Anonymous
Not applicable

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

The IRS sent it to you, actually, but TurboTax specialists should certainly be able to look up what it means. 

 

There is no workaround for this that would allow you to e-file your return.  As fanfare noted, it means the spouse listed on your return already has a return on file for this year.  

 

This can happen if your spouse filed a Married Filing Separately return and you are now trying to file jointly.  If this is what you are trying to accomplish, you should file an amended return, which you may be able to do online this year. 

 

If your spouse didn't file a separate return then it is possible that there is a fraudulently filed return on file or a database error.  Neither of those things is quickly resolved, but you start the process of handling it by filing your return by mail.  

 

I would also suggest that you and your spouse each go to the IRS website and use the "Get my tax records" section to pull up your 2020 tax return records.  This will show you if there is a tax return on file.  If the tax return has data that is completely unfamiliar to you on it, then you should complete Form 14039 - the IRS identity theft form.  That form can be faxed in (recommended) and the instructions are on the form itself.  When you get the form, be sure you are at the IRS.GOV website and not another page that might charge you for some service - there is no fee to print, retrieve, or file this form.  Don't fall victim to a new fraud trying to report this one (if that's what has happened here.)