Strange message/error popping up on TaxSlayer software - what does it mean?

Hey everyone, I'm in the middle of filing my taxes through TaxSlayer and keep getting this weird error message popping up. I've been using the software for the past 3 years but never encountered this before. The message says something about "verification required for dependent information" but I don't have any dependents! It seems to be preventing me from moving forward to the next section where I need to enter my business expenses. I've tried logging out and back in, clearing my browser cache, and even switching from Chrome to Firefox, but the message keeps showing up. Has anyone else had this issue with TaxSlayer this year? I'm not sure if it's just a glitch or if there's something wrong with my information. Tax deadline is coming up soon and I'm really getting stressed about this!

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21 comments

Eve Freeman

•8M

This sounds like TaxSlayer's system is flagging something in your return that needs verification. Even though you don't have dependents, the system might be incorrectly assuming you do based on something you entered. First, try going back through your personal information section and double-check that you didn't accidentally select something that would indicate you have dependents. Look specifically at your filing status - if you selected "Head of Household" without having qualifying dependents, that could trigger this error. Another possibility is that someone else might have claimed you as a dependent on their return, and the IRS database is flagging this inconsistency. Did you check the box saying "Someone can claim you as a dependent" anywhere? If none of that applies, there could be a connection between a previous year's return and this year's that's causing confusion in their system.

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Eve Freeman

•8M

The error messages can vary depending on when in the process the verification flag gets triggered. If someone has already filed and claimed the person as a dependent, you'd typically get the "SSN already used" message. However, if the IRS database just has conflicting information from previous years or other sources, it might trigger a more general verification message. Another possibility is that there's a section in your return where you might have entered information that the system associates with dependents - like childcare expenses, education credits, or certain tax credits that are typically used by people with dependents. The software sometimes connects these entries automatically to dependent information, even if you didn't explicitly add a dependent.

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Caden Turner

•8M

I had a similar issue with TaxSlayer this year and found a solution! After hours of frustration, I stumbled across taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which has this awesome document analysis feature. I uploaded screenshots of the error messages I was getting, and it explained that TaxSlayer sometimes flags returns when there's a mismatch between current and previous year information. In my case, I had filed as "Head of Household" last year with a dependent, but this year I needed to file differently. The taxr.ai tool explained exactly what fields to check in TaxSlayer to resolve the conflict. Saved me hours of guesswork and probably an expensive call to TaxSlayer support!

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Caden Turner

•8M

It works with pretty much all major tax software - TaxSlayer, TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA, etc. I've used it to analyze documents from multiple sources and it seems to understand all the different formats and error codes. It's particularly good at decoding those cryptic error messages tax software loves to throw at you. The tool doesn't actually access your tax software account - you just upload screenshots or documents you're confused about. It uses some kind of AI to analyze what's in the image and explain it in plain English. All the processing happens on their secure platform, so your actual tax filing isn't exposed. Think of it like showing a screenshot to a tax pro rather than giving them access to your whole return.

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Harmony Love

•8M

So I decided to try taxr.ai after my skeptical comment yesterday, and wow - I'm actually impressed! I had a completely different TaxSlayer error about my 1099-NEC that was driving me crazy. Uploaded a screenshot to taxr.ai and it immediately identified that I had entered the same income in two different sections, which was causing TaxSlayer to think I had duplicate income sources. The explanation was super clear and even showed me exactly which screens in TaxSlayer to navigate to fix the issue. Took me like 2 minutes to fix once I knew what was happening. Thanks for suggesting this - definitely keeping this tool in my bookmarks for next tax season too!

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Rudy Cenizo

•8M

With all these tax software errors people are mentioning, I want to share something that really helped me. I had been trying to contact the IRS for WEEKS about a similar issue (TaxSlayer kept giving me an error about my previous year's AGI not matching records). The IRS phone lines were constantly busy or would hang up due to "high call volume." I finally tried this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. They have this demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Essentially, they navigate the IRS phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you when an agent is ready to talk. The IRS agent confirmed my correct AGI from last year, and I was able to fix the TaxSlayer error immediately. Saved me from having to file by mail, which would have delayed my refund by months!

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Rudy Cenizo

•8M

They don't jump the line - they use automated technology to wait on hold for you. Basically, their system dials the IRS, navigates through all those annoying prompts, and then sits on hold. When a human agent finally answers, their system calls your phone and connects you directly to that agent. It's like having someone else wait in a physical line for you, then texting you when it's your turn. The magic isn't in skipping the wait - the wait still happens! It's just that their system is waiting instead of you having to keep your phone tied up for hours. I was skeptical too, but I was desperate after my fifth attempt to call the IRS myself ended with an automated "due to high call volume" hangup. In my case, I got the call back in about 20 minutes, but they tell you it could be hours depending on IRS wait times.

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Daryl Bright

•8M

I have to publicly eat my words on this one. After making that skeptical comment about Claimyr yesterday, I decided to try it since I was at my wit's end with TaxSlayer errors and couldn't get through to the IRS. Not only did it work, but I got a call back with an actual IRS agent on the line within 45 minutes. The agent cleared up my confusion about why TaxSlayer was giving me the dependent verification error - turns out someone had incorrectly filed using my SSN as a dependent last year (likely a typo), which was causing the system to flag my return this year. The agent helped me understand exactly what to do next. Never would have figured this out without actually speaking to the IRS!

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Sienna Gomez

•8M

For what it's worth, I ran into a similar TaxSlayer error last week! In my case, it was because I had started entering information about an education credit (I'm taking online classes), and TaxSlayer automatically assumed I was claiming a dependent because of that. Try looking in the education credits section if you've entered anything there. There's a checkbox somewhere in there that might be causing the confusion. Also check if you accidentally entered any child tax credit information - sometimes just clicking into those sections can trigger verification requirements.

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Val Rossi

•8M

Thanks for this suggestion! I just checked and you were absolutely right - I had started entering some education expenses for classes I'm taking, and somehow that triggered the dependent verification notice. I unchecked a box that said something about "qualifying child" that I must have accidentally clicked, saved the changes, and the error message is finally gone! Do you know if I can still claim my education expenses though? I'm worried that if I remove all that information I'll miss out on potential credits.

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Sienna Gomez

•8M

You can definitely still claim your education expenses! You just need to make sure you're claiming them correctly as your own expenses, not as expenses for a dependent. When you're in the education credits section, there should be an option to indicate that the expenses are for yourself rather than a dependent. Look for something like "self" or "primary taxpayer" in the dropdown menus when it asks who the expenses are for. That way you'll get all the credits you're entitled to without triggering the dependent verification notices.

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Diez Ellis

•5M

I'm glad you got it sorted out! This is actually a pretty common issue with tax software - they're designed to be overly cautious and flag anything that might indicate missing information. The education credit section is notorious for this kind of confusion. Just to add some context for anyone else reading this thread: most tax software will let you claim education expenses for yourself through either the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) or the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC). The AOTC is generally better if you're in your first four years of college, while the LLC works for any post-secondary education including professional development courses. Make sure you have your Form 1098-T from your school if you're claiming tuition expenses, and keep receipts for any books or supplies you're claiming. The software should walk you through which credit gives you the bigger benefit once you enter all your information correctly.

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