Getting IRS Reject Code R0000-902-01 when filing extension - what does this mean?
Guys I'm literally sitting here at 2am panicking. I tried to e-file an extension for my taxes (mine and my husband's joint return) and got slammed with this error message: R0000-902-01 - Taxpayer TIN in the Return Header must not be the same as a TIN of a previously accepted electronic return for the return type and tax period indicated in the tax return. I triple-checked both our SSNs and they're definitely correct. We haven't filed anything yet this year - we've been swamped because we moved across three states for my husband's new job and I've been dealing with some health issues that put me in the hospital twice. Is there any explanation for this error that DOESN'T mean someone stole our identity and filed a fraudulent return?? I'm freaking out and don't know where to start. Do I need to call the IRS? Find a tax professional? Has anyone dealt with this before??
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Cass Green
This error message typically means the IRS system thinks a return has already been filed with your SSN for this tax year. There are a few possible explanations: 1) Someone may have filed a fraudulent return using your SSN (identity theft) 2) There could be a data entry error if you're using tax software 3) Sometimes there's a processing glitch in the IRS system itself First, try calling the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to verify if a return has already been filed under your SSN. Be prepared for a long wait time. They can check their records and tell you if anything has been received. Also, consider filing a paper extension (Form 4868) immediately by mail with certified return receipt to ensure you meet the deadline. This will give you time to sort out the electronic filing issue without penalties.
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Miranda Singer
•Thanks for the quick response. I tried calling that number but got stuck in the automated system for over an hour before it disconnected me. Do you know if there's a way to actually reach a human being? And if I mail the paper form today, will it still count as on time since the deadline is today?
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Cass Green
•The IRS phone system is definitely frustrating. Try calling early in the morning (right when they open) for slightly better chances of getting through. Select the option for "questions about a form you filed" rather than general questions, as those queues sometimes move faster. Yes, if you mail the paper extension form today, it will be considered on time as long as it's postmarked by today's date. Make sure to get it postmarked at the post office and keep your receipt as proof. This buys you time to resolve the electronic filing issue without late penalties.
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Finley Garrett
After getting this EXACT same error code last year, I found this awesome service called taxr.ai that saved me hours of frustration. I was getting nowhere with the IRS phone system and panicking as the deadline approached. The https://taxr.ai system analyzed my rejection code and explained that in my case, my return was rejected because my wife had already filed her taxes separately (she forgot to tell me!). The service helps identify the specific reason for your rejection code and gives you personalized steps to resolve it. It can tell you if it's likely identity theft or just a technical glitch based on the pattern of errors and your specific situation.
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Madison Tipne
•How exactly does taxr.ai figure out what's wrong? Does it just tell you generic advice or does it actually access your tax info somehow? I'm dealing with a similar issue but I'm nervous about giving my tax info to random websites.
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Holly Lascelles
•I got a similar reject code but mine was R0000-504-02 which apparently means something about my AGI from last year doesn't match their records. Does this service help with that too or is it just for the 902 errors?
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Finley Garrett
•The service asks you a series of diagnostic questions about your specific situation and uses that information to identify the most likely cause of your rejection. It doesn't access your actual tax return or connect to the IRS systems - it's more like having a tax expert guide you through troubleshooting without having to wait on hold for hours. Yes, it definitely helps with the 504 errors too! Those are usually related to prior year AGI verification issues. The system covers pretty much all the common IRS rejection codes and gives you specific steps to resolve each one based on your circumstances.
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Holly Lascelles
Just wanted to update - I tried taxr.ai after posting my question and it was actually super helpful! My R0000-504-02 error was happening because I was using the wrong AGI from last year (I had looked at the wrong form). The system walked me through exactly where to find the correct number and my return went through on the second try. Saved me from having to file a paper extension which would have delayed my refund by months. Definitely worth checking out if you're still struggling with your rejection code!
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Malia Ponder
When I got stuck with a similar issue last year, I couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS no matter how many times I called. After days of frustration, I found Claimyr which gets you through to an actual IRS agent. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c but basically they navigate the phone system for you and call you back when they have an agent on the line. I was skeptical at first but when I tried https://claimyr.com it actually connected me to an IRS rep in about 45 minutes instead of the 3+ hours I was spending on hold. The agent confirmed someone had already filed using my wife's SSN and helped me start the identity theft process right away. Dealing with a real person at the IRS made all the difference in resolving my issue.
