Can't reach IRS? Claimyr connects you to a live IRS agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the IRS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the IRS drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
I've been following this thread closely as I'm dealing with an IRC 1341 situation myself. My employer accidentally included me in a year-end profit sharing distribution in 2022 even though I had left the company two weeks before the eligibility cutoff date. I had to repay $3,800 in 2023. Initially, I just took a deduction for the repayment, but after reading all the detailed advice here about using the IRC 1341 credit, I realized I probably made a mistake. I was in the 24% bracket in 2022 when I received the profit sharing, but only 12% in 2023 when I repaid it due to lower income that year. The specific terminology everyone has mentioned is eye-opening - I had no idea that using phrases like "erroneously made under a claim of right" could make such a difference with the IRS. My original documentation just said "ineligible for profit sharing distribution" which clearly isn't sufficient based on what I'm reading here. I'm planning to file an amended return using the documentation approach that Chad, Camila, and others have outlined. The profit sharing eligibility requirements should actually make this easier to document since there are clear company policy dates that establish I wasn't entitled to the payment. Thanks to everyone for sharing such specific, successful strategies. This thread has been more helpful than any tax professional I've consulted with about IRC 1341!
Your profit sharing situation is actually a perfect example of when IRC 1341 can provide significant benefits! With that bracket difference (24% down to 12%), you're looking at potentially recovering twice as much tax benefit compared to just taking the deduction you originally claimed. The profit sharing eligibility cutoff date makes your documentation much stronger than many other situations discussed here. Since there are specific policy dates establishing when employees must be active to receive distributions, you should be able to get very clear language from your former employer about why the payment was made in error. I'd suggest requesting a letter that states something like "distribution was erroneously made under a claim of right to an employee who was not eligible under company policy due to termination prior to the December X eligibility date." Having that specific date reference creates an ironclad paper trail that the IRS can easily verify. Given the significant bracket difference in your case, filing that amended return is definitely worth the effort. Make sure to include the complete IRC 1341 worksheets showing both methods, and don't forget to prominently reference "IRC Section 1341" in your cover letter as others have mentioned. Your situation should be relatively straightforward for the IRS to process once you have the proper documentation and terminology in place. The profit sharing policy violation is much clearer than some of the payroll system errors others have dealt with.
I'm currently going through a very similar IRC 1341 situation and this thread has been incredibly enlightening! My previous employer continued paying my salary for about 5 weeks after my last day due to what they called a "payroll processing delay." The total overpayment was around $9,200 that I had to repay in 2024. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences, I now realize I've been completely underestimating the importance of specific documentation language. I initially planned to just take a deduction, but given that I was in the 28% bracket when I received the payments and I'm only in the 22% bracket this year, the IRC 1341 Method 2 credit could save me substantially more. The consistent pattern I'm seeing from successful cases is using exact terminology like "erroneously made under a claim of right" rather than generic repayment language. I'm going to go back to my former employer's HR department with the specific phrasing that Chad and others have mentioned to get proper documentation. I'm also planning to prepare the complete documentation package - both calculation methods on the Publication 525 worksheets, a detailed tax computation showing the difference, and a cover letter prominently referencing "IRC Section 1341" rather than just the publication number. Thanks to everyone who shared their actual experiences and specific language that worked. This thread provides the kind of practical, real-world guidance that you just can't get from the IRS publications alone. It's given me confidence that I can navigate this complex situation successfully!
Join the conversation
Code 806 is withholding credit (taxes taken from your paychecks) and code 768 is Earned Income Credit. Both are in your favor! Since these have a date and you already got a on 3/9/22, this likely means additional were applied to your account. Watch for code 846 ( issued) - that's when you'll know if another payment is coming. The sometimes processes adjustments or additional after the initial refund, so this could be good news for you!
