If another taxpayer can claim you as a dependent, you must indicate that on your tax return. This is an important filing detail because it can affect your eligibility for certain credits and the amount of your standard deduction.
Be sure to answer the dependency questions accurately to avoid processing delays or IRS rejections.
How do I indicate that I can be claimed as a dependent?
Follow these steps in the software:
- Go to Basic Information.
- Select Personal Information.
- Open Additional Personal Information.
- Check the box indicating that someone can claim you as a dependent on their tax return.
- When the follow-up question appears, answer Yes if someone has actually claimed you as a dependent.
Answering these questions correctly helps ensure your return is processed properly by the IRS.
What happens if I don't indicate that I can be claimed?
Failing to disclose that you can be claimed as a dependent may cause filing problems:
- Your return may be rejected if another taxpayer has already claimed you as a dependent.
- The return of the person claiming you may also be rejected if your return does not properly indicate your dependency status.
In addition, dependency status can affect several tax benefits, including:
- Your standard deduction amount
- The Earned Income Credit (EIC), if applicable
- Education-related tax credits and deductions for which you may otherwise qualify
What if someone claimed me, but they weren't eligible to?
If someone incorrectly claimed you as a dependent, your electronically filed return may be rejected because IRS records show that you were already claimed.
In that situation, you can still file your return by:
- Printing your completed tax return.
- Signing the return.
- Mailing it to the IRS.
To print your return, go to Review > Print Results. You can find the correct IRS mailing address on the IRS "Where to File" page.
The IRS will review the returns and determine who is entitled to claim the dependency exemption rules and related tax benefits.
If the claim was made by mistake
If the other taxpayer claimed you in error, they should file an amended return to remove you as a dependent.
If the claim was fraudulent
If someone intentionally claimed you without permission or used your personal information fraudulently, you may need to report potential identity theft to the IRS and follow the IRS identity theft procedures.