My brother and uncle did my father's tax return and claimed me as the dependent. Now what do I do?

Did you file your own tax return last year? If you did, the duplicate SSNs would be flagged and the one declaring you as a dependent would most likely be brought into question. If you qualified under the definition of a dependent and you did not file a separate return, then there may be no problem. It is more complicated now with healthcare tied into the federal taxes. I wondered how that was handled, since you most likely had to have insurance of some type.

Maybe if you will let us know what legal problems this caused someone will have some answers. So much depends on if you filed another return, especially if you received a subsidy for health insurance. If you don't legally qualify as a dependent, the tax return could come back on your brother and father.

I did some research and found out how they would be able to do it. If you made less than $3800 that year. I understand how upsetting this would be. It sounds like you had a very very hard time. I can appreciate how hard it was to care for your Dad and your struggle with what has happened. Especially without your knowledge. You know your situation better than anyone and because this is a family situation I think you will want to sort out what's real what's yours and not yours. Did you earn more than $3800 that year? Was it really only 3 months? If you were caring for your father then they should have been paying you through a family caregiver agreement. What is the family dynamic that would cause such boundary violations? This sound like a very complicated time for you, your father and your family. I also hear a family system that has boundary issues. I might suggest a cooling off period and working with a good counselor to sort through this. It sounds to me like there are old family patterns at work here. Instead of replaying the old dynamic do some personal growth and family systems work I am certain you will recognize old patterns of this type of boundary violations throughout your upbringing. It could be a at root in your depression. You can change the patterns and set new boundaries with your family and this sounds like an awesome opportunity for personal growth. Once you sort through the patterns then address the legality. You will come from a point of strength to sort through it first before reacting emotionally.

We really didn't get enough information to answer this question. And the OP appears to have left the building.

I would talk to an CPA. I don't this should be done if you have any income for the year. I don't think 3 months out of 12 constitutes him putting u done as a dependent. Taking care of ur father offsets any money put out on ur food etc. He needs to amend that tax form.

If someone else claimed you on their tax return you may not claim yourself on your own return. In order to be claimed legally on a person's return, you must have been supported by that person for more than three months (I do not know the length of time but it is in IRS guidance materials on this topic. I speculate it is more than half the year) AND they must have provided more than half your monetary support for the year. Even if your business suffered and you made little money did your father provide over half your monetary support for the year?

Instead of making a big deal out of this all really needed to do was mail your return in and add a note saying. "I was claimed as a dependent on my father return in error" and you would gotten all you money. It would then be up to the IRS to decide what to do which in 99.9% of the time is nothing. Why do people want to make a big deal out of everything now days. And I am guessing that since you live in his home for more then 6 month and didn't make enough money to make you ineligible to be claimed as a dependent the difference isn't all that great.

Most probably, you were claimed on your father's tax return was because it saved him more money then it would have saved you. You should explain to your brother how much money you lost by not being able to claim your self and the two of you should go to the uncle and ask for that amount in compensation.

Actually 2 or 3 times that amount might be better for the care you provided for your father. CPAs are very consious of avoiding wrong-doing. Be sure to tell him he wronged you by not paying for your services and stealing your deduction. Tell him next time he can pay for a full-time nurse which would really cost alot.

doormatno1 (genius screen name, btw): This is going to be a huge red flag to the IRS and to the comptroller of the filing state(s) since, most likely, you yourself filed an income tax return and claimed yourself as a dependent, of course. You cannot be doubly claimed! What about your state tax return? Which state did you file with? Which state did dad file with?

Relwood, get off your critical attitude! Dealing with the IRS is terrifying. It is against community standards to tell someone that their problem is "no big deal." In this case, the investigation by the IRS will certainly take two months if not longer.

Doormatno1 - People MAY be right that there will be no great financial impact, but it is a horrible violation of your adult personal autonomy to declare you as a dependent on your father's tax form. It is demeaning that your brother would assume that he had the right to do this without consulting you. It makes one think that he thinks you're a "no account loser," which is not true. It must sting extra hard because of your business failure.

AmyWh0 I don't know how old your son is but a couple of years ago one my neighbors was still claiming his 25 year old son and I believe they still are because he can't find work because a learning disability. I don't know if you son lives at home there's does so maybe that's why. I would double check to make sure you didn't get the wrong info.