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How do I find out if someone has used my dependent on their income taxes,

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
May 31, 2019
42 replies
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I am trying to e-file my federal return and it's not going thru, their is a problem with one of my dependents and I believe that my daughter has been claimed on someone else's income taxes. How do I find out who is it, and how do I get them for fraudulently claiming someone who is not their dependent.

TurboTax Deluxe Online

Best answer by Hal_Al

You can't find out. But, here's what you do:

If someone else claimed your dependent child inappropriately, and if they file first, your return will be rejected if e-filed.You would then need to file a return on paper, claiming the child as appropriate. The IRS will process your return and send you your refund, in the normal time. Shortly (up to a year) thereafter, you'll receive a letter from the IRS, stating that your child was claimed on another return. It will tell you that if you made a mistake to file an amended return and if you didn't make a mistake to do nothing. The other party will get the same letter you did. If one of you doesn't file an amended return, unclaiming the child, the next letter, from the IRS, will require you to provide proof. Be sure to reply in a timely manner.

Winner gets the tax benefits; loser gets to pay the IRS back with penalties and interest. The custodial parent almost always wins. The non-custodial parent can only claim the child as a dependent if the custodial parent gives permission (on form 8332) or if it's spelled out in a pre 2009 divorce decree. https://www.thebalance.com/claiming-same-dependent-audit-risk-3193030
The usual suspects are:
1. The other parent
2. The child claimed his own exemption
3. Some other member of the household (e.g. grandparent)
4. Someone else the child lived with for part of the year

Hal_AlAnswer

Employee

You can't find out. But, here's what you do:

If someone else claimed your dependent child inappropriately, and if they file first, your return will be rejected if e-filed.You would then need to file a return on paper, claiming the child as appropriate. The IRS will process your return and send you your refund, in the normal time. Shortly (up to a year) thereafter, you'll receive a letter from the IRS, stating that your child was claimed on another return. It will tell you that if you made a mistake to file an amended return and if you didn't make a mistake to do nothing. The other party will get the same letter you did. If one of you doesn't file an amended return, unclaiming the child, the next letter, from the IRS, will require you to provide proof. Be sure to reply in a timely manner.

Winner gets the tax benefits; loser gets to pay the IRS back with penalties and interest. The custodial parent almost always wins. The non-custodial parent can only claim the child as a dependent if the custodial parent gives permission (on form 8332) or if it's spelled out in a pre 2009 divorce decree. https://www.thebalance.com/claiming-same-dependent-audit-risk-3193030
The usual suspects are:
1. The other parent
2. The child claimed his own exemption
3. Some other member of the household (e.g. grandparent)
4. Someone else the child lived with for part of the year

A

Apple2726

I didn't sign the form and can't file taxes cause I was a stay at home mom until we separated.

CatinaT1

When did you separate? Did the children spend any time with him during 2019?

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J

Jconey1234

How do I find out if someone has used my dependence on their income tax

X

xmasbaby0

Employee

@Jconey1234

You posted this question in a thread that has the answer to your question directly above your own post. Scroll up and read the answer.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

D

dzmora

just wanted to see if someone has already claimed my daughter without my consent

DoninGA

Employee

@dzmora wrote:

just wanted to see if someone has already claimed my daughter without my consent

You cannot and the IRS will not tell you.

Just e-file your tax return with the dependents entered. If your tax return is rejected because someone else claimed the dependents on their return, the rejection code will indicate that. Then you will have to print and mail the tax return with your dependents entered on the return. If you have a tax refund the IRS will pay the refund.

Within a year the IRS will send letters to both parties to determine who was eligible to claim the dependents. The loser of the investigation get to repay any tax refund based on the dependent plus penalties and interest.

L

lanjain

I have a question? When this happened the rejection, does it mean someone has claimed my dependent on the returns before me this year? Or is it from the year before2018? Or just from this year?

Hal_Al

Employee

just this year

S

Satana91

I want to find out if someone file me on tax

DoninGA

Employee

@Satana91 wrote:

I want to find out if someone file me on tax

You cannot and the IRS will not tell you.

Just e-file your tax return. If your tax return is rejected because someone else claimed the you on their return, the rejection code will indicate that. Then you will have to print and mail the tax return. If you have a tax refund the IRS will pay the refund.

Within a year the IRS will send letters to both parties to determine who filed the tax return incorrectly.

Hal_Al

Employee

The usual suspects are:

The parent the child lives with.
The other parent.
The child claimed his own exemption.
Some other member of the household (e.g. grandparent)
Someone else the child lived with for part of the year

A

AlyssaAlazae123

How can I find out if someone claimed my kid without red flaming my kid

Hal_Al

Employee

Answered above. You cannot find out

A

Apple2726

I can't file taxes but was told by a legal representation from it's cause my husband and I are separated and the children lived with me, he can't claim them on his taxes. How do I find out if he claimed them anyway.

M

Mishijos420

How do I find out if someone else claimed my dependent on their taxes

CatinaT1

You usually don't find out until your return is rejected because the social security number has already been used.

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Hal_Al

Employee

@Mishijos420 - Read the full thread, particularly the first reply on page 1.

S

Stace

So if I e-file with TurboTax, and it shows the file as “accepted”, has it in fact been accepted? Or, can it be rejected later ? I filed on 01/26 and shows accepted as of 01/27 and I’m yet to have received the federal refund of notification that it’s on the way. I’ve already received state. I am worried that her absentee dad may have tried to claim her even though he doesn’t support her in anyway.

RobertG

Did you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit?

Taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit may experience a refund hold.

According to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February.

The IRS expects the first EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by the first week of March, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return. Check Where’s My Refund for your personalized refund date.

One of the reasons for the PATH act is to give the IRS sufficient time to check to see if dependents are claimed on multiple returns.

@Stace

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M

mms6992

I have reasons to believe that my children were claimed without my knowledge and permission. I haven't got to work and earn wages since November 27, 2019. I have been going through many identity theft problems, someone had received unemployment benefits under my name. My credit is showing I have loans. I have filed police reports but I have recently seen signs that make me believe my 2 children under 12yo have been filed. I do not in NO way believe it is the other parent "Dad". In fact I'm 100% sure it was not him. Leaning more towards brother n law/sister who NO not in anyway has has my children in their home or cared for them any! Actually spent half the year Not socializing with her. Can someone please help me understand how to find out. As I cannot file and I feel like they knew this. Also read how if one does not earn and file that one could not receive the child tax credit monthly payments. Why am I?? Help please!