Amend Your Tax Return to Add, Change or Remove a Dependent

Please watch this helpful video for step-by-step guidance. You can also read and print the instructions below. 

 

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.

Did this video help you?   Yes, it did...   No, it didn't...

Your Feedback

Once you've watched the video, please follow these steps to amend your federal and state returns to add, change or remove a dependent inTurboTax.

1. Your federal and state refund monitors should each display zero.
2. You should now be on a screen that says Your Dependents and Qualifying Persons Summary, or if you didn't have a dependent in your original return, you will be brought to a screen that asks if you have any children or other dependents.
3. You can now choose to make your change for your situation, such as adding, editing or deleting a dependent on your return.
4. Once you've answered all the questions for your situation, click Continue.
5. If you have finished making changes in the dependents section, click Done.
6. You might notice that the refund monitors no longer display zero.

IMPORTANT: When adding or editing a dependent exemption you should go through the Deductions & Credits section again, to claim any tax breaks related to your dependents.

7. Select the Federal Taxes tab (Personal tab in Home & Business product).
8. Then choose Deductions & Credits, to review whether you qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC), the Child and Dependent Care credit, Adoption credit or Child Tax credit. 
9. Also go through the Education section to check for education deductions or credits, and student loan interest deduction.
10. Answer the questions specific to your situation.
11. When finished, click Done.

1. Even if it appears this change won’t affect your state taxes, you should go through the state return and answer any appropriate questions.
2. If you don’t file a state return, go directly to the Wrap Up tab.
3. If you do file a state return, click the State Taxes, then select Continue.
4. Go through the state interview and answer any appropriate questions.
5. Run State Review again.
6. Click Done with states.
    

Now you should be ready to finish amending your return.

1. Once you've clicked on Done with States, you should be taken to the Wrap Up tab.
2. You’ll go through one final error check to make sure your return is ready to file.
3. If you get to screen that says, Let’s Check These Entries, click Check Entries.
4. You could get a message telling you that amended returns can’t be e-filed. You’ll probably get the same message for your state return.
5. If these are the only “errors” you get, you can click the button that says Continue with Errors.
6. Print your return.
7. Click Done.
8. The program will print all necessary forms and the addresses where you should mail them.