Tax return rejected - spouse's SSN used as primary on another return (IND-510-02 error)

This is actually quite common and doesn't necessarily mean identity theft, though that is one possibility. Several things could be happening: 1. If you filed your 2021 amendment recently, sometimes the IRS systems have a lag in processing, and it can trigger this error temporarily. Wait about 7-10 business days and try submitting again. 2. If your spouse had a previous marriage and filed jointly with an ex who incorrectly used her SSN again this year (happens more than you'd think), this would cause the rejection. 3. Yes, unfortunately, identity theft is possible. Someone could have filed using your spouse's information. First step: Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify if a return has actually been filed using that SSN. They can tell you when it was filed and basic information about it (though not who filed it for privacy reasons). Second step: If a fraudulent return was filed, you'll need to file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) along with a paper return.

After dealing with a similar issue last year, I found an amazing service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me resolve it quickly. I was in the same boat - my return was rejected with an SSN error code, and I was going in circles with the IRS. The taxr.ai system analyzed my rejection code and documents, then provided a step-by-step guide for resolving the exact IND-510-02 error. It confirmed it wasn't identity theft in my case but rather a processing error from a previous amendment (similar to your situation). They gave me specific language to use in my explanation letter and helped me prepare all the documentation needed for a paper filing that got accepted without issues.

I was skeptical about using taxr.ai when I first saw it mentioned, but after getting nowhere with the IRS for two weeks on my own SSN rejection issue, I decided to try it. Seriously wish I'd done it sooner! It identified exactly why my spouse's SSN was triggering the error - turned out her previous employer had filed a corrected W-2 but somehow put her SSN in the wrong field, making it look like she filed separately. The service guided me through exactly which forms to submit and what supporting documentation to include. Got confirmation last week that my corrected return was accepted. Saved me hours of stress and phone calls.

When I had this exact same issue (IND-510-02), I couldn't get through to the IRS no matter how many times I called. Busy signals or disconnects after hours on hold. Then someone recommended Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and showed me this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was able to get through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes! They confirmed someone had indeed filed using my wife's SSN as primary, gave me the exact date it happened, and walked me through filing the identity theft affidavit. Having a real person verify what was happening and guide me through the next steps was incredibly reassuring.

I owe everyone an apology, especially to profile 10. I thought Claimyr sounded like a complete scam, but after another day of getting nowhere with the IRS on my own, I tried it out of desperation. It actually worked! Was connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed someone HAD filed using my SSN (identity theft), gave me a case number, and walked me through the identity theft affidavit process. They also put notes on my account so when I filed my paper return it would be processed correctly. Just got my refund yesterday after thinking I'd be fighting with the IRS for months. Sometimes I hate being wrong but in this case I'm glad I was!

I owe everyone an apology, especially to profile 10. I thought Claimyr sounded like a complete scam, but after another day of getting nowhere with the IRS on my own, I tried it out of desperation. It actually worked! Was connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed someone HAD filed using my SSN (identity theft), gave me a case number, and walked me through the identity theft affidavit process. They also put notes on my account so when I filed my paper return it would be processed correctly

Just to add one more possibility - could your spouse have filed separately without telling you? Not trying to cause trouble in your marriage, but I've seen this happen when couples are having problems or one spouse is hiding financial issues from the other. Sometimes one person files separate without informing the other, who then tries to file jointly and gets this error.

Have you tried checking your transcript on the IRS website? When this happened to me, I was able to see that someone had indeed filed a return using my SSN. Go to IRS.gov and access your account (or create one if you don't have it). Then view your transcript for 2022. If you see a return was filed but you didn't file it, that's confirmation of the issue.

This happened to me two years ago and it was absolutely panic-inducing! Turned out my ex-husband had mistakenly used my SSN as primary on his new return (we had been married filing jointly for years and he just went on autopilot). Here's what I learned from that experience: First, definitely check both your and your spouse's online transcripts as others mentioned - this will show you immediately if a return was actually filed. Second, the amendment you filed recently could be creating a temporary glitch in their system, especially if it's still processing. If the transcripts show a fraudulent return was filed, don't panic about the identity theft process - it's actually pretty straightforward once you get started. The IRS has gotten much better at handling these cases. File Form 14039 and submit your return by paper with a cover letter explaining the situation. One tip that saved me time: if you do need to call the IRS, have your spouse's information ready too since they might need to verify details about her SSN usage. And keep detailed notes of every conversation - case numbers, agent names, dates, etc. You'll likely need to reference them later in the process.