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But, the child will NOT be a Dependent on two returns.

I would switch the names for 2018 if apply. I have had this happen in 2016 and still fighting the service to switch it to the wifes single return. Sent many letters and copies of all checks. Called too, they just can't seem to get it switched over.

John, I had a similar situation from the 2015 to 2016 returns and the credit carryover requested was handled correctly, and I didn't switch the names, but Catherine's suggestion is a good one. My client's fact pattern was this: Joint 2015 return with husband's name first. Showed an overpayment requested to be applied to 2016. Wife filed 2016 estimate vouchers showing only her name. I think Drake did this automatically because husband's DOD was in Dec 2015 so the system removed his name on the 2016 forms. Wife DID receive the proper credit carryover.

Sorry, I wasn't clear on the first post. We did submit current-year estimates (Apr, Jun, & Sep) in her name & under her SS# only. So she is covered there. The only issue is making sure the $6K refund on the 2018 return is credited to her SS#. Thanks for validating the idea to switch the names & SS#s on the 2018 return. That's what we are going to do, although there will still be some lingering uncertainty since it will be a paper-filed return.

How do you find the performance of Splashtop vs. GoToMyPC? We have switched but are noticing more performance issues. I did talk to techsupport and they changed some settings. Changing to a mirror driver for screen capturing options seemed to be the most noticeable improvement. Once we get thru 10-15 and move from Win7 to Win10 we will reassess if there are still performance issues. There are times where Splashtop is almost impossible to work in and then you get disconnected - whereas disconnections were very rare with GoToMyPC.

Drake has a place on the Dependents screen where you can check that the person is NOT a dependent, but rather a HOH (or other) qualifier. So they don't get used as a dependent but do get used to qualify for status or credits. I would think you would still be able to e-file that return. Now you have me confused about Drake!

Switch the names around, warn client that next year the service will probably pitch because they did NOT apply the estimates to her account. Fix it when that happens with a phone call (get a POA on file now, or have it ready to go when you call). If the service had any (recent) history of reading/responding to letters, I'd recommend sending a letter requesting the estimates be moved from his account to hers. But they don't; they just react to (many times completely avoidable) situations. They need to hire - and train - a LOT of people. You may also need to try a couple of times to get the e-file to go through, with the names switched.

Huh. Is that new? I have clients that are divorced moms who claim the child every other year. They are always HOH and CCC and e-file. None of my clients come in very early. Maybe the dads have been even later! That would be a good reason to urge clients to come in earlier...