Is your tax return giving you a headache because of a wrong date of birth? Don't worry, you're not alone! It's a common oversight, and fortunately, it's usually fixable. Whether you're still working on your return or have already filed, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the necessary steps to correct your date of birth on TurboTax. Let's get this sorted out, shall we?
Correcting Your Date of Birth on TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process for changing your date of birth in TurboTax largely depends on whether you've already filed your tax return. We'll cover both scenarios in detail.
Scenario 1: You HAVEN'T Filed Your Tax Return Yet
This is the easiest scenario to fix! If your return is still in progress, you can simply go back into the "My Info" section and update the incorrect date.
Step 1: Log In and Access Your Return
Ready to dive in? First things first, you'll need to log in to your TurboTax account.
Open your web browser and go to the TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com).
Log in with your username and password. If you have multiple returns, make sure you select the correct one you're currently working on.
Step 2: Navigate to the "My Info" Section
Once you're in your return, it's time to find the personal information section.
Look for the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section on the left-hand navigation bar or at the beginning of the tax interview process. This is where all your foundational data is stored.
Click on it to expand the details.
Step 3: Locate and Edit Your Date of Birth
Now for the actual correction!
Within the "My Info" section, you'll see your personal details, including your name, Social Security Number, and date of birth.
Carefully review all the information. You'll likely see a field for "Date of Birth" for yourself and any other individuals listed on the return (spouse, dependents).
Click on the incorrect date of birth field. A calendar or input box should appear.
Enter the correct date of birth in the required format (usually MM/DD/YYYY). Double-check this for accuracy!
Step 4: Save Your Changes and Continue
Don't forget to save!
After making the correction, look for a "Done", "Continue", or "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. Click it to ensure your changes are saved.
You can then continue preparing and filing your return with the accurate information.
Pro Tip: It's a great habit to always review your "My Info" section before you e-file your return, just to catch any last-minute errors!
Scenario 2: You HAVE Already Filed Your Tax Return (and it was Rejected)
If you've already e-filed your return and it was rejected specifically due to an incorrect date of birth (often with an IRS reject code like IND-524), good news! This is generally an easy fix.
Step 1: Access Your Rejected Return
The first step is to get back into the return that was rejected.
Log in to your TurboTax account.
On your TurboTax home screen, you should see a notification about your rejected return. Look for an option like "Fix my return" or "Correct and re-file." Click on this.
Step 2: Navigate to "My Info" and Correct the Date
Similar to the pre-filing process, you'll need to go to your personal information.
TurboTax will typically guide you back to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section.
Locate the incorrect date of birth for the individual whose DOB caused the rejection (usually the primary taxpayer or spouse).
Enter the correct date of birth. Be absolutely sure this time! Verify it against your official documents like your birth certificate or Social Security card.
Step 3: Re-file Your Return
Once the correction is made, you'll need to submit your return again.
Follow the on-screen prompts in TurboTax to re-file your return electronically.
TurboTax will guide you through the final steps of reviewing and submitting.
Keep an eye on your email for confirmation that your return has been accepted this time.
Important Note: If the onscreen date in TurboTax already appeared correct, but your return was still rejected for DOB, it might indicate a mismatch with the IRS's records. In this rare case, you might need to print and mail your return instead of e-filing. We'll touch more on this in the FAQs.
Scenario 3: You HAVE Already Filed Your Tax Return (and it was ACCEPTED)
This is the most complex scenario, as you cannot simply "change" the date within an already accepted return. If your return was accepted by the IRS with an incorrect date of birth, you will generally need to amend your tax return using Form 1040-X.
Step 1: Determine if an Amendment is Necessary
First, evaluate the impact of the incorrect DOB.
Does the incorrect date of birth affect your tax liability (e.g., eligibility for credits or deductions)? For instance, if a dependent's age was incorrect and it changed your ability to claim the Child Tax Credit, an amendment is likely necessary.
If the incorrect DOB was a minor clerical error and did not impact your tax liability or eligibility for any credits/deductions, the IRS may not require an amendment. However, it's always best practice to have accurate information. If in doubt, amending is safer.
Step 2: Initiate an Amended Return in TurboTax
TurboTax makes amending returns relatively straightforward.
Log in to your TurboTax account.
Find the tax year for which you need to amend the return.
Look for an option to "Amend a return" or "Correct my return". The exact wording might vary slightly depending on the TurboTax version or year.
TurboTax will typically create a copy of your original return and guide you through the amendment process.
