Does anyone know anything about having to mail in taxes because someone has already claimed your dependents and didn't have the right to?

[8d4566a62d0a]

someone else claimed my kids, so my return got rejected. how do i fix this?

[CatinaT1]

If someone else claimed your dependent inappropriately, and if they file first, your return will be rejected if e-filed.  

You would then need to file a return on paper, claiming the dependent appropriately. The IRS will process your return and send you your refund, in the reasonable time. Shortly (up to a year) after that, you'll receive a letter from the IRS, stating that your dependent was claimed on another return. It will tell you that if you made a mistake to file an amended return and if you didn't make a mistake, do nothing. The other party will get the same letter you did. If one of you doesn't file an amended return, unclaiming the child, the next letter, from the IRS, will require you to provide proof. Be sure to reply on time. 

If you are entitled to claim a dependent you would get the tax benefits; the other  filer gets to pay the IRS back with penalties and interest.”   

[Opus 17]

Sorry, there's no fix.  Just print, sign and mail your return.  Don't include any proof or other documents.  The IRS will process your return and pay your refund, expect it to take 4-5 weeks instead of 3 weeks.  You may want to use a mail service with delivery tracking.

In 6-9 months, the IRS will mail letters to both claimants to start an investigation.  That is when you will send back copies of documents and other things to prove your case.

If this is a not a custody issue, and you think your child is the victim of identity theft, you can get an IP-PIN for them, which will prevent someone from e-filing with them next year.

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin