How Can I Correct a Wrong Social Security Number on My Tax Return?

According to the Internal Revenue Service, one of the most common errors on tax returns is writing down the wrong Social Security number or forgetting to include the number on the return. Mistakenly writing down the wrong Social Security number on your tax return can prevent the IRS from giving you credit for the return you filed, tax breaks for the dependents you claimed and the payments you submitted. To fix the problem, you need to file an amended tax return.

To amend your tax return, use Form 1040X, available on the IRS website. You can correct your Social Security number at the top of the form next to your name or the number for a dependent on line 29. Explain why you're filing the amended return in Part III of Form 1040X. Your explanation doesn't have to be complicated; just saying "Filing to correct the Social Security number for my dependent child Susan" is sufficient.

You must fill out a separate Form 1040X for each tax year you need to correct. On the bright side, since you're only correcting information, you don't need to fill out all the line items. Just enter your correct information at the start of the form and explain what you're changing in Part III.