Step 3: Correct the Date of Birth on the Amended Return
This is where you make the critical change.
Once you're in the amendment process, navigate back to the "My Info" or "Personal Info" section.
Locate the incorrect date of birth and change it to the correct one.
TurboTax will then prompt you to explain why you are amending the return. You should indicate that you are correcting personal information, specifically a date of birth.
Step 4: Review and Prepare Form 1040-X
TurboTax will automatically generate Form 1040-X, the Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Carefully review Form 1040-X to ensure all the changes are reflected correctly.
The form will show your original figures, the adjustments, and the corrected figures. Make sure the explanation for the amendment is clear.
Step 5: File Your Amended Return (Usually by Mail)
This is a crucial distinction for accepted returns.
Most amended returns (Form 1040-X) still need to be printed and mailed to the IRS. While the IRS is moving towards e-filing for amended returns for current and two prior tax periods, it's still often recommended to mail them, especially for date of birth corrections. TurboTax will inform you if e-filing is an option for your specific situation.
If mailing:
Print out Form 1040-X and any supporting forms or schedules.
Sign and date the return in the appropriate places.
Mail your amended return to the correct IRS address. TurboTax will provide the mailing address for your specific state and form. It's essential to send it to the right place!
Note: Amended returns take significantly longer for the IRS to process (typically 8-16 weeks, sometimes more). You can track its status using the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool on the IRS website.
Beyond TurboTax: Checking with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
Sometimes, the issue isn't with TurboTax itself, but with a mismatch between the date of birth you entered and the date of birth the IRS has on file for you. The IRS primarily gets this information from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
If you repeatedly get rejections for an incorrect date of birth, even after confirming it's correct in TurboTax, it's a strong indication that the SSA might have an error in their records.
How to Check and Correct Your DOB with the SSA:
Contact the Social Security Administration: You can call them or visit your local SSA office.
Provide Proof of Your Correct Date of Birth: You will need to provide official documents, such as your birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued identification, to prove your correct date of birth.
Request a Correction: The SSA will update their records, which will then eventually be reflected with the IRS. This process can take some time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to changing your date of birth on TurboTax, with quick answers:
How to check if my TurboTax return was rejected due to DOB?
You'll typically receive an email from TurboTax notifying you of the rejection, often with an IRS reject code (like IND-524 for a date of birth mismatch) and instructions to fix it. You'll also see this status when you log into your TurboTax account.
How to fix a DOB error on TurboTax if I haven't paid yet?
If you haven't paid or filed, simply navigate to the "My Info" section, locate the date of birth field, correct it, and then save your changes.
How to amend my state tax return if my DOB was incorrect?
After amending your federal return (Form 1040-X) in TurboTax, you'll need to check your state's specific guidelines for amending a state return. Many states have their own amended return forms (often with an 'X' suffix, like Form 1040-X), and you'll typically use the corrected information from your federal amendment to complete it.
How to find the "My Info" section in TurboTax?
After logging in, look for a tab or link labeled "My Info," "Personal Info," or "Personal Information" usually located on the left-hand navigation menu or as the first section in the tax interview flow.
How to avoid DOB errors on future tax returns?
Always double-check your "My Info" section in TurboTax against official documents (like your Social Security card or birth certificate) before you finalize and e-file your return.
How to contact TurboTax customer support for help with a DOB issue?
You can typically access TurboTax customer support through their website by logging into your account and looking for a "Help" or "Contact Us" option. They may offer chat, phone, or community forums for assistance.
How to know if my amended return with a DOB correction has been processed?
You can check the status of your amended return on the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" tool on their website (irs.gov/amendedreturn). You'll need your Social Security Number, date of birth, and ZIP code.
How to proceed if the IRS has the wrong DOB on file?
If your e-filed return is rejected due to a DOB mismatch and you've confirmed your entry in TurboTax is correct, you'll need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to get their records updated. Once the SSA corrects their records, the IRS records will eventually update. You may need to mail your return in the interim.
How to tell if an incorrect DOB impacted my tax refund or owed amount?
Compare the tax calculation with the incorrect DOB to what it would be with the correct DOB. If your age or a dependent's age affects eligibility for credits (like the Child Tax Credit, EITC) or deductions, then it likely impacted your tax liability.
How to handle a DOB error if I used TurboTax Desktop CD/Download version?
For the desktop software, you'll open your tax file, navigate to the "My Info" section, make the correction, and then follow the steps to either re-file (if rejected) or amend (if accepted). The process is very similar to the online version, but all files are stored locally on your computer.
