topic federal tax and state return was rejected in After you file

federal tax and state return was rejected

dresslered — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:28:05 GMT

When trying to e-file my tax return, it was immediately rejected by Federal and State. TurboTax then displayed the following error:

A Dependent SSN in the return must not be the same as the Primary or Spouse SSN on another return where ‘PrimaryClaimAsDependentInd’ or ‘SpouseClaimAsDependentInd’ is not checked.

This return has been rejected by the IRS because a dependent on this tax return, has filed their own tax return without indicating they would be claimed as a dependent. The dependent’s Social Security number (SSN) cannot be used on two separate tax returns, without that indication.........

My dependent son is away at college and apparently filed his own return to get back a couple hundred dollars for taxes he paid during a summer job. Apparently, he neglected to indicate that he would be claimed as a dependent on my return. Is there any easy way to fix this? Surely, this must be a common mistake. Everything that I have read on old posts states that he needs to file an amended (form 1040X) by printing and mailing. Additionally, I have read that I too need to print and mail my returns as well. Is this really true? My tax returns are over 100-pages long and it states that this might take months to process? Do I also need to include a special note with my tax return stating exactly what happened? Thank you for any help.

Re: federal tax and state return was rejected

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 15:36:26 GMT

Sadly you have a very common problem. Teenagers and students do this a lot---they do not understand the significance of saying that they cannot be claimed as dependents and they mess things up for their parents. And---it is true---the only way you can file now is by mail. You will not be able to e-file this year no matter how long you wait. So, go ahead and mail your own return. You do not mail 100+ pages. When you choose to print to file by mail, it will print just the pages needed to send in to the IRS and state, not all of those worksheets.

Your son will have to amend his return, but do not wait for that. His amended return may take months to be processed, and the SSN confusion will not catch up in the system.

No, you do not have to include a special note. They see this all the time.....

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online/00/26258

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Re: federal tax and state return was rejected

dresslered — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:41:07 GMT

Thanks again xmasbaby0 for the quick response. I've been working on my printed versions to send to both the Federal and State, but now just received a call from my son. Even though I told him that he had to print and mail an amended return, he chose to file the amended (using TurboTax) electronically. He said that within an hour of him filing, he received and accepted notification. This is even after he had received his refund. Should I try filing electronically again, or just stick with the mailed return?

Re: federal tax and state return was rejected

DaveF1006 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:36:20 GMT

Did he file his amended return to claim he can be a dependent of someone else? If so, try e filing your return again to see if the IRS database has been updated since he filed his return.

Let us know if this works.

@dresslered