When you enter dad's SSN on kid's return and it's accepted

[RitaB]

When you enter dad's SSN on kid's return and kid's return is e-filed and accepted, would you:

1)  e-file kid's 1040-X changing the SSN, or

2) e-file kid's 1040-X leaving SSN of dad, but changing all data to zeros?

 

[Gail in Virginia]

I think I would vote for option 1.  If you use option 2, then dad has still filed a tax return as far as the IRS is concerned and unless he had no income it is an incorrect return. 

[jklcpa]

I don't think #1 will work though. Are dad and son's names similar?  Are you handling both returns?

 Since a return was filed under dad's SSN, I would file a superseded federal return for dad (or dad + spouse, if that is the case) with all of the correct information. That will correct his record and the return will still be under that SSN, and the superseded return can be e-filed. 

Then you will also be able to e-file the son too.

Edited February 21 by jklcpa
typos

[RitaB]

1 hour ago, Gail in Virginia said:

I think I would vote for option 1.  If you use option 2, then dad has still filed a tax return as far as the IRS is concerned and unless he had no income it is an incorrect return. 

 

54 minutes ago, jklcpa said:

I don't think #1 will work though. Are dad and son's names similar?  Are you handling both returns?

 Since a return was filed under dad's SSN, I would file a superseded federal return for dad (or dad + spouse, if that is the case) with all of the correct information. That will correct his record and the return will still be under that SSN, and the superseded return can be e-filed. 

Then you will also be able to e-file the son too.

It's actually a daughter, same last name as dad (and mom).  I have both returns, parents' has been rejected, can't e-file parents, now, of course. 

Regarding superceeded. (Not an option for parents, as parents' return has not been filed yet.)  That's just a 1040-X filed before the due date, correct?  ATX has ability to e-file 1040-X, and dassit, as they say.

Thanks, Ladies.  At least both returns have small refunds, daughter will get hers, and I will offer parents a loan of refund amount until they receive refund in six to 48 months.  They're sweet and won't accept it, but it's still embarrassing.

[RitaB]

Ok, I'm thinking it thru better, Judy.  Amend kid's to all parents' information?  Then file kid's with kid's SSN when the dust settles?

[jklcpa]

Yes, the superseded return is similar to an 1040x but it replaces the original instead of changing it. The reason the parent's return was rejected is obviously because a return was already filed using that SSN. That's why I said to replace that kid's return by making it belong to the parents since the dad's SSN was used to file it.  The IRS system actually thinks that is the dad's income on that return. Superseding that return with all of the parent info will correct that record filed under dad's SSN and will change the filing status from single to MFJ and whatever dependency was claimed, because if the kid should have checked that box for being claimed as a dependent, the IRS system thinks the dad is being claimed by someone.

 

[jklcpa]

Yes, we were typing at the same time.

 

[RitaB]

Found this at irs.gov, so maybe I've just not noticed a "superceding" box on ATX.  And I learned to spell superseding.      Thanks, again!

"Additionally, a new, electronic checkbox has been added for Forms 1040/1040-SR, 1040-NR and 1040-SS/1040-PR to indicate that a superseding return is being filed electronically. A superseded return is one that is filed after the originally filed return but submitted before the due date, including extensions."