Has anyone tried contacting their state representative about this? I've heard they can sometimes help push things along with state agencies.

Hey Sarah, I'm actually going through something similar right now! Got a 1099-G last month for unemployment benefits I never received. What helped me was calling the EDD first (not FTB) to see if there's a claim in my name - turns out someone had filed fraudulently. The EDD fraud hotline is 1-800-229-6297. Also, definitely freeze your credit if you haven't already. The whole process is a pain but you'll get through it! Keep us posted on what you find out.

Hey OP, have you checked out r/smallbusiness? They have a lot of resources and discussions about handling various business taxes, including franchise taxes. Might be worth a look!

As someone who's been through this process, I'd recommend starting with the FTB's online resources first - their website actually has some decent calculators and forms that can help you figure out what you owe. If you're dealing with a straightforward situation, you might be able to resolve it without calling at all. But if you do need to call, try early morning (like 8 AM sharp) or late afternoon - those seem to be the best times to get through. Also, have ALL your paperwork ready before you call because they'll ask for specific account numbers and tax years right away. 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!

Maya, sorry to hear about your job situation - that's really tough timing with tax season. I actually work in customer service (not for FTB, but similar government agency) and can give you some insider tips to make this easier. Call right when they open at 8am - you'll get through much faster. When you get someone on the line, immediately say "I need to cancel an automatic tax payment that was set up through TurboTax due to financial hardship from job loss." This signals to them exactly what department you need and that you have a legitimate reason. They're usually much more helpful when they understand it's a hardship situation rather than just wanting to cancel for convenience. Also, don't hang up until you get a confirmation number - that's your proof the cancellation went through. Hope this helps and things turn around for you soon! 🤞

Anyone else feel like they need a law degree just to run a small business these days? lol

As someone who's been through this process multiple times, I'd recommend starting with the FTB's Small Business Workshop series - they're free and cover the basics really well. Also, make sure you're registered for the right business entity type with the Secretary of State, as that affects your FTB obligations. One thing that caught me off guard my first year was the minimum franchise tax - even if you have no income, you still owe $800 for LLCs and corporations. Budget for that early! And definitely keep digital copies of everything - the FTB loves documentation.

Hey OP, just curious - how long ago did you make the payment they're saying you didn't make?

This is so stressful! I had a similar issue last year where they claimed I owed money despite having proof of payment. What really helped me was creating a timeline document with all payment dates, confirmation numbers, and any correspondence. Also, when you call, ask for a supervisor right away if the first person can't help - don't waste time with someone who doesn't have authority to fix it. The whole process took about 6 weeks to resolve, but they did eventually clear everything up and removed the lien. Stay strong and keep all your documentation organized!