Can a tax preparer file my child's taxes without my permission?

If I report the tax preparer to someone, who would that even be? Is there like a tax preparer police or something? And is it worth filing an amended return if it's just for a small amount?

Tax preparers can be reported to the IRS using Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer). If they're a CPA, you can also report them to your state's Board of Accountancy. If they're an Enrolled Agent, report to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility. Whether to file an amended return depends on the potential refund increase. Even "small" amounts might be worth it if the process isn't too complicated. Remember, it's your money that you're legally entitled to receive. I'd recommend calculating the potential increase before deciding.

How does it actually work with a dependent's return? My son has investment income and I'm always worried his preparer is missing stuff.

Is this legit? Seems weird to trust an AI with your taxes when an actual human professional screwed up. What makes you think this won't make similar mistakes?

It handles dependent returns really well. You can upload all your child's financial documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and it specifically analyzes for dependent-specific credits and deductions. It even helped me understand when my son's investment income required a separate return versus when it could be included on my own. The difference from human preparers is it doesn't "rush" or take shortcuts. It systematically reviews everything against current tax laws and IRS regulations. It's literally designed to find the inconsistencies and missing information that human preparers might overlook, especially during busy tax season. It won't file anything without your explicit review and approval, which was the original issue.

Wait how does this actually work? Does it just sit on hold for you or something? I've literally never been able to reach the IRS no matter when I call.

This sounds like complete BS. Nobody gets through to the IRS that quickly. I bet they just connect you to some random call center pretending to be the IRS. I'll stick to waiting on hold for 3 hours like everyone else.

It basically navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an actual IRS agent picks up, you get a call connecting you directly to them. No more waiting on hold for hours. This is absolutely connecting you to the real IRS. It's just automating the hold process. You're speaking with the same agents you'd reach if you waited on hold yourself, just without wasting your day. It's especially useful during tax season when wait times are ridiculous.

Thanks for confirming this! So what would you recommend I do now? Should I just request an amended return or should I also file a complaint? I don't want to overreact but I'm also pretty upset about this.

You should definitely request an amended return with the additional information you have. This is your right and will get you the full refund you're entitled to. Regarding filing a complaint, that depends on how the preparer responds when you confront them about this issue. If they acknowledge their mistake, take responsibility, and fix it promptly without charging you additional fees, you might give them a second chance. However, if they're defensive or dismissive, then yes, I would file a complaint with the appropriate body depending on their credentials (IRS, state board, or professional organization).

Same happened to me, but I used FreeTaxUSA for the amended return and it made the process a lot easier. Their interface walks you through exactly what changed from the original return.