FreeTaxUSA rejected my return saying I already filed - need help!

I was trying to file my taxes through FreeTaxUSA this past weekend but got rejected with a message saying someone had already filed using my social security number. They gave me a number for the fraud hotline which freaked me out. After calling like 20 times, I finally reached someone at the IRS who told me there's actually nothing filed under my name and nothing was rejected. So confusing!! I think what might have happened is that I started a return with H&R Block first. I was just checking how much my refund would be with them, but never actually submitted it (just wanted to compare). I deleted my H&R Block account after deciding to go with FreeTaxUSA instead. Now FreeTaxUSA is only giving me the option to mail in my return. Will sending it by mail slow down getting my refund?? I was really counting on getting that money sometime soon. Or am I even getting a refund at this point? Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation using FreeTaxUSA? How did you resolve it and how long did it take? I'm so confused and worried right now.

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18 comments

TillyCombatwarrior

•8M

This happens more often than you'd think. When you started your return with H&R Block, they likely created what's called a "Filing Status Record" in the IRS e-file system, even though you didn't complete the filing. This record exists to prevent duplicate filings but can cause exactly the situation you're experiencing. The good news is that since the IRS confirmed nothing has been filed under your SSN, you're still eligible to receive your refund. The bad news is that yes, filing by mail will significantly slow down the process. Paper returns typically take 6-8 weeks to process compared to the 21 days or less for e-filed returns. You have a couple of options: You can try contacting FreeTaxUSA's customer service directly to explain the situation - sometimes they can help you clear the e-file rejection by providing additional verification. Alternatively, you can try using a different tax software altogether, as the rejection might be specific to FreeTaxUSA's system.

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TillyCombatwarrior

•8M

You might have better luck with another tax software. The rejection isn't necessarily coming from the IRS itself but could be related to how FreeTaxUSA is interpreting the response from the IRS e-file system. To clear the Filing Status Record, you would typically need to contact the IRS directly at their e-file department (not the general hotline). Ask specifically about clearing any pending e-file status records under your SSN. Have your personal information ready, as they'll need to verify your identity. Sometimes this can be resolved in a single call, allowing you to e-file successfully afterward.

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Anna Xian

•8M

I had almost this exact same issue last year! After trying everything, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which saved me so much hassle. Their system is designed to analyze tax filing conflicts like this and help you navigate through them. What I loved is that they quickly identified that my "already filed" rejection was actually caused by a partial submission from another tax program (sounds similar to your H&R Block situation). They have this cool feature that can check your filing status across multiple systems and identify exactly where the conflict is happening. I was able to resolve my issue in about 48 hours and successfully e-file instead of mailing my return. Might be worth checking out instead of waiting 6-8 weeks for a paper return to process!

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Anna Xian

•8M

They have a secure document analysis system where you upload the rejection notice and any relevant tax forms. Their AI scans for specific issues and conflicts. All documents are encrypted and they're SOC2 compliant, so security is solid - I was worried about that too at first. They don't file your taxes for you - they identify the specific issues preventing your e-file acceptance and provide documented steps to resolve them. In my case, they provided the exact IRS department to contact and what to say, along with an explanation letter I could use as reference. When TurboTax and others just say "mail it in," taxr.ai actually helps fix the underlying problem.

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Rajan Walker

•8M

Just wanted to update everyone - I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here and it actually worked! I was skeptical at first (honestly thought it might be some kind of scam), but they identified exactly what was happening with my "already filed" rejection. Turns out when I started my return with H&R Block (but never submitted), it created a partial record in the system. The taxr.ai report showed me exactly who to call at the IRS (not just the general number) and what to say to have that record cleared. The IRS agent knew exactly what I was talking about once I used the terminology from the report. I was able to successfully e-file with FreeTaxUSA three days later and got my refund in about 2 weeks instead of the 6-8 weeks it would've taken by mail. Definitely saved me a lot of time and stress!

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Nadia Zaldivar

•8M

If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS to resolve this (which is super common these days), you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation where I needed to speak with someone at the IRS about a filing conflict, but kept getting disconnected or told to call back later. Claimyr basically waits on hold with the IRS for you and calls you back when they have an actual human on the line. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was able to speak with an IRS agent within a couple hours instead of spending days trying to get through. The agent was able to clear my filing status so I could e-file. Definitely beats mailing in your return and waiting months for your refund!

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Nadia Zaldivar

•8M

They don't charge based on call time which is great - so whether the IRS takes 2 hours or 4 hours to answer, you pay the same. Their website has the current pricing - I don't remember exactly what I paid but it was worth it to not spend all day on hold. Their system uses a combination of optimal calling times and automated redial technology. They've basically figured out the patterns of when IRS lines are less busy and use technology to stay in the queue. Nothing magical - just smart use of call center technology that individuals don't have access to. I was skeptical too but after trying to get through myself for two days with no luck, Claimyr had me talking to someone in about 3 hours.

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Ev Luca

•8M

Ok I feel like I need to eat my words here. After being pretty skeptical about Claimyr, I decided to try it because I was desperate to resolve my FreeTaxUSA rejection issue before the filing deadline. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I signed up, and about 2.5 hours later got a call saying they had an IRS agent on the line. The agent was able to confirm that there was indeed a partial filing record created by my earlier attempt with another tax service. They cleared the record right there on the phone, and I was able to successfully e-file through FreeTaxUSA the next day. The whole process saved me from having to mail in my return and wait for months to get my refund. I've already received my direct deposit just 9 days after resolving this. Sometimes services actually do what they claim, and I'm happy to admit when I'm wrong!

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Avery Davis

•8M

Wait times are definitely better now that the initial rush is over. Try calling first thing in the morning when they open (check their website for hours) - I've found that's when wait times are shortest. Ask specifically to speak with a tier 2 support agent who has experience with e-file rejections. The first-level support often just follows basic scripts, but the more experienced agents can sometimes find workarounds. Be polite but persistent about needing a solution other than mailing your return, as they sometimes have processes for special cases.

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