Rejection due to dependent filing as primary

[klhconsulting]

Good evening, 

I inadvertently electronically filed a 19 year old dependent as not being claim by parent.  Corrected by amending the return, which has been accepted; however, the parents return continues to be rejected.  How long does it take for the dependent's amend to get into the system so the parent's return can be filed electronically, or is there something else I should do?

Thank you,

Kim

[sjrcpa]

Probably at least 6 months.

[abctax55]

In my experience. it takes MONTHS.  As in six or more.

1) Parent's return goes on extension, hoping this clears up by October 15th.

2) Paper file the parent's return.

YMMV

BUT I don't anticipate things going faster, or more smoothly at the IRS in the next few months/years.

[taxiowa]

I gotta little secret if you promise not to tell anyone.  But in the cases where someone else claims a child that you should have claimed; as in the case of your parent clients, there is a work around.  This work around also works in nasty divorces where the wrong parent illegally claims the kid before the custodial parent files. So have you filed an amended return yet?

[dkh]

Save yourself and the client the drawn-out process of waiting on IRS system to accept parent's return....mail the return.

[IRonMaN]

Yeah, mail it.  I played that game last year.  I do mom's and new dad's return and another preparer does old dad's return.  Daughter finishes up college and goes to work during the year.  Daughter's return bounces.  Dad says "I haven't claimed her in years".  However dad evidently never looked at his return and preparer keeps claiming daughter.  Other preparer files amended return for dad and I wait.  And I wait. And I wait some more.  And then I wait some more more.  Finally after attempting to submit the return unsuccessfully, I finally wave the white flag and paper file the return.  I would never do that again.  Go with less stress - go with paper.

[taxiowa]

On Feb 4th lady filed and return was rejected because ex claimed dependent and claimed EIC on her child that she has right to claim everything on.  Refiled electronically on Feb 12th and accepted.  Her refund page at IRS says her refund has already been issued and should be in account by 3/03.  So if you want to paper file, go for it.  But there is faster alternative if you haven't paper filed yet.

[dkh]

@taxiowa 

ok I'll bite.........what is this "little secret"  /   work around / faster alternative  to get past the rejection  without amending ?  

[taxiowa]

I have to figure out how to screen shot first.  But if  OP has already paper filed, it is too late anyway.  And I also don't know how to contact OP by email to show and explain.  And I am way too busy till 3rd of March to explain all these things, but if you have gotten a rejection letter from IRS e-file for claiming one who has already been claimed.  READ IT.  Especially last line on page 1.

"If you want to electronically file this return and claim dependent, an Identity Protction PIN will be required.  Visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for furthur info."  It takes time for client to get PIN but it works, and my client just got one for this year as opposed to signing up to get one every year. My secretary helped her get it after client tried a couple times, client just came to office to get it.

Much extra typing for me, especially if OP already did what the rest were saying to paper file and wait 6 months.

[dkh]

Thanks @taxiowa     

    so parent gets an IPIN and that will allow them to efile claiming the dependent  and not wait for IRS system to catch up to the dependent's amended return      

...........interesting

is it even necessary to amend the dependent's return then ?

[rbynaker]

I saw this come across a few months ago.  I've been searching for it this week but it took me a while to find it!  Here is the announcement from November:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-takes-steps-to-help-prevent-refund-delays-by-accepting-duplicate-de...

Problem is, it can be hit or miss getting an account at ID.me.  In the past getting an IP PIN was like the path to the dark side, "forever will it dominate your destiny."  Now the IRS has added an opt-out of IP PIN as long as you originally "opted" in (if you were a victim of identity theft and were assigned a PIN, I think there's still no going back--but you probably wouldn't want to.)