Answer when the IRS contacts you. About two months after you file a paper return, the IRS will begin to determine who is entitled to claim the dependent. You may receive a letter (CP87A) from the IRS, stating that your child was claimed on another return.

What do I do if someone else claimed my child?

If someone else claimed your child 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 child as appropriate. The IRS will process your return and send you your refund, in the normal time.

How can I tell if someone else has claimed my child?

In most cases, you’ll never know that someone else claimed your child, unless you get a notice that your return is rejected because someone has already claimed your dependent. Two people can’t claim the same dependent, so eventually, you’ll receive this notice if you and someone else both claim your child.

How do you find out if someone has claimed you as a dependent?

If this is the case, you’ll likely find out when you file your income tax return. You’ll receive an error stating your or your dependent has been claimed on either their own tax return or someone else’s if you e-file your return. If you paper file, you’ll get a mailed notice from the IRS.

Can a child be claimed on a tax return?

The IRS knows this happens, and has clear-cut ways of determining who has the right to claim a dependent on his tax return. However, the right to claim a child on a tax return is completely independent of any family court orders that may stand.

Can a child be claimed as a dependent on a parent?

Not all incorrect dependent claims are intentional, though. If you’re a teenager or recent college grad, parents may have forgotten to remove your information from their return when you became independent for tax purposes. Divorced parents may have forgotten it is their ex-spouse’s year to claim their kid.