This is super helpful! I've been seeing similar codes on my and was totally confused. Quick question - about how long does it usually take for the 846 code to show up after you see these credit codes? I'm in the same boat where I got my initial months ago but now seeing these newer dated entries. Fingers crossed it means more money coming! 🤞
Hey @Omar Hassan, from what I've seen in this community, the timing can vary quite a bit. Sometimes the 846 code shows up within a week or two of the credit codes, but it can take longer depending on processing times. I'd check your weekly - the 846 code usually appears first, then the actual deposit hits your account 1-3 business days later. Keep us posted on what you see! Really hoping you both get that extra soon! 🤞
Hey Winter! Those codes are actually good news - you're getting additional credits! Code 806 is your withholding credit (federal taxes taken from paychecks) and 768 is the Earned Income Credit. Since you already got a on 3/9/22 and these codes show 4/15/22, it means the processed additional for you after your initial refund. Keep checking your for code 846 - that's the " issued" code that will show when your additional is being sent. Usually takes 1-2 weeks after these credit codes appear, but timing can vary. You should be getting more money soon! 💰
Join the conversation
Random question - are there any benefits to filing taxes as a student even with no income? I heard something about it helping with credit scores but that sounds like BS to me lol
Filing taxes has zero direct impact on your credit score. Credit bureaus don't even look at your tax returns. However, having tax returns can be helpful documentation when applying for larger loans like mortgages later on. Lenders sometimes want to see a history of tax returns, even for years with little/no income, to verify your financial history. But that's for major loans years down the road, not your regular credit score.
Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like you're not required to file since you have no income, but you might actually benefit from filing anyway! Even with just that one community college class, you could potentially claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for the tuition you paid. The credit is worth up to 20% of qualified education expenses (up to $2,000 max), so if you spent money on tuition, books, or required fees, you might get some of that back. Since you mentioned you're 33, you're definitely eligible regardless of how many classes you're taking. Also, just a heads up - if you ever need to prove your income status for financial aid or other programs, having a filed return (even showing $0 income) can be really helpful documentation. Some schools and government programs prefer actual tax returns over just verbal statements about not having income. Florida doesn't have state income tax, so you'd only need to worry about federal. Might be worth running the numbers to see if filing would get you any money back!
This is really helpful advice! I'm actually in a pretty similar situation - 29, taking classes part-time at a community college, and wasn't sure if I should bother filing. I paid about $800 in tuition last semester and had completely forgotten about education credits being available for part-time students. Quick question though - do you know if the Lifetime Learning Credit applies to just tuition or can it include textbooks and supplies too? I probably spent another $200-300 on books and lab materials that were required for my classes. Also wondering if there's any downside to filing when you don't have to? Like does it put you "on the radar" somehow or create any complications for future years?
Join the conversation
I've been using QuickBooks for payroll with ITIN employees and it handles them just fine. You just enter the ITIN in the SSN field when setting up the employee profile. The system treats it the same as an SSN for tax calculations and reporting. One tip - make sure to double-check that the ITIN format is correct (9XX-XX-XXXX) before submitting any payroll reports. I had one instance where I accidentally transposed numbers and it caused issues with my quarterly filing. Also, keep copies of their ITIN documentation in their employee files. During my state audit last year, they specifically asked to see proof of the ITINs I had reported. Having the official IRS letters made that process much smoother. For state reporting, I haven't had issues in my state (Texas), but I've heard some states can be pickier about the format. It's worth calling your state's employer services line to confirm their requirements before your first filing.
This is really helpful information about QuickBooks! I'm actually considering switching from our current manual payroll system to QuickBooks, especially now that we're potentially hiring someone with an ITIN. Does QuickBooks automatically handle the tax withholdings correctly for ITIN employees, or do you have to manually adjust anything? Also, when you mentioned keeping copies of ITIN documentation - do you mean the original IRS letter that was sent to the employee when they received their ITIN?
Yes, QuickBooks handles tax withholdings automatically for ITIN employees just like it does for SSN employees. You don't need to make any manual adjustments - the system calculates federal income tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings based on their W-4 information and pay amount. The only difference is that you're entering their ITIN instead of an SSN in the employee setup. Regarding documentation, yes - keep a copy of the official IRS letter (called an ITIN Assignment Notice) that shows their assigned ITIN. Some employees might also have an ITIN card, which is acceptable too. The key is having official IRS documentation that proves the ITIN is legitimate. Don't accept handwritten numbers or unofficial documents. During audits, tax authorities want to see that you verified the ITIN through proper IRS documentation before using it for payroll reporting.
