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Returning Member
posted Nov 29, 2019 8:54:21 AM

received a notice CP87A from the IRS. They say my child cannot file a return if I claim her on my return and want her to amend her return. She checked the "someone can claim you as a dependant box. she made less than 2000 dollars.

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24 Replies
Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 8:57:29 AM

The notice said "from another taxpayer" which may NOT be her ... so if your return and her return are both correct you have nothing to amend.  

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp87a-notice

What this notice is about

We sent you this notice because we received a tax return from another taxpayer claiming a dependent or qualifying child with the same social security number as a dependent or qualifying child listed on your tax return. The last four digits of the social security number for each dependent or qualifying child we’re concerned about is shown on the notice for your review.

Returning Member
Nov 29, 2019 8:59:23 AM

to amend my comment, she is a student under 21 and i qualify to claim her. The IRS said the same SSN cannot be claimed on two different returns. Why doesn't TTAX alert her to this fact when she was filing the claim?

Returning Member
Nov 29, 2019 9:01:13 AM

Thank you but I just talked to the IRS and both forms are correct, no one else is claiming her, yet they state that she cannot claim file the return if I claim her.

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:04:27 AM

Again ... if she filed as a dependent and you correctly claimed her then you will do NOTHING.  It is possible that you BOTH filed correctly  and ... there was another  person that claimed the child ... probably by mistake  or someone did it on purpose ( hello ID fraud).  SO if you are correct then you will do nothing at this time. 

 

From the link I gave you :

What you need to do

  • Compare the social security numbers from your notice with the social security card for each dependent or qualifying child you listed on your tax return.
  • Review the rules for claiming each dependent or qualifying child. After reviewing the rules:
    • If you find you’re entitled to claim the dependent, you don’t need to write or send anything to us.
    • If you find you listed someone who doesn't qualify as your dependent or qualifying child, you must correct your return by filing a Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. The instructions for this form will guide you through the steps to correct your return. Mail your amended return to the IRS service center shown in the instructions.

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:06:52 AM

That makes NO SENSE if BOTH returns are correct ... if you claimed her AND she did NOT claim herself. LOOK at both returns carefully then call again and see if you can get someone to explain the notice.

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:12:22 AM

If she only made $2000 in wages then the only thing she should be filing for is a refund of the fed/state withholdings. Was there something else on the return ?

Returning Member
Nov 29, 2019 9:12:57 AM

Thank you again. Yes, we reviewed both claims with the IRS rep on the phone and my child's return was checked "someone else can claim you as a dependent". The IRS simply said " one of you must amend your return because two returns cannot be filed with the same SSN. I dont know who else to talk to.

Returning Member
Nov 29, 2019 9:13:41 AM

no, simple return just looking to get her withholding.

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:14:01 AM

You may wish to talk to someone next week in real time to get to the bottom of this issue. 

 

I GOT A LETTER FROM THE IRS   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3605673-i-got-a-letter-or-notice-from-the-irs

 

I AM BEING AUDITED

If you purchased Audit Defense:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2924451-i-bought-max-or-audit-defense-and-now-i-m-being-audited

 

AUDIT SUPPORT

https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/irs-notice/audit-support/

Level 7
Nov 29, 2019 9:25:24 AM

I agree that you need to get someone from the IRS who can explain the "error" (which, if it is exactly as you stated, NOT an error.  My kids had summer jobs when they were in high school and college.  They always filed a return and did NOT claim themselves (checked "someone else can claim me on a return") and we never had a problem.  I filed my regular return and claimed them as dependents.  As Critter stated above, there might be some ID fraud.  (We also went through that ordeal).  Call them next week and good luck.

Returning Member
Nov 29, 2019 9:31:17 AM

When she checked the "Someone can claim you as a dependent" box, she was not claiming herself, correct?

Returning Member
Nov 29, 2019 9:38:19 AM

Same situation for me. This is my fourth child and I have never had this issue before. The IRS rep didnt seem to indicate that there was a third party, only that one of us (me or my child) needed to amend thier returns because, and I quote " two returns cannot be submitted claiming the same SSN". I have now talked to two IRS reps with no resolution. Is there a higher authority within IRS I should be talking to?

