Someone claimed me as a dependent … what happens now?

Hot Discussion
1

I’m in college, and my parents got a letter saying I was claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes. It was a CP87A notice. I lost my Social Security card when moving states, so I’m worried someone might have stolen it.

The letter says I don’t need to do anything, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and nervous about this. I already froze my credit, put an alert, and am getting an ID PIN for future taxes. Do I need to worry about anything else with this notice? What might happen long-term? Any advice would really help!

2

Good chance to learn about taxes while you’re still in school. Also, go over any forms you sign closely since you’ll be accountable for them.

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If your parents claimed you as a dependent but it was flagged because someone else claimed you, they may need to file a paper return. One or both of the returns where you’re claimed might get reviewed.

You can file Form 14039 with the IRS to report any issues with your SSN, and they can issue a yearly IP-PIN for your return. This would require any return filed with your SSN to include your unique PIN for it to go through.

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Was the notice for the 2023 tax year?

Did you file a tax return for 2023 yourself?

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Reagan said:
Was the notice for the 2023 tax year?

Did you file a tax return for 2023 yourself?

Yes, it was for 2023, and I believe my parents did, but I’ll double-check.

6

Ash said:

Reagan said:
Was the notice for the 2023 tax year?

Did you file a tax return for 2023 yourself?

Yes, it was for 2023, and I believe my parents did, but I’ll double-check.

They should check if they accidentally filed your return without saying you could be claimed as a dependent.

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@Reagan
They didn’t; it’s the same Social Security number.

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Ash said:
@Reagan
They didn’t; it’s the same Social Security number.

Not sure what you mean by that … did they file a separate return for you? That’s what needs checking.

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Reagan said:

Ash said:
@Reagan
They didn’t; it’s the same Social Security number.

Not sure what you mean by that … did they file a separate return for you? That’s what needs checking.

Sorry, I’m new to this and might’ve explained it wrong. They said to check if the Social Security number matched one from another dependent’s return. It was the same one.

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@Ash
Ah, I mean they need to check your individual return and confirm the box is checked that says someone else can claim you.

11

@Ash
They mean checking that you didn’t accidentally say no one else can claim you.

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Ash said:
@Reagan
They didn’t; it’s the same Social Security number.

Did you have any income in 2023? If so, you may have filed a return yourself. If so, you should’ve marked that you could be claimed on your parents’ return. This is usually the case if you had a summer job and wanted to get any taxes back.

Could this be what happened? If the box was left unchecked, that would be the problem.

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@Teal
I haven’t filed any returns myself. I’m still claimed as my parents’ dependent, so I think it’s actual fraud.

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Ash said:
@Reagan
They didn’t; it’s the same Social Security number.

Look at the 1040 return filed for you. There’s a box under ‘Standard Deduction’ that should say ‘Someone can claim you as a dependent.’

If that box wasn’t checked, then technically it’s like you claimed yourself. That’s why everyone’s asking if that might be the issue here.

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@Geeanne
Thank you for explaining. I only fill out the forms my parents send me; they handle the rest. I’ll check with them about this.

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Ash said:
@Geeanne
Thank you for explaining. I only fill out the forms my parents send me; they handle the rest. I’ll check with them about this.

Definitely ask them to double-check that box.

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@Geeanne
Thanks! I’ll make sure they check.

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Ash said:
@Geeanne
Thank you for explaining. I only fill out the forms my parents send me; they handle the rest. I’ll check with them about this.

Not to be rude, but you’re in college and really should know how to file taxes. It’s an important life skill.

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I think there’s some confusion here.

Did your parents file a separate tax return for any income you earned?

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Ripley said:
I think there’s some confusion here.

Did your parents file a separate tax return for any income you earned?

Yes, my parents did (I’m their dependent).