Parent return was rejected because box was not checked on dependent return that they could be claimed as a dependent. Parent is properly claiming dependent.

[D2018]

In short, the box on dependent tax return "tax payer can be claimed as a dependent" was not checked when it should have been. This return was submitted first, then the parent who claimed the dependent. Parent return was rejected for e-filing. Basically the dependent return now needs to be amended and paper filed and the parent return also needs to be paper filed. Has anybody else run into this? Is this the only way to fix? any suggestions would be appreciated!

[abctax55 · Accepted solution]

Yep...I've had it happen.

You have two amended returns to do and they both have to be paper-filed.  IF the kid is getting refund, tell them NOT to cash the check.

[D2018]

Ahh, thanks, i'm glad not the only one. Something so easy made into a hassle.

[abctax55]

Yep...and if there are refunds they'll be a long time coming as the IRS takes forever to process amended returns.

[IRonMaN]

We had one the other day that a bunch of kids thought it would be great if they did their own returns at school one day.  Luckily, we only do the returns for one of the parents because I'm guessing there were a bunch of returns that got messed up by this group of future Rhodes scholars.  

[abctax55]

If I have clients that I do their return, but they want to do the kids returns (or, have the kids learn to do them) I physically confiscate the W-2's to prevent this situation.

If I'm doing the parents & the kids, I *always* file the parental returns first.  It's saved my butt a few times.