I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who works in tax compliance, I can tell you that unfortunately the IRS holds taxpayers ultimately responsible for filing on time, even when a preparer fails them. However, you absolutely have grounds for penalty relief. The key is proving "reasonable cause" - which means you acted as an ordinary, prudent person would under similar circumstances. Your situation fits this perfectly: you hired a preparer well before the deadline, provided all documents timely, and paid for the service in good faith. When you write your penalty abatement letter, focus on these facts: the date you engaged the preparer (February), when you provided documents, payment proof, and any communications showing you believed your taxes were being handled. Don't get emotional in the letter - stick to a timeline of facts. Also, definitely file Form 14157 to report this preparer. The IRS takes these complaints seriously, especially with preparers who take payment but don't deliver services. This protects other taxpayers and strengthens your case. File your taxes immediately to stop additional penalties from accruing. If your return is straightforward, tax software might be fastest. For complex situations, find a credentialed preparer (CPA or Enrolled Agent) - just verify their credentials this time! You're not alone in this - preparer negligence cases happen more than you'd think, and the IRS does grant relief when taxpayers can prove they acted responsibly.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I completely understand your frustration and panic. Here's what worked for me: First, file your taxes IMMEDIATELY using software like TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA if your situation is straightforward - don't wait for another preparer. Every day you delay adds more penalties. For the penalty abatement letter, be very specific about dates and include ALL documentation. I wrote something like: "On February 3rd, 2024, I engaged [preparer's name] and provided all required tax documents. On February 10th, I paid $350 for preparation and filing services. On [dates], the preparer assured me via [email/text/phone] that my return was being processed." Then attach screenshots, payment receipts, everything. The IRS actually has a "reasonable cause" provision in IRC Section 6651(a)(1) for situations exactly like this. In my case, they waived over $600 in penalties because I could prove I acted in good faith and the failure was due to circumstances beyond my control. Also, definitely report this preparer on Form 14157. I found out my guy had multiple complaints against him - wish I'd known to check that beforehand! Don't let this person's incompetence ruin your financial life. You did everything right, and the IRS recognizes that when you can document it properly.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now - codes 810 and 570, stuck in wage verification for 7 months after completing identity verification. It's incredibly frustrating to see so many people dealing with this same issue. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the most effective approaches are: 1. **Congressional inquiry** - seems to have worked for several people here and it's free 2. **Taxpayer Advocate Service** - but you need to prove actual financial hardship 3. **Getting escalated to a Case Advocate** within the IRS (not just regular phone reps) I'm definitely going to try the congressional route first since multiple people mentioned success with that. For anyone else in this boat, it's clear we need to be more aggressive about escalating rather than accepting "just keep waiting" as an answer. The fact that so many of us are experiencing 6-12 month delays for what should be routine processing is absolutely unacceptable. Our refunds aren't "bonuses" - it's our own money that was over-withheld! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and specific tactics. Going to start documenting everything and pushing harder for actual resolution instead of just more waiting.

This is such a frustrating situation and unfortunately way too common right now. I went through something similar last year - codes 810 and 570, stuck in wage verification for 10 months. Here's what I learned from my experience: The "60-day referral" they mentioned is basically meaningless - it's just a way to get you off the phone. I was told that three different times and nothing ever happened. What actually worked for me was a combination approach: 1. Filed Form 911 for Taxpayer Advocate Service (you need to show financial hardship) 2. Contacted my congressman's office through their casework department 3. Started calling every 2 weeks and specifically asking to speak with a Case Advocate, not just regular customer service The congressional inquiry was what finally broke things loose. Their office submitted a formal inquiry and I had movement within 3 weeks. The key is emphasizing the financial hardship you're experiencing - mention specific bills you can't pay, any late fees you've incurred, etc. Also, make sure your employer didn't ignore any verification requests from the IRS. Sometimes the delay is actually on their end and they never tell you. Don't give up! 8+ months is completely unacceptable and you have every right to push for resolution. Document everything and keep escalating. Your $7,800 is YOUR money and you shouldn't have to wait indefinitely for it.

