get stimulus money on a 2020 tax return if you made mistakes and did not file correctly to get it in 2020.     Note:  If the person CAN be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return they must indicate that they can be claimed EVEN IF the other person does not end up claiming them.   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? ... View more

Before you try to amend---has your original return been fully processed?  Do not amend until your original 2019 return has been fully processed or it can cause confusion and delays.   How do I amend my 2019 TurboTax Online return?   And just so you know---it normally takes about four months for the IRS to process an amended return.  During the pandemic it is taking MUCH longer. ... View more

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        DELAYED FEDERAL REFUND FOR 2019   TAX RETURN     There are a lot of delays for federal refunds.  Did you mail your return or e-file?   If you mailed it:   MAILED RETURNS   The IRS has just started to work through millions of mailed returns that have been piling up in trailers during the pandemic.   All you can do is watch the IRS refund site to see when your return makes it to the surface and goes into processing. Sorry.   Per the IRS website  IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue :   IRS operational status and alternatives Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns: Taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider, or  IRS Free File .  We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it. Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.   If   you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.   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.    TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account.   TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed   (or e-filed) returns.   When the IRS finally opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site.  https://www.irs.gov/refunds   State returns have to be mailed to the state. https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund     Or......     Did you e-file?   Did you click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”   When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax.   The first one will say that your return was submitted.   The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected.   If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.   First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/ If the IRS accepted it, what does it say here?  https://www.irs.gov/refunds               Or does your account say “Ready to Mail?”   Note:  If it says “Ready to Mail” or “Printed” that means YOU have to mail it yourself.   TurboTax does not mail your tax return for you.     If your e-file was accepted:   To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. (This line has no information on Economic Impact Payments.)     https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/ TurboTax gives you an estimated date for receiving your refund based on a 21 day average from your date of acceptance, but it can take longer.   Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.    Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS,  only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS. You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount   (line 20 of your Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:     https://www.irs.gov/refunds To track your state refund:      https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing. https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions   ... View more

So that you will know going forward---there are two free versions.  TurboTax Free Edition---which you access through the same TT website that provides the other paid versions of online TurboTax.  Free Edition can only be used for very simple returns that do not require any of the extra schedules that can be part of a Form 1040.  If you start entering data that requires one or more of those schedules, you upgrade to a paid version.   Or there is Free File, accessed through a different site---and you must meet the criteria to use it.   If  you qualify to use it, there is another full-featured free version of the software: Try Free File:  You qualify if your income was $36,000 or less, or $69,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program ... View more

You may have been able to use Free File if you had gone to the special web site to use it.  If you went ahead and used a paid version of TurboTax and are now asking for a refund after the fact, you are unlikely to get one.  But you can have that discussion with customer support.   To call TurboTax customer support https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number They are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time   Monday-Friday ... View more

Check your account for the 2018 return to see.  Does it say "accepted?"  or does it say something else like "Rejected",  "printed" or "ready to mail?"   If it does not say "accepted" then it was not filed unless you put it in an envelope and took it to a mailbox,  It may have been rejected when you tried to e-file and you did not notice.  And if you owed tax due, your only proof that you paid is your own bank/credit card record.   If the return was not filed then you need to print sign and mail it.  If you did not owe, or are supposed to get a refund there is no penalty for filing it late.  If you owe tax due, then you need to pay, and you will be billed later by the IRS for late penalties and interest.   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. ... View more

You can go back to the return in your account and use desktop software to prepare the state return for 2018--you have to download the software--it will not be free, and it must be downloaded to a full PC or Mac--not to a mobile device.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return   Or you could get the forms from your state and prepare the state return on paper to mail in.  You will need your 2018 federal return to get some of the information.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901670-how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue ... View more

@Opus 17 Please re-read the user's post.  He was not married to the children's mother.  He lived with them and is calling them "step-children."       "I claimed my step kids (not married) together for 8 years lived together for 5 years i was audited & not allowed to claim them"     ... View more