TurboTax Desktop

To resolve this, you need to verify, and if necessary, correct the student's social security number and name on Form 8863 and on the Federal Information Worksheet. Here's how:

1. Verify Form 8863:
   
   
   • Open your return in TurboTax Desktop.
   • From the TurboTax Forms menu, select Show My Return.
   • Select Form 8863: Education Credits, and then select Open.
   • In column (b) for Part I and II, verify that the student's social security number (SSN) and last name match his or her Social Security card. Check for misspellings or transpositions in the last name and SSN. Be sure the first and last names are entered in the correct fields.
   • If this information is incorrect, make the correction on Form 8863, save your return, and then re-file. TurboTax does not charge to re-file the same return electronically.
2. Verify the Federal Information Worksheet:
   
   
   • From the Forms menu, choose Show My Return.
   • Select the Federal Information Worksheet, and then select Open.
   • Verify the student's name and social security number on this form as well. Check for misspellings or transpositions in the last name and SSN. Be sure the first and last names are entered in the correct fields.
   • If this information is incorrect, make the correction on the Federal Information worksheet, save your return, and then re-file. TurboTax does not charge to re-file the same return electronically.
3. Still getting the error?
   
   
   • If the above information is correct, call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800) 772-1213 and verify that the SSN matches the name on record (particularly if the student recently changed his or her name).
   • If the SSA has incorrect information, then submit a request to have the information changed. This process generally takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you can't wait to re-file electronically, then you need to print and mail your return.

TurboTax Online

To resolve this, you need to verify, and if necessary, correct the student's social security number and name in the Personal Info section of your return. Here's how:

1. Sign in to TurboTax Online.
2. Verify dependent information:
   
   • Select the Personal Info tab, and then select Dependents.
   • Select the dependent whom you identified as the student when declaring education expenses, and then select Edit.
   • Verify that the dependent's Social Security number (SSN) and name match his or her Social Security card.
   • Make sure the dependent's name is not misspelled, and the middle initial and suffix have been entered in the correct fields.
   • If this information is incorrect, update it, save your return, and then re-file. You will not be charged again to re-file the same return electronically.
3. Verify primary or secondary taxpayer information:
   
   
   • Select the Personal Info tab, and then select About You.
   • Click Continue to display the taxpayer and spouse personal information.
   • For the taxpayer and spouse, verify that the social security numbers entered here match their Social Security cards.
   • Make sure their names are not misspelled, and the middle initial and suffix have been entered in the correct fields.
   • If this information is incorrect, update it, save your return, and then re-file. TurboTax does not charge to re-file the same return electronically.
4. Still getting the error?
   
   
   • If the above information is correct, call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800) 772-1213 and verify that the SSN matches the name on record (particularly if the student recently changed his or her name).
   • If the SSA has incorrect information, then submit a request to have the information changed. This process generally takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you can't wait to re-file electronically, then you need to print and mail your return.