Tax refund delays are a common frustration for taxpayers, especially for families counting on their refunds for essential expenses. One issue that often caused such delays is the duplicate dependent claims that require time-consuming reviews by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
And just recently, the IRS has announced an initiative-taking approach to address this concern. Starting in the 2025 filing season, the IRS will now accept electronically filed duplicate dependent returns if the primary taxpayer provides an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).
What is a Duplicate Dependent Return and How Does It Delay a Tax Refund?
A duplicate dependent return happens when more than one tax return claims the same individual as a dependent in the same tax year. And since the IRS only allows one taxpayer to claim a dependent per tax year, a second tax return with the same dependent will trigger an IRS review, often resulting in delays for all the parties involved.
In the past years, the IRS would automatically reject an electronically filed duplicate dependent return since such scenarios require a paper return. This slows down the entire process, including tax refunds, since a taxpayer would have to manually prepare the return and then the IRS having to manually review their submitted paper return.
But this should not be a problem anymore in the next filing season if you have an IRS IP PIN.
What is an IP PIN?
An IP PIN is a six-digit number the IRS issues to taxpayers to protect them from identity-theft and ensure that only authorized individuals will file their returns using their Social Security Number (SSN).
For the 2025 tax filing season, they are expanding its use for taxpayers to be able to electronically file a duplicate dependent return without being rejected by the IRS.
Those planning to take advantage of this IRS’s initiative must get an IP PIN ready for the next filing season. To get one, a taxpayer must first create and log in to an IRS Online Account and verify their identity. The IRS Online Account is the easiest and fastest way to get an IP PIN.
For more information on the IRS PIN and other ways to receive one, read our dedicated blog The IRS IP PIN: What is It and How to Get One.
Claiming Duplicate Dependents using an IP PIN
Next filing season, if one of your dependents has already been claimed in another taxpayer’s return, you can already file your return electronically if your IP PIN was entered when you file. The dependents and the spouse (for joint filers) need not provide an IP PIN if they don’t have one.
If you don’t have an IP PIN, the IRS will continue to reject your electronically filed duplicate dependent return. However, if you are able to obtain an IP PIN and refile the return electronically, the IRS will accept them assuming there is no other filing issues related to the return. And of course, a taxpayer still has the option to file a paper return.
Want to learn more?
You may want to consult and work with 1099 Accountant – We offer online bookkeeping, online advisory services and online tax and accounting services. We offer reasonable rates. We only work with independent contractors, freelancers, and one-person business. We work with locum tenens from California to New York City and everywhere in between. Yes, even Hawaii!
Contact us toll-free (855)529-1099 or make an appointment for a free consultation. Contact Us
