Just out of curiosity and because someone may be using my number, I was just wondering, what can happen if two people try to file taxes using the same Social Security number? I mean, can either one be punished or how does the law find out who and where that other person lives? What is the whole process and what exactly can happen?
2007-06-18 06:21:32 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ Other - Taxes
The IRS will contact both taxpayers and ask for them to correct the situation.
I've had someone use my SSN for work purposes twice. One was tied to a phony name and was used at a job on the other side of the country. That was easy to resolve with the IRS.
The other one had my name and SSN and the job was local to where I was living, most likely a "dumpster diver" got my details. I had to get sworn statements from the employer that I was not the actual person who had worked there (the other party had skipped town) as proof that the income wasn't mine.
Most of the time when your SSN is used unlawfully for employment purposes, the other party will NOT file a tax return. You however may be contacted by the IRS since you didn't report that income on your return. If there's a name mis-match, the IRS will usually just drop the issue but if the scammer has your correct name as well it gets a bit messier. You will have to jump through a few hoops with the IRS possibly, but it won't cost you anything as long as you respond to their inquiries in a timely manner.
2007-06-18 06:51:58 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Two people would not legitimately have the same social security number. If two tax returns are filed using the same number, the IRS would investigate and sort it out. If somebody just made a mistake like transposing two numbers, they'd correct it and all would be OK. If somebody is using your number illegally, then they'd be caught and punished.
If a mistake was made by social security and the same number was issued twice, then the social security admin would have to straighten it out, by issuing one or both people a new number.
2007-06-18 13:31:18 · answer #2 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Each social security no. is assigned to a person, the IRS processes tax returns by this number. As to what would happen by checking the IRS site, they would contact you to ensure that Identity theft was not occurring.
2007-06-18 13:34:46 · answer #3 · answered by Alan C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are the person using the SSN illegally will not file taxes- once the IRS finds that the legitimate owner of that number files they will try to accuse them of tax evasion.
Somebody used my SSN once and it took a while for the IRS to understand that I was not in 2 places at once!
Just remember with the IRS you are guilty until proven innocent. You have to prove you didn't really get that money. If you know someone is using your ID you need to report it ASAP.
Hey Boston apparently somebody doesn't like that we gave the correct answers here.
2007-06-18 13:33:16 · answer #4 · answered by professorc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have a hot potatoe here; contact the social security dept or IRS. Wrongdoer is in deep do-do.
2007-06-18 16:12:25 · answer #5 · answered by acmeraven 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you suspect that someone is using your social security #, then you need to contact your local social security office asap.
2007-06-18 13:29:53 · answer #6 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will be an investigation
2007-06-18 13:28:52 · answer #7 · answered by Icey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