Best Way to Report Someone Claiming Your Child on Taxes

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circumstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help.

A Guide On How to Report Someone Claiming Your Child On Taxes

If you are asking how to report someone claiming your child on taxes, you're not alone. It's a fairly common occurrence. A child is claimed as a dependent by two ex-spouses on their tax forms in the same year. Or by two people, whatever their relationship, who think they are eligible to do so. What does the law say about who can claim a child on their taxes? Generally, the parent or guardian with whom the child lived during the majority of the year has the right to claim the child as a dependent for tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has special "tiebreaker rules" in place to determine who has the right to claim the child as a dependent.

But what happens when you are the eligible person, yet someone else, whether by mistake or purposely, claimed your child on their tax form? You need to find out promptly how to . Addressing the problem by approaching the guilty person and accusing them of tax fraud doesn't solve the problem and may even trigger a violent response. You could report the tax fraud issue to the IRS yourself and be prepared for a potential audit – not a prospect most people would welcome.

But there is another option. DoNotPay can help. We have a faster, more convenient, automated, less frustrating way to solve most legal issues, including how to report someone who claimed your relative on taxes without your permission.

Is Falsely Claiming a Child as a Dependent Considered Tax Fraud?

If it was done on purpose, yes. It's considered tax evasion. That's a felony with potentially severe criminal penalties.

Why Should You Report Someone Claiming Your Child on Taxes?

In any case, if you are eligible to claim the child, you deserve to reap the tax benefit. Other reasons depend upon the circumstances.

  • Did the person who claimed your child on their taxes know they didn't have the right to do so? If so, the offense would be considered tax evasion, a crime warranting penalty.
  • Do you know for sure who claimed your child on their taxes? If you were notified by the IRS that someone else made a claim, but you aren't familiar with the individual, identity theft may be an issue. Other, more serious problems may result if the person who made the claim is not held responsible.

How to Report Someone Claiming Your Child On Taxes On Your Own

  1. Print out and mail a paper return.
  2. Document your case. You must have proof the child lived with you for more than half the year.
  3. Speak with the IRS when they contact you. Be prepared for an audit, and perhaps the need to make an appeal, if the decision isn't made in your favor.
  4. Know your rights throughout the process. Get advice about your options.

Next Steps for Reporting Someone Claiming Your Child on Taxes If You Can't Do It Yourself

A couple of options you might consider at this stage are:

  • Contact an official tax preparer
  • Consult with a lawyer

If you can't report someone claiming your child on their taxes yourself, consulting either is a hassle. A traditional law firm can be a difficult and expensive process. However, there is a third option that’s better and easier.

Solve the Problem With the Help of DoNotPay

How to Report Someone Claiming Your Child on Taxes With the Help of DoNotPay

If you want to report tax fraud but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered. Create your own cancellation letter in 5 easy steps:

  1. Open the DoNotPay Report Tax Fraud product.
  2. Enter the business you would like to report for tax fraud.
  3. Provide the details of suspicious activity and as much evidence as you can provide.
  4. Confirm your contact information.
  5. DoNotPay will automatically generate the official report and send it on your behalf. The IRS will contact you regarding cash rewards once the case is investigated.

Why Use DoNotPay to Solve the Problem of Reporting Someone Claiming Your Child on Taxes?

DoNotPay delivers fast results, is easy to use, and is successful.

FastThey get to the bottom of the issue and take action to report an ineligible party claiming your child on their taxes.
EasyThere is no struggle to fill out forms or keep a detailed record of each step required to resolve the issue.
SuccessfulDoNotPay is successful in obtaining results in keeping with the legal process. We will make the best case possible to report what happened and resolve the problem of the wrong person .

DoNotPay Works Across All Companies/Entities/Groups With the Click of a Button

We don't just approach the individual, group, or company directly involved in your issue. DoNotPay, the world's first AI Consumer Champion, can deal with any entity necessary to resolve the problem of an undeserving person claiming your child on their taxes. We work across all borders.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

We can address a wide range of legal problems for you, saving time and money. We do our best to deliver the result you deserve. DoNotPay can also help with reporting other tax fraud cases such as:

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