Received 1099-G from FTB for non-existent benefits - What to do?
I just got a 1099-G from the state tax board even though I didn't get any refund, unemployment, family leave, grants, or loans last year. Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm so confused and worried about what this means for my taxes. Any advice on what I should do?
25 comments


Sebastian Scott
Ugh, that sucks. I had a similar issue last year. First thing you should do is check your IRS tax transcript. It might show some transactions or codes that explain whats going on. You can get it online pretty easily.
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Sarah Jones
β’Thanks for the tip! I'll def look into that. How do I access the transcript? Is it on the IRS website?
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Sebastian Scott
β’Yep, just go to IRS.gov and search for 'Get Transcript'. You'll need to create an account if you haven't already. It's a bit of a pain but worth it.
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Emily Sanjay
β’This is solid advice. The transcript can be a goldmine of info. Just be prepared, it can be confusing to read at first. π€
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Jordan Walker
I've been dealing with this exact problem for weeks now! π€ The FTB is such a mess. I've called them like 20 times and can never get through. Anyone know a secret number or best time to call?
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Natalie Adams
β’Actually, I found a way to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/XbqD8mexcoQ
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Elijah O'Reilly
β’Wait, seriously? That sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Natalie Adams
β’Yeah, I was skeptical at first too, but it really did work for me. Saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo.
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Amara Torres
β’$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken π€‘
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Natalie Adams
β’I get it, but when you factor in the time and stress saved, it was worth it for me. To each their own tho!
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Olivia Van-Cleve
This happened to me too! Turns out it was a mistake on their end. I had to file a dispute form and it took forever, but they eventually fixed it. Don't panic, but start the process ASAP cuz it can take months.
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Mason Kaczka
Have you checked if someone might have filed for unemployment in your name? There's been a lot of fraud lately. Might be worth checking your credit report too, just in case.
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Sarah Jones
β’Oh god, I didn't even think of that. That's terrifying. I'll definitely look into it. Thanks for the heads up!
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Sophia Russo
β’Thisπ Identity theft is no joke. Happened to my cousin last year and it was a nightmare to sort out.
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Evelyn Xu
OK, let me break this down for you. I've been through this rodeo before and here's what you need to do: 1. Don't panic. Seriously, it's probably just a clerical error. 2. Get your IRS transcript ASAP. This will show if any benefits were actually paid out. 3. Contact the FTB directly. Use their dispute form (Form 3895). Don't wait on this! 4. Check your credit report for any suspicious activity. 5. If you suspect fraud, file a police report and contact the FTB's fraud department. 6. Keep ALL documentation. Every call, every letter, everything. 7. Consider getting a tax professional involved if things get complicated. Remember, you're not alone in this. The system is a mess right now and a lot of people are in the same boat. Stay persistent and you'll get it sorted out!
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Sarah Jones
β’Wow, thank you so much for this detailed response! This is incredibly helpful. I'm feeling a bit less overwhelmed now. π
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Dominic Green
β’This should be pinned or something. Super helpful info!
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Hannah Flores
β’Quick question - how long did the whole process take for you?
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Evelyn Xu
β’It took about 3 months from start to finish. But I've heard it can take longer, especially now with all the backlogs. Patience is key!
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Kayla Jacobson
lol welcome to the club π FTB and EDD are playing hot potato with our lives and we're all just along for the ride π
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William Rivera
β’ain't that the truth π sometimes you gotta laugh or you'll cry
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Grace Lee
Has anyone tried contacting their state representative about this? I've heard they can sometimes help push things along with state agencies.
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Mia Roberts
β’I did this! It actually helped a lot. My rep's office had a dedicated person for tax issues and they were able to get things moving when I was stuck.
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The Boss
β’Thats a great idea! do you just google your local rep or is their a specific way to find the right person to contact?
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Mia Roberts
β’Just google '[your city] state representative'. Most have contact forms on their websites. Be persistent!
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