Tax Preparer Made Errors on Kids' Names/Birthdays - Will This Delay My Refund?

These minor errors shouldn't significantly delay your refund since your return was already accepted. According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/refund-inquiries/refund-inquiries-0), acceptance means the basic information (SSN, filing status, etc.) passed initial verification. The IRS system primarily matches Social Security Numbers for dependents rather than relying solely on names or exact birthdates. If the SSNs are correct, you're likely in good shape. However, for future reference, you should verify all information before submission, as correcting these errors later requires filing Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation).

It's possible, though not certain, that these errors could cause some delay in processing. In my experience, the IRS systems might, in some cases, flag returns with mismatched information for manual review. This could potentially add anywhere from a few days to potentially several weeks to your processing time, especially during the busy tax season we're currently in. I'd suggest keeping a close eye on your "Where's My Refund" status, as it might, under certain circumstances, provide some indication if there's a hold-up.

I had almost the exact same situation last year! My preparer transposed two numbers in my daughter's birthday and I was freaking out. After trying to call the IRS for three days straight and getting nowhere, I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent told me the error wasn't affecting my refund processing at all since the SSN was correct. Saved me so much anxiety! They even confirmed my direct deposit date while I was on the call.

Compared to other issues I've seen, these are pretty minor errors. My cousin had her entire last name misspelled last year (think "Smith" vs "Smyth") and still got her refund within the normal timeframe. The IRS systems are primarily looking at the Social Security Numbers to verify identity, not the spelling of names or exact birthdates. This is way less concerning than if you had income that wasn't reported or deductions that might trigger an audit.

According to IRS Publication 1345 (Rev. 1-2023), Section 5.9, regarding dependent verification: "The primary identifier for dependents is the valid SSN, ITIN, or ATIN. Secondary verification may include name and date of birth matching." Since your return was already accepted, this indicates that the primary verification passed successfully. However, you should monitor your account transcript for any potential notices. If a correction is needed later, you'll need to file Form 8379 after receiving your refund to address the discrepancies.

You need to act quickly! Here's what to do right now: 1. Log into your IRS online account immediately to check your tax transcript 2. Look for any pending notices or holds on your account 3. If you see code 570, that means there's a hold on your refund 4. If everything looks normal, you're probably fine 5. Download the IRS2Go app to check your refund status daily Don't wait until the last minute if you do see issues - the closer we get to April 15th, the harder it will be to resolve anything!