Most Common IRS Federal Reject Codes

These are the most commonly received reject codes with instructions for correcting.

Reject Code 0043 - Head of Household, No Dependents

The code 0043 states that you may not use the filing status "Head of Household" if you have no qualifying person(s)/dependent(s).  To resolve, you should either add a qualifying person/dependent that allows you to file "Head of Household" or change your Filing Status to "Single". 

To change your Filing Status:
From the General Info of your return select Filing Status. 

To add a qualifying person/dependent:
From the General Info of your return select Dependents and add a dependent.

Once you have made the correction you can resubmit your return at no additional charge

Reject Code 0370 - Child Tax Credit

This reject code indicates that the child for which you are claiming the child tax credit is ineligible.
One reason for this could be age, the child must be under the age of 17 (age 16) as of 12/31 of the filing year.

You may still claim this child as a dependent and even for earned income credit, even if he/she does not qualify for the child tax credit.

Another reason that you may receive this reject code is that the Date of Birth for the dependent has been entered incorrectly or the IRS does not have the correct Date of Birth on file.  Please verify the Date of Birth that you entered and contact your local Social Security office if the IRS does not have the correct Date of Birth.  The IRS uses the Social Security information to verify SSN`s with corresponding names and Date of Birth.

If you received this reject code in addition to the reject codes 501 and 504, simply correcting those issues and Code 370 will automatically be corrected.

Reject Code 0500 - Primary SSN and Name do not match

This reject code indicates that the primary Social Security Number and the first 4 letters of the primary Taxpayer's last name do not match IRS records.  The IRS uses the data in the Social Security Administration files to verify this information. 

To correct this reject code:

Verify that the correct primary Social Security Number and last name were entered within your account.

All information appears to be correct: 

If it appears that both the name and SSN are entered correctly, you will need to check with your local Social Security Administration office and make sure their records have the correct information on file.  It does happen that they have incorrect information on their records, and this could be the cause of your return being rejected.  You can contact them by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

Reject Code 0501 - Name, SSN, or Year of Birth for EIC do not match Official IRS Description: 

Qualifying SSN (SEQ 015, 085) of Schedule EIC and the corresponding Year of Birth (SEQ 020. 090) must match data received from the Social Security Administration. Qualifying SSN (SEQ 015, 085) of Schedule EIC and the corresponding Qualifying Child Name Control (SEQ 007, 077) must match data from the IRS Master File.

This reject code indicates that the information for a qualifying person/dependent entered in the

Dependents/Qualifying Persons

section does not match IRS records.  The error could be in either the Name, Social Security Number or the Year of Birth. 

If the IRS has incorrect information on file, you may need to file a paper return and mail it directly to the IRS.

Reject Code 0502 - W-2 Employer ID Error

This Reject Code indicates that the EIN (Employer Identification Number) entered on a W-2 or a 1099 is not correct.  The IRS attempts to match the EIN to the first four letters of the company name.  Please check the EIN and company name that were entered into your account against the original W-2 or 1099 document, make the necessary change, and resubmit at no additional charge.  If it appears that the EIN and company name are entered into your account exactly as they appear on your W-2 or 1099, contact your employer to verify that the EIN was printed correctly when issued to you.

Locating the error:

If you have multiple W-2s or 1099s, you can easily locate the entry that the IRS is indicating is incorrect.

Reject Code 0503 - Spouse's SSN and Name do not match

This reject code indicates that the Spouse's Social Security Number and the first 4 letters of the Spouse's last name do not match IRS records.  The IRS uses the data in the Social Security Administration files to verify information. 

To correct this reject code: 

Verify that the correct Social Security Number and last name were entered for the Spouse on your account.

All information appears to be correct: 

If it appears that the name, date of birth, and SSN are all entered correctly, you will need to check with your local Social Security Administration office and make sure their records have the correct information on file.  It does happen that they have incorrect information on their records, and this could be the cause of your return being rejected.  You can contact them by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

Reject Code 0504 - Dependent Name and SSN do not match

Official IRS Description:  Dependent's SSN (SEQ 175, 185, 195, 205, 215) of Form 1040/1040A and corresponding Dependent Name Control (SEQ 172, 182, 192, 202, 212) must match data from the IRS Master File.

