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Carmen Lopez

Tax Preparer Put Wrong DOB - IRS Still Processing My Return - What Happens Now?

So I just realized my tax preparer put my date of birth wrong on my return, but the IRS already accepted it and shows it's processing. I'm freaking out a bit. Last year I did my own taxes and it was a mess with all my gig work (Uber, DoorDash, some freelance), so I went to a preparer this time. Just checked my copy yesterday and noticed they put 1990 instead of 1989 for my birth year. Everything else looks correct - SSN, income, etc. Has anyone dealt with this? Will they just reject it later? My refund's supposed to help cover some expenses coming up, so I need to know if I should expect delays.

This happened to me back on April 12th, 2023. The IRS has matching systems that caught my incorrect DOB, but they still processed my return! I was shocked when I realized how complex their verification system is. They cross-reference your SSN with their database records from March 15th onwards. As long as your SSN is correct (which is the PRIMARY identifier), a wrong DOB is usually flagged but doesn't automatically stop processing. They'll likely correct it internally since they already have your correct information on file from previous years.

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Andre Dupont

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Thanks for explaining this so clearly! It's good to know they have these cross-reference systems in place. I've seen similar situations with clients where minor discrepancies like a transposed number in an address didn't affect the overall processing.

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To add some technical context here: The IRS utilizes the Taxpayer Database Validation System (TDVS) which performs multi-point verification. When discrepancies in non-critical fields like DOB are detected, the system flags them for Internal Verification Review (IVR) but continues primary processing. The critical identifiers are SSN, name, and filing status - those must match exactly or trigger a processing halt.

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Jamal Wilson

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Back in 2022, my wife's middle initial was wrong on our return. I was panicking just like you are now. But the return processed normally, refund came on time, and we never heard anything about it. The IRS has seen it all before - they deal with millions of returns with minor errors every year.

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Mei Lin

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Think of your tax return like a jigsaw puzzle - the IRS cares most about the big pieces (SSN, income, deductions) fitting correctly. A wrong birthdate is like having one tiny piece upside down - noticeable but not breaking the whole picture. I was so relieved when I found https://taxr.ai that could analyze my transcript and explain all the codes. My preparer had misspelled my name (used "Kristin" instead of "Kristen") and I was panicking about delays, but taxr.ai showed me exactly where my return was in processing and explained that the name discrepancy had been auto-corrected without delaying anything.

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I'm always wary of these third-party services... How do you know they're interpreting the codes correctly? I feel nervous about anything that's not directly from the IRS itself. Did you verify what they told you was accurate?

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GalacticGuru

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Per IRS Publication 1345 Section 5.4, non-critical errors like incorrect DOB rarely affect processing timeframes. I had a similar experience - my preparer somehow listed me as 2 years younger. The return processed normally because the IRS maintains a master database that automatically reconciles minor discrepancies without requiring taxpayer intervention.

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Amara Nnamani

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Thanks for sharing this resource! Is it easy to use for someone who doesn't understand all the tax jargon? I'm in a similar situation and just want to know if my refund is actually coming.

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I had the exact same problem this year. My preparer put 1995 instead of 1985. I was so worried! But my return was processed normally and I got my refund last week. The IRS never even mentioned the mistake. Just make sure to use your correct DOB next year.

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If you're really concerned, you can try reaching the IRS directly, but expect to wait exactly 73 minutes on average according to recent data. I used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) last month when I had a similar issue with incorrect information, and they got me connected to an agent in under 20 minutes. The agent confirmed that wrong DOB issues are usually corrected internally and rarely cause delays beyond the standard 21-day processing time. Worth the fee to get that peace of mind instead of stressing for weeks.

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Dylan Cooper

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Here's what happens. IRS has your correct info already. They'll match your SSN. They'll process your return. No delay likely. DOB errors are common. They fix internally. No amended return needed. Save your money. Just check WMR for updates. Keep your refund timeline intact. Budget as planned.

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Sofia Morales

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But what if the wrong DOB somehow triggers a verification issue? Couldn't that potentially flag the return for additional review, especially if there are other minor discrepancies we're not aware of?

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StarSailor

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OMG I'm the queen of tax prep mistakes lol. Last yr my preparer put wrong DOB AND wrong address (apt # missing) AND misspelled my middle name. Still got my refund in 18 days! IRS systems are smarter than we think. They match ur SSN to their master file and can see ur correct info from prev yrs. Def don't waste $ on amending for just a DOB error. They'll fix it on their end. Just double check everything next yr before signing!

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Andre Dupont

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This is really reassuring to hear! Sometimes we overthink these small errors when the system is actually designed to handle them.

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Dmitry Ivanov

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According to the IRS.gov FAQ section on common filing errors, incorrect birth dates are among the top 5 most common errors they encounter. They specifically state that these errors alone don't typically delay processing. If you check the Where's My Refund tool and it shows your return is being processed, you're likely fine. Just make sure to review your return carefully next year before your preparer submits it.

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NeonNova

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I went through this exact situation two years ago! My preparer somehow entered 1992 instead of 1993 for my birth year. I was stressed for weeks thinking it would delay my refund, but it processed completely normally. The IRS has sophisticated matching systems that cross-reference your SSN with their existing records - that's your primary identifier. Since you mentioned everything else is correct (SSN, income, etc.), you should be fine. The DOB error will likely be flagged internally but won't stop processing. I'd recommend just monitoring your refund status through Where's My Refund and avoid spending money on unnecessary services or amended returns unless the IRS specifically requests it. Save your stress and your money - this is way more common than you think!

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Ava Hernandez

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Thank you for sharing your experience! It's so helpful to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing. I was really starting to panic about this, but hearing that your return processed normally even with the wrong birth year gives me a lot of peace of mind. I'll definitely just keep checking Where's My Refund and avoid any unnecessary expenses. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain the whole process - it makes so much sense that the SSN is the primary identifier they use for matching.

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