Hey Hugh! I totally get your confusion - I was in the exact same situation when I started my first job after college. The terminology on those HR forms can be really intimidating! For most U.S. citizens like yourself, your TIN (taxpayer identification number) is simply your Social Security Number (SSN). They're the same thing! When the forms ask for your TIN, just enter your 9-digit SSN. You can find your SSN on your Social Security card, any previous tax documents if you've filed before, or even on bank statements or other official paperwork where it appears. The reason this seems confusing is that "TIN" is actually an umbrella term that covers different types of tax identification numbers: - SSN for individual U.S. citizens (which is what you'll use) - EIN for businesses - ITIN for certain non-citizens who need to file taxes But for regular employment paperwork as a U.S. citizen, your SSN serves as your TIN. You don't need to apply for anything separate - just use the Social Security Number you already have! Don't stress about it - the forms make it sound way more complicated than it actually is. You're doing fine, and using your SSN when they ask for a TIN is exactly what you're supposed to do.

Hey Hugh! I totally understand the confusion - this tripped me up when I first started working too. For most U.S. citizens like yourself, your TIN (taxpayer identification number) is exactly the same as your Social Security Number (SSN). When your HR department asks for your TIN on those forms, just enter your 9-digit SSN. You can find it on your Social Security card, previous tax returns if you've filed any, or other official documents like bank statements. The confusion comes from the fact that TIN is actually an umbrella term covering different types of tax ID numbers - SSNs for individuals, EINs for businesses, ITINs for certain non-citizens, etc. But for regular employment paperwork as a U.S. citizen, your SSN is your TIN. Don't worry about putting the wrong information - you're doing exactly what you're supposed to do by using your SSN when they ask for a TIN. The forms make it sound more complicated than it really is!

This is such a timely post for me! I was just selected to be on The Price is Right next month and I've been wondering about the tax implications. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening. A couple of follow-up questions based on what I've learned: 1. For those who've been on game shows, do they typically give you any tax guidance during the taping process, or do they just hand you the 1099-MISC later and leave you to figure it out? 2. I'm seeing conflicting information about estimated quarterly taxes. If I win something substantial (like a car worth $30K+), will I need to make estimated tax payments for the current year, or can I just handle it all when I file my return? 3. Has anyone had success negotiating with the show about the fair market value they assign to prizes? Some of the values mentioned here seem pretty inflated compared to what you could actually buy the same items for. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - this thread is going to save me from making some expensive mistakes!

Just to add another perspective - I won on Jeopardy! two years ago and can confirm everything said here about game show winnings being treated as ordinary income, not gambling income. One thing I'd emphasize is to start setting money aside immediately if you win big prizes. I won $45,000 in cash and some smaller prizes, and even though they withheld taxes from the cash winnings, I still owed about $8,000 more when I filed. The withholding rate they use (usually 24%) often isn't enough if the winnings push you into a higher tax bracket. Also, for anyone going on shows in the future - ask about the "5-day rule" for California. If you're a non-resident who wins on a show filmed in CA, you might be able to avoid California state taxes if you leave the state within 5 days of winning. It's worth looking into depending on your situation and the value of what you win. The whole experience was incredible though, and honestly the taxes are just part of the deal. Better to win and pay taxes than not win at all!

Has your uncle looked at the possibility of a 1031 exchange? If the beneficiaries are interested in reinvesting in another property, you might be able to defer the capital gains taxes.

Just wanted to add another perspective based on my experience with a similar trust situation. Make sure you get a professional appraisal of the property as of your grandmother's date of death if you haven't already. The IRS will want solid documentation of the stepped-up basis value, and having a formal appraisal from around that time (or a retroactive one) can save you headaches later. Also, don't forget about potential state tax implications - some states have their own capital gains rules that might differ from federal treatment. Since you mentioned multiple beneficiaries across potentially different states, this could get complex quickly. The timing of when your uncle decides to sell versus distribute is crucial, so definitely get professional advice before making that decision. Trust tax rates hit the top bracket at much lower income levels than individual rates, so the math really matters here depending on everyone's personal tax situations.