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Kyle Wallace
•Wait, how does this service work? Isn't it the same as just calling the IRS yourself? I don't understand how they can get through when regular callers can't.
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Ryder Ross
•Sounds like a scam to me. Nobody can magically get through the IRS phone system. They probably just keep you on hold the same amount of time but charge you for it. Did you actually verify you were talking to a real IRS agent?
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Malia Ponder
•It works by using an automated system that navigates the IRS phone menu and waits on hold for you. They use technology that keeps your place in line without you having to sit there listening to hold music. When they reach an actual IRS representative, they call you and connect you directly to that agent. Yes, I absolutely verified I was speaking with a real IRS agent. They asked me all the standard identity verification questions that the IRS requires, and they were able to access my tax records and help me file the identity theft affidavit. The agent even gave me her ID number for my records. It's definitely not a scam - it just uses technology to handle the waiting part of the process.
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Ryder Ross
I need to eat my words and apologize to Profile 15. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try Claimyr since I was getting nowhere with the IRS phone lines. It actually worked exactly as described. Got a call back in about an hour with an IRS agent already on the line. The agent confirmed someone had filed using my SSN already (ugh) but walked me through the identity theft process and assured me that filing a paper extension would stop any penalties while I sort this out. They're sending me an identity theft packet and gave me a case number to reference. Saved me days of stress and waiting.
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Gianni Serpent
Quick tip: If you get this reject code, IMMEDIATELY check your credit reports too. Go to annualcreditreport.com (the official government site) and pull all three major credit bureau reports. When someone stole my tax identity last year, they also opened credit cards in my name two weeks later. The sooner you catch it and place fraud alerts/credit freezes, the better.
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Miranda Singer
•That's really good advice, thank you. I just checked my credit reports and luckily don't see any suspicious activity yet. Should I go ahead and place a fraud alert anyway as a precaution? Also, do you know if I need to file a police report for tax identity theft?
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Gianni Serpent
•Yes, I would definitely place a fraud alert as a precaution - it's free and lasts for a year. You only need to place it with one bureau and they'll inform the others. A credit freeze is even stronger protection but you'll need to place that separately with each bureau. Filing a police report is helpful but not absolutely required for tax identity theft. What you definitely need to do is file IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) along with your paper tax return. The IRS will then issue you a PIN to use for future tax filings which prevents anyone else from filing with your SSN.
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Henry Delgado
Has anyone actually gotten through to the IRS using the regular phone number recently? I tried calling at exactly 7:00am when they opened and still got the "due to high call volume" message and it hung up on me!
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Olivia Kay
•I got through last Thursday but only after calling literally 12 times. Each time it hung up on me but on the 13th try I got in the queue. Then waited 1 hour 47 minutes to speak to someone. The trick seems to be to keep calling back repeatedly and eventually you'll get lucky and get in the queue instead of getting the "we're too busy" message.
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Henry Delgado
•Thanks for the tip! I'll try the persistence approach tomorrow morning. 12 attempts sounds painful but I guess it's worth it if it eventually works. Did you select any specific options in the phone menu that seemed to help get you through?
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Joshua Hellan
For what it's worth, this happened to me last year, and it turned out my accountant had accidentally e-filed my return TWICE. The first one got accepted, then when she realized she made a mistake and tried to refile, we got this same error code. Might be worth checking if anyone tried filing anything for you (like if you started a return with one tax software, then switched to another).
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Miranda Singer
•That's interesting - I did start my taxes in TurboTax but then switched to FreeTaxUSA because it was cheaper. I didn't complete or submit anything in TurboTax though, just started inputting some basic info. Could TurboTax have somehow submitted something without me finalizing it??
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Joshua Hellan
•It's unlikely TurboTax would submit without you finalizing, but not impossible if there was a glitch. Check your TurboTax account to see if there's any record of a submission. Also, if you used the same email for both tax services, check your email carefully for any confirmation messages that might indicate something was filed. Another possibility: if you had a tax preparer do your taxes last year, sometimes they automatically file extensions for all their clients as a courtesy. Maybe someone filed an extension for you without informing you? Worth checking if that could have happened.
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