Just wanted to add one more important point that I learned the hard way - make sure you understand the difference between expired and valid ITINs. ITINs can expire if they haven't been used for tax filing in recent years, and the IRS has been deactivating unused ITINs. If your potential employee's ITIN has expired, they'll need to renew it before you can use it for payroll purposes. You can check if an ITIN is still valid by looking at the IRS letter - it should show the issue date and any expiration information. An expired ITIN will cause problems when you try to file your quarterly reports. I had an employee whose ITIN had expired without them realizing it, and we had to hold off on their start date until they could get it renewed through the IRS. The renewal process can take several weeks, so it's worth checking this early in your hiring process. The employee will need to file Form W-7 with supporting documentation to renew an expired ITIN. This might be worth verifying with your candidate before making a final hiring decision, just so there are no surprises that could delay their employment start date.
This is such an important point that I wish I had known earlier! I'm currently going through this exact situation with a potential hire. When you say the renewal process takes several weeks, do you have any idea how long exactly? I'm trying to figure out if we should wait for this candidate or keep looking for other options. Also, is there any way to speed up the ITIN renewal process, or do you just have to wait for the IRS to process it in their own time?
From my experience, the ITIN renewal process typically takes 7-11 weeks, though it can be longer during peak tax season (January through April). Unfortunately, there's no way to expedite the process - the IRS processes renewals in the order they receive them. One thing your candidate can do is check the status of their renewal application online using the IRS's "Where's My Amended Return?" tool, though it's not always updated in real-time. They'll need their SSN or ITIN, date of birth, and ZIP code from their application. If you really want to hire this person and can afford to wait, I'd suggest being upfront about the timeline. In my case, I was able to work with the candidate to set a tentative start date about 10-12 weeks out, which gave us buffer time for processing delays. We stayed in touch throughout the process and it worked out well. Just make sure to get confirmation that they've actually submitted the renewal application (they should have received a receipt from the IRS) before committing to wait. Without that proof, you're essentially waiting on something that may not even be in progress.
Laila Fury
Just adding another perspective - could they be confusing this with the Trump-era payroll tax deferral that happened during COVID? That was only for Social Security and was temporary, but I remember some companies misunderstood it. Or maybe they're thinking of the increased standard deduction? Either way, absolutely not legal to just stop withholding federal taxes!!! My sister works for a tax prep company and says they're already seeing people coming in with massive unexpected tax bills because of withholding mistakes. Don't wait on this!
0 coins
Geoff Richards
•I was thinking the same thing about possible confusion with COVID-era policies. My company temporarily messed up withholding in early 2022 thinking some of those policies were still in effect when they'd actually expired. Took them a month to fix it and everyone had to make catch-up withholding payments.
0 coins
Caleb Stone
This is absolutely not legal and needs immediate attention! As others have mentioned, employers are required by federal law to withhold income taxes based on employee W-4 forms - there's no "compensation philosophy" exemption. I'd recommend your wife take a multi-pronged approach: 1) **Document everything** - Save copies of paystubs showing zero federal withholding and any communication from HR about this policy 2) **Submit a new W-4** - Even if the old one should transfer, get a fresh one on file immediately requesting proper withholding 3) **Calculate quarterly payments** - Start making estimated tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties. You can use IRS Form 1040-ES or the IRS online payment system 4) **Escalate beyond HR** - If payroll/HR won't fix this, consider contacting the Department of Labor or your state's labor department. They take employer tax compliance seriously The fact that this is affecting ALL employees makes it sound like a systematic error during the acquisition rather than individual W-4 issues. The new company may not realize they're violating federal tax law, but ignorance isn't a defense here. Don't let them brush this off - you're looking at potentially thousands in unexpected taxes plus penalties if this continues!
0 coins
Amina Bah
•This is excellent comprehensive advice! I'm dealing with a similar situation at my company where they "forgot" to withhold state taxes for three months after a system upgrade. The documentation piece is so important - I wish I had kept better records from the beginning. One thing I'd add is to also check if your wife's company has an employee handbook or written policies about payroll. Sometimes acquisitions create gaps between what's written and what's actually happening, and having those inconsistencies documented can help when escalating to labor authorities. Also, for the quarterly payments - the IRS website actually has a pretty good calculator to estimate how much you should be setting aside. Better to overpay slightly than face those underpayment penalties!
0 coins