topic Re: Sending my return in gave me a Duplicate Social Security Number error but this is my first time attempting to file. What should I do? in Retirement tax questions

Sending my return in gave me a Duplicate Social Security Number error but this is my first time attempting to file. What should I do?

itzjustcassius — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:39:09 GMT

Re: Sending my return in gave me a Duplicate Social Security Number error but this is my first time attempting to file. What should I do?

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:30:08 GMT

Check your SSN in My Info and make sure it is correct. If it is correct then somehow your SSN has already been used on a tax return by someone. You will not be able to e-file. You will need to print, sign and mail your tax return and let the IRS sort out the SSN duplication.

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: Sending my return in gave me a Duplicate Social Security Number error but this is my first time attempting to file. What should I do?

SteamTrain — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:58:37 GMT

And...if you are a college student, under age 24 by the end of 2022, you might be claimed as a dependent on yoru parent's tax return. (Or perhaps even a HS student?)

IF that is the case, you needed to indicate that you can be claimed as someone else's dependent in the My Info section. After properly indicating that, you should be able to e-file, even if your parents already claimed you.....assuming they properly did so.

Re: Sending my return in gave me a Duplicate Social Security Number error but this is my first time attempting to file. What should I do?

maglib — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 07:04:56 GMT

@itzjustcassius

The IRS rejects e-filed returns that contain incorrect, mismatched, or already-filed Social Security numbers, birth dates, or names. Here are a few ways this can happen:

You accidentally entered the wrong Social Security number or date of birth.
The name or date of birth you entered doesn't match IRS records for that Social Security number.
A former spouse/relative claimed your dependent on their return and filed before you did.
Your dependent already claimed himself/herself on their own return (or your parent already claimed you as their dependent) and filed before you did.
Someone else filed their return using your, your spouse's, or your dependent's Social Security number.

If you verified that the info you entered is correct and you e-file again, the IRS e-file servers will almost certainly reject your return for the same reason. In this case, your only option is to paper-file (mail) your return. See the articles below for more info on commonly-encountered rejections caused by incorrect, mismatched, or already-filed personal info.

Important: If you believe someone filed a fraudulent return using your Social Security number, we have recommended actions.

follow this link to TT response to your question:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WLZWKee1_Y