 

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:47:59 AM


@mikewojo wrote:

When she checked the "Someone can claim you as a dependent" box, she was not claiming herself, correct?


That is correct.

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:51:11 AM


@mikewojo wrote:

Same situation for me. This is my fourth child and I have never had this issue before. The IRS rep didnt seem to indicate that there was a third party, only that one of us (me or my child) needed to amend thier returns because, and I quote " two returns cannot be submitted claiming the same SSN". I have now talked to two IRS reps with no resolution. Is there a higher authority within IRS I should be talking to?

 


As has been stated, it appears that both tax returns are correct.  If you cannot get any assistance using the IRS agent on a phone call, you may want to take this problem to your local IRS office.

Contact your local IRS office. See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 9:54:06 AM

Look at her 1040 form ... is this box marked ?   If so she did the return correctly. 

 

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 12:32:57 PM

The CP87A notice from the IRS has absolutely nothing to do with your daughter's return in any way, shape, form or fashion. It's only addressing "YOUR" return, and that's it.

The IRS is saying that **YOU** ***PERSONALLY*** are not qualified to claim your daughter as a dependent, because someone else claimed your daughter as a dependent on their tax return.

Are you not married to the father of your daughter? If you are married and you filed as Married Filing Separate, then only one of you can claim the child as a dependent. If not married and you filed as single or head of household, then it "sounds" like the father may have claimed her as a dependent on his tax return. If so, then both you and the father received the CP87A notice. So one of y ou needs to "PROVE" to the IRS that you are qualified to claim your daughter as a dependent.

 

Level 15
Nov 29, 2019 1:56:19 PM

If it was not the child claiming herself then it was SOMEONE ELSE ... most likely someone you both know HOWEVER it could have been a complete stranger ...

 

If your Social Security number is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, take these additional steps:

  • Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided.
  • Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Then print and mail or fax according to the instructions. 
  • Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

Additional Resources

The IRS has a host of useful information and resources on tax-related identity theft:

These sites can help you understand identity theft and how to protect yourself:

 

New Member
Dec 17, 2019 6:53:52 AM

I was hoping you could help me; I received the same notice and its sounds like we have the same situation. What was your outcome?

Level 15
Dec 17, 2019 7:58:13 AM

Since father & daughter both appear to have filed correct returns, my suggestion to the father at this point is to re-file his return on paper (assuming the original return was e-filed).   This will result in a more detailed processing by the IRS and hopefully will resolve the problem.  

Not applicable
Dec 17, 2019 1:02:31 PM

can't say what's wrong.  so the person to contact is the IRS Tax Advocate in your state.

see this link

https://www.irs.gov/advocate/local-taxpayer-advocate

(free)

 

click on the state in the map.

 

or you can use TT audit defense (fee) 

Returning Member
Dec 31, 2019 10:19:59 AM

Hello,

My wife and i are married and file jointly. Our daughter is a full time student under 23. she works to make spending money and made less than $1,800. I claimed her as a dependent because I provide 100% of her support and she filed a claim, stating she was a dependent on someone else's claim, and so she is entitled to the less than $80 she paid in taxes.

The IRS phone rep says two people cannot claim the same SSN on their return, but the law allows me to claim her as I meet all the tests for a qualifying dependent and the law allows her to recover what she paid in taxes, stating in her return that someone else can claim her.

So I am at a loss here and do not know what to do next.

Level 15
Dec 31, 2019 10:33:33 AM

For 2018?  Check her return and make sure this box is checked.  I guess if it is then send them another copy showing it.  

 

Expert Alumni
Dec 31, 2019 10:40:03 AM

@mikewojo  As mentioned by a previous poster, if you haven't been able to get things resolved with the IRS directly, you should contact the Taxpayer Advocate by clicking here: https://www.irs.gov/Advocate/The-Taxpayer-Advocate-Service-Is-Your-Voice-at-the-IRS .  The Taxpayer Advocate is there to help you deal with the IRS when you are unable to get things straightened out on your own.


 

Returning Member
Dec 31, 2019 11:29:07 AM

Thanks and I have been attempting to contact the tax advocate but with no success. Seems they are as busy as the IRS