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If you are saying that your e-file was rejected because your Social Security number had already been used in this tax season, then there are two major possibilites:

1. Someone you know claimed you as a spouse or a dependent. This happens often in families when there is confusion over who is claiming whom (ex-spouses, grandparents, etc.). The solution is to print and mail your return. After some months, the IRS will contact you and the other party to discuss who is able to claim whom.

2. Someone stole your identity and used it to file a fraudulent return. In this case, the IRS says this:

Here’s what happens if you learn you are a victim of tax-related identity theft. For example, your e-filed return rejects because of a duplicate tax filing with your Social Security number, and you report the incident to us:

• You should file by paper if you are unable to e-file
• You should complete and file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, with your paper tax return
• Your tax return and Form 14039 are received for processing by the IRS.
• You'll receive an acknowledgment letter
• Your case goes to our Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) organization if another return is already present on the account,where it will be handled by employees with specialized training
• The Identity Theft Victim Assistance organization will work your case by:
  • Assessing the scope of the issues and trying to determine if your case affects one or more tax years.
  • Addressing all the issues related to the fraudulent return. This includes determining if there are additional victims, who may be unknown to you, listed on the fraudulent return.
  • Researching the case to double check all the names, addresses and SSNs are accurate or fraudulent.
  • Conducting a case analysis to determine if all outstanding issues were addressed
  • Ensuring your tax return is properly processed and if you are due a refund, releasing your refund.
  • Removing the fraudulent return from your tax records.
  • Marking your tax account with an identity theft indicator, which completes our work on your case and helps protect you in the future.
• You will receive notification that your case has been resolved. This is generally within 120 days but complex cases may take 180 days or longer
• Certain tax-related identity theft victims will be placed into the Identity Protection PIN program and annually receive a new, six-digit IP PIN that must be entered on the tax return. The IP PIN adds an extra layer of identity protection. Some taxpayers will be given the option of getting an IP PIN, using the IRS.gov/getanippin tool.