14.1 Electronic Filing (e-file) and TeleFile: Age/Name/SSN Rejects, Errors, Correction Procedures
We will be filing a joint tax return. Can we file our return electronically?
Yes. Filing your return electronically is faster, safer, and more accurate
than mailing your tax return because it is transmitted over telephone lines
directly to an IRS computer. Refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic
Filing, for more information.
References:
How can I participate as an electronic filing Provider?
To participate in the e-file program, you must first choose the Authorized
IRS e-file options that are best for you. An Authorized IRS e-file Provider
can be an Electronic Return Originator, Intermediate Service Provider, Transmitter
or Software Developer.
Submit Form 8633 (PDF), Application to
Participate in the IRS e-file Program. Submit your application to the
appropriate Service Center as shown on Form 8633. Publication 1345 (PDF), Handbook
for Authorized IRS E-File Providers Individual Income Tax Returns, provides
you with the information you need to apply to participate in the e-file Program.
Technical information can be found in Publication 1346 (PDF), Electronic Return File Specifications and Record Layouts
for Individual Income Tax Returns. Updates to this publication will appear
on the Electronic Filing System Bulletin Board. You can also contact the Andover
Service Center at 1-800-691-1894 (toll free) for assistance.
Pass a Suitability Background check. If you apply to become an ERO, Transmitter
or Intermediate or Intermediate Service Provider, the IRS conducts a background
check on all principals of your firm and responsible officials listed on the
application to determine their suitability to be an Authorized IRS e-file
Provider. If you apply to be a Software Developer only, a suitability check
is not required.
References:
I filed electronically but my tax return was rejected. What do I
do now?
Your next action depends on the reason your return was rejected. If you
made a mistake in entering the social security number or misspelled a name,
you can fix these errors and have the return sent again to the IRS. There
are other errors that will cause you to have to file using a paper return.
If you have further questions, you can call our Customer Service number at
1-800-829-1040. For general information about e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic
Filing.
References:
We tried to file electronically and the tax return was rejected
because my wife's name did not match her social security number. What should
we do?
If the name on her social security card differs from what was provided
on the tax return, the electronic transmission will be rejected. This means
the return has not been filed. You need to either use the name exactly as
shown on her social security card or change her card at the Social
Security Administration and allow two weeks before resubmitting your return
electronically.
You can contact the Social Security Administration at
1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security
Administration office and follow their procedures to correct your records.
For general information about e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic
Filing.
References:
How long after I change my name with social security will I be able
to file my tax return electronically?
Generally, two weeks after you change your name with the Social
Security Administration, the IRS should have the information and you should
be able to file electronically. If you do not have two weeks to wait before
the due date for filing your return timely, you will need to file a paper
return. For general information about e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic
Filing.
References:
My electronic tax return keeps getting rejected for a dependent's
social security number used more than once or on another return. I have verified
the social security numbers of all my dependents with the Social Security
Administration and no one else is authorized to claim our children on their
taxes. How do I correct this error so that an e-file return will go through?
Unfortunately, you will need to file a paper return this year. Do not send
any documents that are not required with your tax return. Whether the cause
of this rejection is the result of a typo on another return or an attempt
by another party to claim your dependent, the IRS has security measures in
place to ensure the accuracy of returns submitted. In such cases, the IRS
will question the dependency exemptions claimed by any other party using the
wrong social security number. For general information about e-file, refer
to Tax Topic 252, Electronic Filing.
References:
I have electronically filed my tax return and it has not been accepted
because a dependent's social security number and last name do not match the
IRS records. I have checked with the Social Security Administration office
and the information is correct as it appears on their social security cards.
What do I do now?
Unfortunately, you will need to file a paper return this year. Do not send
any documents other than the required form. You should also attach documentation
supporting the social security numbers in question for the dependents and
a copy of the e-file rejection notice. For general information about e-file,
refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic Filing.
References:
Could you explain the electronic filing error message: Primary social
security number was previously used as a dependent's social security number
on another tax return?
The social security number in question appeared as a dependent on another
tax return for this same year. Whether the cause of this rejection is the
result of a typo on another return or an attempt by another party to claim
a dependent using your primary social security number, the IRS has security
measures in place to ensure the accuracy of returns submitted. In such cases,
the IRS will question the dependency exemptions claimed by any other party
using the wrong social security number. If you have verified this primary
social security number and found no errors, you need to file a correct paper
return. You should mail you tax return in and any required forms and schedules
but do not attach any additional information; if needed the lRS will contact
you by mail for any supporting documentation. For general information about
e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic Filing.
References:
Could you explain the electronic filing error message: Dependent's
social security number was used as primary and claimed self as an exemption
on another tax return?
This message means the social security number for the person whose exemption
is being claimed on this tax return as a dependent has already been filed
on another tax return as the primary taxpayer claiming the exemption. This
may occur when your child has filed his or her own return and not checked
the box that someone else can claim him or her as a dependent, or may be the
result of a typo on another return. The IRS has security measures in place
to ensure the accuracy of returns submitted. In such cases, the IRS will question
the exemptions claimed by any other party using the wrong social security
number. If you have verified the dependent's social security number and found
no errors and your dependent has not filed a return and claimed an exemption,
you need to file a correct paper return. For general information about e-file,
refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic Filing.
References:
I am concerned that someone else may be using my social security
number to file taxes without my knowledge and would like to know what to do?
Your concern may be the result of having had your e-file tax return rejected
with an error message that your social security number has already been used
on another return, for the same tax year. The cause of this rejection might
be that someone is using your social security number to file a return, but
also might be the result of a typo on another return. The IRS has security
measures in place to verify the accuracy of tax returns and validity of social
security numbers submitted. If you received this electronic filing error message
and you have verified your social security number and have found no errors,
you need to file a correct paper return. Send only your tax return and all
required forms and schedules; please do not attach any other documents. If
necessary, the IRS will contact you by mail for additional information.
You are entitled to file your return correctly. If, however, you have knowledge
of tax fraud being committed, you may make an anonymous report by calling
1-800-829-0433. For general information about e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic
Filing.
References:
How can I make sure no one files under my name using my social security
number?
Your concern may be the result of having had your e-file tax return rejected
with an error message that your social security number has already been used
on another return for the same tax year. The cause of this rejection might
be that someone is filing a return using your home and your social security
number, but also might could be the result of a typo on another return. The
IRS has security measures in place to verify the accuracy of tax returns and
validity of social security numbers submitted. If you received this electronic
filing error message and you have verified your social security number and
have found no errors, you need to file a correct paper return. Send only your
tax returns and all required forms and schedules. Do not attach any other
documents. If necessary, the IRS will contact you for additional information.
If, however, you have knowledge of tax fraud being committed, you may make
an anonymous report by calling 1-800-829-0433. For general information about
e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252 , Electronic Filing .
References:
I corrected my date of birth with the Social Security Administration
and received my new social security card in the mail. However, my tax return
is still being rejected due to the date of birth. How should I proceed?
Allow two weeks for our records to be corrected. If it is still a problem,
call 1-800-829-1040 to see what our records still show. For general information
about e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic Filing.
References:
We electronically filed our tax return and it came back stating
that it was rejected for an error with my husband's date of birth not matching
his social security number. There has never been a problem before this year
and it does have the correct date. What do we do?
Unfortunately, you will need to file a paper return this year. Contact
the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213 to verify the accuracy
of your date of birth as recorded with SSA. For general information about
e-file, refer to Tax Topic 252, Electronic Filing .
References:
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