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!

Hey OP, just curious - what kind of business are you starting? I'm thinking of setting up an S Corp too and wondering if it's worth the hassle.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation last year! The FTB automatically sent me a bill for the $800 minimum tax even though I was clearly eligible for the waiver. When I called, the first representative I spoke with didn't seem familiar with the Small Business Tax Relief Act, so I had to escalate to a supervisor. The key things that helped me were: 1) Having my articles of incorporation handy showing my incorporation date was after 1/1/2021, 2) Specifically mentioning the Small Business Tax Relief Act by name, and 3) being persistent but polite. It took about 45 minutes on the phone total, but they did reverse the charge. One thing to note - even with the waiver, you still need to file your 100S return by the deadline. The waiver just eliminates the $800 fee, not the filing requirement. Good luck with your call!

As someone who just went through this exact nightmare last week, I feel your pain! Here's what finally worked for me: I used the callback feature instead of staying on hold (if you press 1 when they give you the option, they'll call you back and hold your place in line). It saved me from listening to that awful hold music for hours 😅 Also, I discovered that if you call their "Tax Help Line" instead of the main number, sometimes the wait is shorter - it's technically for tax questions but they can transfer you to payments if needed. The number is 1-800-852-5711. One more tip: if you have a smartphone, download an app that can redial automatically - I used one called "Auto Redial" and set it to keep trying every 30 seconds until I got through. It's tedious but way better than manually redialing all day. Good luck, and don't give up! The representatives are actually really helpful once you finally reach them 💪

I just went through this exact same ordeal a couple weeks ago! After reading all these amazing tips from everyone, I wish I had found this thread earlier 😭 What finally worked for me was a combination of several strategies mentioned here: I called the Tax Help Line (thanks @Yara for that number!) at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday, used the callback feature instead of staying on hold, and had ALL my documents spread out on my desk beforehand - SSN, tax year, payment amounts, bank info, the works. The callback feature was a lifesaver - they called me back in about 2 hours instead of me sitting on hold forever. The rep was super helpful and we got everything sorted in one call! One thing I'll add that helped: I wrote down exactly what I wanted to say before the call so I wouldn't fumble around or forget anything when I finally got someone on the line. The adrenaline rush of actually reaching a human made my brain go blank for a second 😅 Hang in there everyone - this thread proves we're not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare, and there ARE ways to get through! The system is broken but at least we can help each other navigate it 💪✨

This is why I always pay my taxes with a credit card. Yeah, there's a fee, but the paper trail is worth it. Plus, if something like this happens, you can dispute the charge.

Been through this nightmare before! 😤 The FTB's payment processing system is seriously outdated. What helped me was creating a timeline document with exact dates, payment methods, and amounts. Also, if you paid electronically, try to get a confirmation number from your bank showing the payment went to the FTB specifically. Sometimes payments get misallocated to the wrong account or tax year. Don't let them intimidate you - you paid what you owed and they need to fix their mistake!

Have you checked your business entity status on the Secretary of State website? Sometimes the FTB and SOS don't communicate well, and your business might actually be active there.

I went through something similar last year! The FTB had my LLC suspended for over 18 months despite submitting all the paperwork correctly. What finally worked for me was sending a certified letter with copies of all my documentation (revival certificate, payment receipts, etc.) directly to their Sacramento office. Include a cover letter explaining the timeline and requesting immediate action. I also cc'd my state assemblyman's office - sometimes a little political pressure helps move things along. Within 3 weeks of sending that letter, my business was finally revived. Don't give up - the squeaky wheel gets the grease with these agencies!