Received reject code IND-452 when trying to file taxes for my side hustle after W-2 job
I'm getting really frustrated with this tax situation. I already filed my taxes for my main job (have a W-2) through TurboTax and everything went through fine. Then I tried to go back and file for my side hustle business income separately, and got hit with this reject code IND-452. Now I'm completely stuck and have no idea what to do next. Has anyone dealt with this specific rejection code before? Do I seriously need to call the IRS and wait on hold for 3 hours, or is there a simpler solution I'm missing? This is only my second year with this side business and the first year I filed everything together, so I'm not sure where I went wrong.
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Lucas Turner
The reject code IND-452 typically means you're trying to file a second return for the same tax year. The IRS only allows one tax return per person per tax year. What you need to do is file an amended return (Form 1040-X) that includes both your W-2 income AND your side business income together. When you have multiple income sources, you don't file separate returns for each - everything needs to go on one return. For your side business income, you'd include Schedule C with your 1040 to report the business income and expenses. Since you already filed your original return with just the W-2, you'll need to amend it to add the side business income. Most tax software including TurboTax has an option to prepare an amended return.
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Kai Rivera
•So would they have to wait until the first return is fully processed before filing the amendment? Or can they start the amendment process right away? Also, will there be any penalties for having to file an amendment in this situation?
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Lucas Turner
•You should wait until your original return is processed before filing the amendment. This usually takes 2-3 weeks if you e-filed, longer if you filed by paper. The IRS needs a record of your original return in their system before they can process an amendment to it. As for penalties, you generally won't face penalties for filing an amendment as long as you do it promptly. However, if adding your side business income results in additional tax owed, you may have interest charges on the unpaid amount from the original due date until you pay it. There could also be underpayment penalties if you should have been making quarterly estimated tax payments for your side business.
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Anna Stewart
I ran into this exact problem last year! After hours of frustration, I discovered this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much time figuring out what went wrong. I uploaded my rejection notice, and it immediately explained that I needed to file an amended return instead of a separate one. Their system walked me through exactly what forms I needed and even helped identify some deductions for my side business I would have missed. I was super confused about the whole amendment process but their AI explained everything in simple terms.
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Layla Sanders
•Does it actually work with rejection codes? I've got a different code (something with a 506 in it I think) and I'm completely lost. Do they charge a lot for this service?
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Morgan Washington
•I'm a bit skeptical. How does it compare to just calling the IRS directly? I always worry these third-party services are just scraping info from IRS publications that I could find myself with enough digging.
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Anna Stewart
•Yes, it works with pretty much all rejection codes! It has a database of all the common (and uncommon) IRS error codes and provides plain-English explanations along with the specific steps needed to fix them. I'm not sure about the exact code you have, but it should be able to help with any official IRS rejection. As for comparing it to calling the IRS, the big difference is time. When I tried calling, I was on hold for over an hour before giving up. With taxr.ai, I had my answer in about 2 minutes. It doesn't just scrape basic info - it actually interprets your specific situation and gives personalized guidance. The step-by-step breakdown of what to do next was what really helped me.
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Layla Sanders
Just wanted to update - I ended up trying taxr.ai after dealing with my rejection code and wow, it was actually super helpful! Uploaded my rejection notice and it immediately told me I needed to file an amended return and exactly how to do it. It even showed me which forms I'd need to include with my amendment and pointed out a home office deduction I totally missed for my side business. Saved me from what would have been a complete headache trying to figure this out on my own or waiting forever on the IRS phone line. Definitely keeping this in my toolkit for future tax issues!
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Kaylee Cook
If you're still struggling with this and need to talk to someone at the IRS (which might be necessary depending on your situation), I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat last year with a different reject code and needed to speak with an actual IRS agent. I was dreading the hours-long wait, but Claimyr got me connected in under 20 minutes. They have this callback system that basically waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is available. You can see how it works in this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It's especially useful for complicated situations where you really need to talk to a human at the IRS to sort things out.
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Oliver Alexander
•How exactly does this work? Do they just call the IRS for you? I'm confused how they can get through faster than I can when I call directly.
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Morgan Washington
•Yeah right. I find it hard to believe any service could actually get through the IRS phone system that quickly. I've literally waited 2+ hours multiple times. If this actually works, I'd be shocked.
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Kaylee Cook
•They don't call the IRS for you - they use a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold so you don't have to. They basically call and wait in the queue, then when they're about to reach a representative, they call you and connect you directly with the IRS agent. You're still talking to the IRS yourself, but you don't have to sit through the hold music for hours. They use some specialized technology that keeps the connection open and monitors when a real person answers. It's not that they have a "special line" or anything - they're just taking the waiting part off your hands. Think of it like having someone stand in line for you, then texting you when it's your turn.
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Morgan Washington
I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After continuing to get nowhere with resolving my tax issue, I reluctantly tried the service last week. I was absolutely convinced it was going to be a waste of time, but I was desperate. To my complete surprise, I got a call back in about 25 minutes and was connected directly to an IRS agent who helped resolve my rejection issue. I would have spent half my day on hold otherwise. The agent confirmed I needed to file an amended return and gave me some specific guidance on my situation. If you're dealing with a reject code and need actual human help from the IRS, it's definitely worth considering.
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Lara Woods
Make sure when you file the amended return that you include ALL the income from your original return plus the new side business income. I made the mistake last year of only reporting the "new" income on my amendment and it caused all kinds of headaches. The amendment needs to be a complete replacement of your original return. Also, if you owe additional tax, pay it as soon as possible to minimize any interest charges.
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Eleanor Foster
•Do I need to include all the same documents that I submitted with my original return? Like my W-2 and everything? Or just the new stuff related to my side business?
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Lara Woods
•You don't need to resubmit all your original documents like W-2s with an amended return. Form 1040-X only requires that you submit new or corrected forms that are changing with the amendment. So you would include Schedule C for your business and any other new schedules needed for the business income, but not duplicate copies of documents you already submitted. However, on the amended return itself, you'll need to report ALL income figures (both the previously reported W-2 income and the new business income). The form has columns to show what was originally reported, what's changing, and the corrected amounts. This is why I emphasized including all income - many people mistakenly only put the new income in the "change" column without carrying over their original income into the final figures.
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Adrian Hughes
Anyone know if TurboTax can handle amending a return that was already filed through them? Or do I need to go to a tax professional if I'm in this situation?
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Molly Chambers
•TurboTax definitely can handle amended returns, even ones you already filed through them. In fact, it's usually easier because they already have all your original return info in the system. Just log back into your account, look for the option to "Amend a return" and follow the prompts. It'll pull in all your existing info and then guide you through adding the business income. You'll need to pay again for the amendment though, and there may be an additional fee for the business/self-employment forms.
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MoonlightSonata
I went through this exact same situation last year! The IND-452 rejection code is definitely because you're trying to file a second return for the same tax year. What worked for me was filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) that combined everything - my W-2 income plus my side business income on Schedule C. One thing I learned the hard way is to wait until your original return is fully processed before filing the amendment. I tried to rush it and had to resubmit because the IRS system couldn't find my original return yet. Also, if your side business income pushes you into owing more taxes, pay it ASAP to avoid interest charges piling up from the original due date. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be - TurboTax walked me through the amendment step by step and even caught some business deductions I had missed. Just remember that next year you'll want to file everything together from the start to avoid this headache!
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