How can I report someone else claiming my child?

[ErnieS0]

You can include your child on your tax return as your dependent, if your child qualifies. 

If two people claim the same child, the IRS will ask for more info and discover the other person is illegally claiming your child. Unfortunately, this will delay your refund.

You can also use Form 3949-A, Information Referral to report suspected tax fraud. The IRS does not take tips over the telephone @Teelaree.

How Do You Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity?

[TexasSpock]

Hi Teresa, we were going to get a refund but somehow someone else is using my dependents ss and we got the error code.  My wife and I were going to mail it back but I see your option to amend.I don't know which one of the 3 dependents it is, so I don't know which to remove. Should I use this option if I was to get a refund? Or just send it paper and let irs figure it out. Now we have to look into identity theft 😔

[DanielV01]

Usually the reject code will indicate with a number code that says which dependent is getting the reject.  You can remove the dependents one at a time, and resubmit.  If it is necessary to remove all of the dependents, you may choose to do that if you still are receiving a refund.  Otherwise, mailing it in is a good idea also.  You just won't be able to e-file to claim the dependent already claimed. 

And, yes, if you suspect ID theft, it is also a good idea to report that also.  This Help Article provides more information: What to do if you suspect tax-related identity theft  

[AngelaAveri]

Hi how can I report my daughter father for claiming our daughter on his taxes with out my permission. He got her two Stimulus checks and all of her child tax credit money. We were never married or never has our daughter ever lived with him at anytime in her almost 9 years of her life. He’s Fouced to pay child support once a month as well 

[SweetieJean]

How Do You Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity? | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

You might also hire a lawyer to write him a Cease and Desist letter.

[TomD8]

If you e-filed your return and it was rejected because your daughter had already been claimed on another return, then print your return and mail it in.  (That is how you "report" your daughter's father.)  The IRS will sort it out and determine which parent has the rightful claim.  The loser will then get hit for any back taxes, penalties, and interest.

[xmasbaby0]

@AngelaAveri  First of all, in order to claim your child yourself, you need to prepare your own tax return(s) that claim her and then mail them in.   The IRS will sort out who can claim the child, based on who can show that the child lived with them.   If your child's father already filed and used the child's Social Security number, you will not be able to e-file, so that is why you have to mail the returns.

You can use the recovery rebate credit for the stimulus checks.   On a 2020 return go to Federal Review to use the recovery rebate credit to get the 1st and 2nd stimulus amounts.  On a 2021 return use the recovery rebate credit to get the 3rd stimulus check.   You will also want to seek the child tax credit for your child if she is under the age of 18.

You do not mention which tax years he has done this for.   If you need to file a 2021 return you can still prepare it online and print, sign and mail it.   But any earlier tax years must be prepared using the downloaded program on a full PC or Mac.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 and 2019 and 2020 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2018, 2019 or 2020 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0... 

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.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline.  If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900655-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-tax-related-identity-theft

Most important) Follow the IRS procedures for reporting a fraudulent return, documented here: www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft

IRS INFORMATION REFERRAL TO REPORT VIOLATION OF TAX LAW

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3949a.pdf

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.

6-digit IP NUMBER FROM IRS

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/bulletins/2af48f0?reqfrom=share

[Tyshiann]

Somebody file my kid don’t my problems on the tax

[Mike9241]

claim your child. you'll have to mail in your return.   eventually, each of you will get a notice to amend (remove the dependent). if the other party doesn't then each of you will get a second notice asking for proof that they are entitled to claim the person. this would include things like the birth certificate, doctor records, school records, picture of you and the child in their room, signed affidavits from neighbors, etc.

[Jivjiv]

A lady named tanadya steward claimed 2 of my kids on her 2021 taxes when I tried to claim them.,because the lived with me all year.when I tried to file them it wouldn't go through.she worked at Jackson Hewitt..she braged about it in front of people because I didn't go to her brother funeral..I hated him he physically an mentally abused us.She said she would get away with it because she works at Jackson Hewitt

[xmasbaby0]

@Jivjiv If someone else claimed your dependents and then your e-file was rejected, you need to file your correct tax return that claims your children and file it by MAIL.   The IRS will then sort out who could claim the children.  If you have not already done so then you can still file that 2021 return that claims your children.

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.

There is no point in posting personal information about the person who claimed your children here in this user forum.  TurboTax cannot sort it out for you or intervene with the IRS for you. 

 Please remove the personal information you posted here ASAP by returning to your post and clicking the three little blue dots on the upper right to edit your post.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900655-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-tax-related-identity-theft

Most important) Follow the IRS procedures for reporting a fraudulent return, documented here: www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft

IRS INFORMATION REFERRAL TO REPORT VIOLATION OF TAX LAW

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3949a.pdf

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.

6-digit IP NUMBER FROM IRS

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/bulletins/2af48f0?reqfrom=share

[indigolilyaili]

This has happened to me. My children are in my care between 80-90% of the time. I am their custodial parent, whom they reside with 8-9 months out of the year. I did not give my ex permission to claim. He always files before me and claims the children. I have sent in my paper forms in the past with correct fraud form, copy of decree, and statements from schools and doctors as proof.  There has been no investigation or letters or rescinding of his taxes at all. There is noone to speak to at IRS regarding this matter. Hoping also to find information on this site.

[ee-ea]

@indigolilyaili 

Get an IP pin for kids

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

[TomD8]

@indigolilyaili --

E-file this year's return as soon as you can.  If the IRS computers receive your return before his, then his will be rejected.  The IRS starts accepting e-filed returns this coming Monday, January 29th.