Did you get any kind of receipt or confirmation when you originally had your taxes prepared? Even if they didn't file, they should have given you physical copies of your completed returns. If you have those, you could file them yourself by mail to get the process started while you fight with H&R Block. Also, for the stimulus money you're owed, I'd recommend filing Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) with the IRS. That specifically traces missing stimulus payments and can be processed separately from your regular tax return.

This is absolutely infuriating! I can't believe H&R Block would put you through this. A year of waiting for nearly $10k that you were rightfully owed? That's not just an inconvenience - that's a serious financial hardship. Here's what I'd do immediately: First, gather every piece of documentation from your original visit - receipts, copies of returns, appointment confirmations, anything. Then contact both the original location AND corporate headquarters simultaneously. Don't wait for one to respond before trying the other. When you call corporate, be very clear about the timeline and financial impact. Mention that you've been financially struggling while waiting for THEIR mistake to be resolved. Ask specifically for their "Peace of Mind Guarantee" to cover not just the refiling fees, but additional compensation for the year-long delay. Also, since you're dealing with 2021 and 2022 returns, time is becoming a factor. The IRS typically has a 3-year statute of limitations for claiming refunds, so you need to get those 2021 returns filed soon. Consider filing a complaint with your state's attorney general office as well - they often have consumer protection divisions that take these cases seriously, especially when large companies are involved. You shouldn't have to pay a single penny more to fix their mistake. Stand firm on that!

As someone who works in banking, I can confirm what others are saying about TaxAct's confusing terminology. "This return has been paid" essentially means your refund has moved from the IRS to TaxAct's intermediary bank, they've collected their fees, and now they're processing the remainder to your account. It's basically the final step before you see your money. Since you're doing a PCS move next month, here's a pro tip: contact your bank and let them know you're expecting a large deposit from the US Treasury. Sometimes banks will put holds on unexpected large deposits for security reasons, which could delay access to your funds right when you need them most. A quick heads-up to your bank can prevent any unnecessary delays. Based on the experiences shared here, you should see your refund within the next few days. The military community has your back - we all know how tight finances can get during PCS season!

Hey Kristian! First off, thank you for your service and good luck with your upcoming PCS - I know how stressful those moves can be financially! That "This return has been paid" message is actually great news! I've been using TaxAct for about 4 years now, and from my experience (and what everyone else is confirming here), this means TaxAct has successfully collected their preparation fees from your refund. The key thing to understand is that they can only do this AFTER the IRS has already approved and sent your refund to TaxAct's processing bank. Since you mentioned you can't check your transcripts, definitely try the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool - you'll just need your SSN, filing status, and refund amount. But honestly, based on that TaxAct message, you're in the final stretch. Most people here are reporting they get their direct deposit within 2-5 days of seeing that status. I'd recommend checking your bank account directly rather than waiting for TaxAct to update - sometimes the money shows up first. You might also want to call your bank and give them a heads up that you're expecting a Treasury deposit, just to avoid any potential holds during your PCS timeline. Your refund should be hitting your account any day now! Hang in there - the timing should work out perfectly for your move next month.

Anyone know if you have to amend previous tax returns if you never got these 1099-INTs from security deposits in past years? Just realized I've never reported this kind of interest before. 😬

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key thing to remember is that even though it's a small amount, the IRS computer systems automatically match 1099 forms to tax returns, so you definitely want to report it to avoid any automated notices later. One tip that helped me: when you're entering it in TurboTax, make sure you enter the exact amount shown in Box 1 of the 1099-INT, even if it seems like an odd number. Don't round it. The software will handle all the calculations and put it in the right place on your return. Also, keep that 1099-INT with your tax records! If you ever get an IRS notice (unlikely for such a small amount, but possible), having the original form makes resolving it much easier.

Emma, I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. Job loss is incredibly stressful, and having to navigate early 401k withdrawals while managing your finances makes it even more overwhelming. You've received some excellent advice in this thread, and I want to reinforce a few key points while adding some additional considerations: **For your W-4R withholding percentage:** Given that you only worked 4 months this year, your total 2023 income will indeed be much lower than normal. The 12-15% federal withholding range that others have suggested makes a lot of sense. I'd lean toward 15% to be safe, especially since you can always adjust with a new W-4R later if needed. **Additional considerations:** - Make sure to factor in any severance pay or unused PTO payouts when calculating your total 2023 income - If you're in a state with income tax, remember the W-4R only covers federal withholding - Keep detailed records of any withdrawal funds used for health insurance premiums - this could qualify for the penalty exception **Timing consideration:** Since you mentioned being in a "tough spot financially," you might want to process this withdrawal sooner rather than later to avoid additional financial stress. However, if you can manage to wait until later in the year, you'll have a clearer picture of your actual 2023 income for more precise withholding calculations. The fact that you're researching this carefully shows you're making smart financial decisions during a challenging time. The tech job market is tough right now, but your skills are valuable. Take care of yourself, and remember this situation is temporary. You've got this!

Emma, I'm really sorry to hear about your layoff - that's incredibly stressful, especially in today's market. I've been following this thread and there's been some excellent advice shared. Since you only worked 4 months this year, you're actually in a unique tax situation that could work in your favor. Your total 2023 income (partial salary + unemployment + 401k withdrawal) will likely put you in a lower tax bracket than usual. Based on what others have shared, 15% federal withholding seems like a solid starting point rather than the default 20%. This should cover your tax obligations while preserving cash you need right now. A few things to double-check: - Your 401k administrator should be able to walk you through the W-4R form step by step if you call them - Keep records if you use any funds for COBRA/health insurance - that portion may avoid the 10% penalty - Remember you can always submit an updated W-4R if your situation changes I went through something similar a few years ago and the anticipation was honestly worse than actually dealing with it. You're being smart by researching this thoroughly upfront. The tech market is tough but there are still good opportunities out there - hang in there!

I've been dealing with this exact same issue for months! What finally worked for me was requesting Form 4340 (Certificate of Assessments and Payments) directly from the IRS. This form explicitly shows your CSED dates for each tax year, unlike the regular transcripts that make you hunt for assessment dates and do the math yourself. You can request it by calling the IRS or by submitting Form 4506-T and specifically asking for Form 4340 in the remarks section. It takes about 10 business days to receive, but it's worth it because it removes all the guesswork. The form clearly lists "Collection Statute Expiration Date" for each liability, so there's no confusion about calculating 10 years from various transaction codes. Just be aware that if you've had any collection suspensions (bankruptcy, OIC, CDP hearings, etc.), those will extend your CSED beyond the basic 10-year period. But at least with Form 4340, you'll have the baseline dates to work from.

I've been in your exact situation and found that the key is understanding that the CSED information is there on your transcripts, but it's not labeled as such. You need to look for specific transaction codes and dates, then do some calculation. On your Account Transcript, look for these key codes: - TC 150: This shows when your original return was processed - TC 290/300 series: Additional assessments - TC 530: Shows if there were any collection holds The tricky part is that various events can pause or extend the 10-year collection period. I had a similar experience where I thought my CSED was one date, but it turned out I had missed a collection suspension that added several months. If you're still struggling after checking for these codes, I'd recommend either requesting Form 4340 (as mentioned in another comment) or calling the IRS directly. Form 4340 explicitly shows CSED dates without requiring you to interpret transaction codes, which eliminates the guesswork entirely. It's been a lifesaver for people dealing with complex collection histories.