This reject code indicates that a dependent's Social Security Number (SSN) and the first four letters of the dependent's last name do not match the IRS files.

Reject Code 0507 - Dependent Already Claimed on Another Return

Official IRS Description: 

Dependent`s SSN (SEQ 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225) of Form 1040/1040A was previously used for the same purpose.

This reject code indicates that one of your Dependents has already been claimed on another return.

Reject Code 0510

This error generally occurs when a dependent files his/her return and claims a personal exemption after the parent(s)/guardian(s) have already claimed the dependent on their return. 

The reverse situation can also cause this error code.  If a dependent files their return first and claims a personal exemption, then the parent(s) file their return claiming the dependent, the parent return would receive the 0510 reject code instead of the dependent's return.  To allow the parent/guardian to claim the dependent, the dependent would then need to file a 1040X (Amended Return) on paper to remove the personal exemption.  A 1040X (Amended Return) cannot be filed electronically.  It must be filed through the mail.   

Once the 1040X for the dependent has been filed, the parent/guardian would be able to claim that person as a dependent and file their return. However, to do so the parent(s) would need to paper-file their return through the mail rather than e-filing. The dependent 1040X correction would not be updated in the IRS electronic processing system, so any e-filed returns with that dependent listed would continue to reject.

Reject Code 0522 or 0523 - Date Of Birth Error

These reject codes indicate that the Date of Birth of the primary taxpayer (0522) or spouse (0523) does not match the respective Social Security Number as listed on the IRS master records. 

To correct reject code 0522 or 0523: 

Verify that the correct Social Security Number and date of birth were entered within your account. 

All information appears to be correct: 

You will need to check with your local Social Security Administration office and make sure their records have the correct information on file.  It does happen that they have incorrect information on their records, and this could be the cause of your return being rejected.  You can contact them by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

If the Social Security Administration has the wrong Date of Birth on file, you will need to file a paper return listing the correct Date of Birth and then get the date corrected before next year's filing.

Reject Code 0679 or 0680 - PIN Not Accepted

These reject codes indicate that the Date of Birth of the primary taxpayer (0522) or spouse (0523) does not match the respective Social Security Number as listed on the IRS master records. 

To correct reject code 0522 or 0523: 

The reject codes 0679 (Taxpayer) and 0680 (Spouse) indicate a problem with the entry of the prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for the PIN.

Married Filing Jointly: 

If your filing status this year is "married filing jointly", you generally should put the same amount for both spouses' AGIs as long as you filed jointly last year.  If you filed separately last year (or were not married last year), you would enter the different AGIs from each individual's prior year return.  The AGIs entered must match the figures as they would be listed on the IRS prior year records for each SSN for your return to be accepted.

Negative Prior Year AGI: 

If your AGI from a prior year return was negative, you cannot use the self-select PIN option to sign your return.  You must change your signature option to mailing in Form 8453-OL (see below).

You may contact IRS at: 1-800-829-1040 to obtain the prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) figures.

Reject Code 1034 - "In Care Of" Missing

This reject code 1034 indicates that the "IN CARE OF" line is not complete on a return for a deceased taxpayer.

To make the correction:
Go to on Form 1310 and Enter the “Name of Person Claiming Refund”

Once this has been entered you may resubmit the return at no additional charge.

Reject Codes 0500 & 0522 together

If you received both reject codes together, this generally means that the primary Social Security Number was entered incorrectly.

All information appears to be correct:

If it appears that the name, date of birth, and SSN are all entered correctly, you will need to check with your local Social Security Administration office and make sure their records have the correct information on file.  It does happen that they have incorrect information on their records, and this could be the cause of your return being rejected.  You can contact them by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

Reject Codes 0503 & 0523 together

If you received both reject codes together, this generally means that the Spouse's Social Security Number was entered incorrectly on the return.

All information appears to be correct:

If it appears that the name, date of birth, and SSN are all entered correctly, you will need to check with your local Social Security Administration office and make sure their records have the correct information on file.  It does happen that they have incorrect information on their records, and this could be the cause of your return being rejected.  You can contact them by phone at 1-800-772-1213.