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February 2, 2024
Question

How to amend a return to remove a dependent so the intended parent can claim them?

  • February 2, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I recently submitted my taxes and they were accepted. One of my children were not meant to be claimed on my taxes, her father who we live with, is to claim her. I've seen several recommendations floating around, but I'm unsure of what to do. I was going to wait until AFTER I receive the first taxes to come back, to file an amend to remove the dependent. 

 

Should he wait to file his return via mail (including the same dependent I will make the amend to remove) until after I submit my amendment? Or would it be best for us to mail out my amended tax return (removing the dependent) & his tax return (to ADD that dependent) at the same time to avoid him having to wait until after my amendment is processed? I want to make sure we were able to file how we initially planned to.

 

I saw something also stating that even if he sends his tax return in with the same dependent I did my amendment to remove, he still cannot claim her because she was previously claimed, even though the return was amended to remove her. Does anyone know if this is true?

    1 reply

    fanfare
    February 2, 2024

    To remove a dependent, submit Form 1040-X with a new list of dependents.

    You may have a new refund or different "amount you owe".

    That's why you use the tax software.

    If you don't submit the changes, IRS will probably do the calculation for you and send you a bill.

    OR, they will send it back and tell you to  try again.

     

    @Sailorspoon94 

    fanfare
    February 2, 2024

    Regardless of whether you amend or not,

    the other parent can submit the return with the dependent, but it will have to be a paper return

    filed by US Mail.

    If there are two returns with that dependent IRS will contact one or both of you to resolve it.

    @Sailorspoon94 

    February 2, 2024

    I see. So we can still processed to file his taxes with the dependent added. I’ll file the amendment (and even if I don’t) the IRS will contact us to determine who is to claim the dependent & since I’ll be removing the dependent so he can add her, I’ll just have to return whatever amount I’ll end up owing to the IRS and he’ll end up receiving the difference from what he would’ve initially received. Is this correct? @fanfare