I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago! What finally worked for me was using the FTB's online appointment scheduler - you can book a phone appointment and they'll call you at the scheduled time. It's buried pretty deep on their website under "Contact Us" > "Schedule a Call" but it's a game changer. I got through in 3 days instead of weeks of calling. Also, if you're dealing with a payment issue specifically, try their "Web Pay" system first - sometimes you can resolve payment problems without needing to talk to anyone. The whole system definitely needs an overhaul, but at least there are some workarounds! Good luck! 🍀

I've been lurking here for a while but had to create an account to share this - I actually work for a tax resolution company and we deal with FTB daily. Here's the insider scoop: their phone system is absolutely overwhelmed, but there are a few tricks that work. First, try calling at exactly 8:00 AM Pacific on Tuesday or Wednesday (avoid Mondays like the plague). Second, if you're calling about a payment, have your SSN, tax year, and payment amount ready - they can often resolve simple payment issues in under 10 minutes if you have everything ready. Third, and this is key - if you get disconnected, ask for the rep's direct extension before you hang up. Most people don't know you can do this, but they're allowed to give it out. Also, @GalacticGladiator is spot on about that appointment scheduler - it's a lifesaver but super hidden on their site. Hope this helps everyone here! 🙏

Oof, been there done that. It's a real pain in the butt. First thing you gotta do is figure out why it got suspended. Could be taxes, annual reports, or something else. Once you know that, you can start fixing it.

Oh wow, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and it was super stressful. In my case, it was because I missed filing the annual Statement of Information - totally my fault for not keeping track of the deadline. The reinstatement took about 2-3 weeks once I got all the paperwork submitted, but that was after I spent another week just figuring out what I needed to do. For your payroll situation, I'd recommend being upfront with your employees about the delay if needed. Most people are understanding when you explain the situation. Also, make sure to check if there are any penalties or interest that will accrue while you're getting this sorted out - that caught me off guard and added to my costs. The Secretary of State website should have a business search tool where you can look up your corporation and see the exact reason for suspension. That's probably your best starting point. Good luck - you'll get through this! 💪

Maya, I went through this exact situation last year! The key is to call the FTB directly rather than going through TurboTax first. When you call, have your SSN and the exact amount of the scheduled payment ready - they'll need it to locate your account quickly. Also, ask them to confirm the cancellation date so you know exactly when it takes effect. The rep I spoke with was actually pretty helpful once I got through. Given your job situation, they might also be able to help you set up a more manageable payment plan if you still owe anything. Good luck!

Just wanted to add - if you're dealing with financial hardship due to job loss, make sure to ask about the FTB's hardship programs when you call. They have options for people in tough situations that might help reduce penalties or set up more flexible payment arrangements. Also, document everything! Write down the date you called, who you spoke with, and any reference numbers they give you. This saved me when there was confusion about my cancellation later. Wishing you the best of luck, Maya!

I'm dealing with this same nightmare right now! Been locked out for about a week and that error message is so unhelpful. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening though - I had no idea there were so many potential causes! I'm definitely going to try the EIN instead of SSN approach first since that seems to have worked for multiple people. Also going to make sure I'm entering my business name exactly as it appears on my original Articles of Organization (probably without "LLC" at the end knowing how picky their system is). The timing tips are really helpful too - I've been trying to call during lunch hours when everyone else is probably doing the same thing. Going to try early morning tomorrow. One thing I'll add that might help others - if you've recently updated your registered agent or made any changes to your LLC filing, double-check that those are properly reflected in FTB's system. Sometimes there's a lag between when you file amendments and when their login system actually updates. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions - it's reassuring to know this is actually solvable even though it's a total pain! Will update if I find the magic combination that works 🤞

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying to log into my business account for about a week and keep getting that same "information doesn't match records" error. It's so frustrating because the message gives you absolutely no clue what's actually wrong. This thread has been incredibly helpful though - I never would have thought of half these solutions! I'm definitely going to try using my EIN instead of SSN first since that seems to have worked for several people. Also going to double-check that I'm entering my business name exactly as it appears on my original filing docs (probably without "LLC" at the end). The browser clearing and timing tips are great too - I've definitely been trying during busy hours when their system is probably overloaded. Going to try early morning tomorrow and see if that helps. It's actually reassuring to know so many people have dealt with this and found solutions, even though it's a total pain. FTB's system seems like it's held together with duct tape and prayers! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - gives me hope there's actually a way through this bureaucratic nightmare 🤞

Been there! I made a similar mistake a few years back and it felt overwhelming at first, but it's definitely fixable. The key is acting quickly and being completely transparent with the IRS about what happened. I'd recommend calling them first thing in the morning - the wait times are usually shorter earlier in the day. When you speak to them, have all your payment confirmation numbers ready and be clear about the mix-up. They'll likely guide you through filing amended returns for both personal and business. It's a hassle, but the IRS deals with these kinds of honest mistakes regularly. You're not the first person to do this and you won't be the last! Keep your chin up - this will get resolved.

Hey @NeonNebula! I just wanted to echo what everyone else has said - you're definitely not alone in this mistake. I work in tax prep and see payment mix-ups like this at least a few times each season. The most important thing is that you caught it relatively quickly. When you call the IRS tomorrow, make sure to have your confirmation numbers for the payment you made, along with both your SSN and business EIN ready. They'll likely walk you through the process step by step. One tip: if you get disconnected or the agent can't help, don't hesitate to call back and try again. Different agents sometimes have different levels of experience with these situations. You've got this! 💪