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 went through this exact situation two years ago on my F1 STEM OPT! My employer had been incorrectly withholding FICA taxes for over a year before I caught it. Here's what I learned from the process: First, definitely contact your employer's HR/payroll department immediately with documentation showing your F1 status and the IRS regulations about FICA exemptions for non-resident aliens. Provide them with IRS Publication 519 and highlight the relevant sections. This stops future incorrect withholding. For getting your money back, I filed Form 843 myself and received my refund in about 10 weeks. The key is having complete documentation: your W-2 showing FICA withholding, copies of your visa documents, I-94 records, and a clear explanation of why you're exempt. I also included a timeline showing my entry date and length of stay to prove my non-resident alien status. Pro tip: When calculating how much you're owed, don't forget that FICA includes both Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes - so you should be getting back 7.65% of your gross wages that had FICA withheld. In my case, it was about $2,400 for 14 months of incorrect withholding. The IRS was actually quite responsive once I had all the proper documentation together. Don't let your employer's confusion delay you from filing - you can handle this independently!
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'm definitely going to start gathering all my documentation right away. Quick question about the calculation - when you say 7.65% of gross wages, does that apply to my entire salary for the period, or just the wages that actually had FICA withheld? I'm asking because I had a brief gap in employment during my OPT period, so not every paycheck had FICA taxes taken out. Also, did you include any cover letter with your Form 843, or just submit the form with supporting documents? I want to make sure I don't miss anything that could delay the process.
I'm currently dealing with a similar FICA withholding issue on my F1 OPT! My employer has been taking out FICA taxes for 6 months now, and I just discovered this shouldn't be happening. Reading through all these responses has been a huge help - it's reassuring to know so many others have successfully resolved this. I'm planning to approach my HR department first with the IRS Publication 519 documentation that several people mentioned, then file Form 843 for the refund. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone dealt with this situation where their employer initially pushes back or claims they're required to withhold FICA? My HR person seemed to think that because I'm on payroll like any other employee, the exemption doesn't apply. I want to be prepared with the right information when I follow up with them. Also, for those who used the specialized services mentioned (taxr.ai, Claimyr), did you find them worth the cost compared to handling Form 843 yourself? I'm pretty comfortable with paperwork but want to make sure I don't mess anything up that could delay my refund. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful for navigating these complex tax situations!
Welcome to the community! Your HR person's response is unfortunately very common - many employers don't understand the specific tax exemptions for international students. The key is to provide them with clear, official documentation from the IRS. When you follow up, bring printed copies of IRS Publication 519 (pages 6-7 specifically discuss the FICA exemption for F1 students) and IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) which explains employer obligations regarding non-resident alien employees. You can also reference Internal Revenue Code Section 3121(b)(19) which specifically exempts services performed by nonresident aliens temporarily in the US on F1 visas. If they continue to push back, ask them to consult with their payroll provider (like ADP) or tax advisor. Most payroll companies are familiar with this exemption once it's brought to their attention. Regarding the services mentioned - I handled Form 843 myself and found it pretty straightforward with the right documentation. The form itself is only 2 pages, and if you're comfortable with paperwork, you can definitely do it yourself and save the service fees. Just make sure to include a detailed explanation letter with your supporting documents explaining your exempt status and why the withholding was incorrect. Good luck getting this resolved!
Join the conversation
I'm having the exact same Transaction 107461598510 error since about 7am this morning! Also a PATH Act filer with EITC for my two kids and was really hoping to finally see some movement on my refund today after that long restriction wait. Yesterday I could check my transcripts fine and saw code 570 processing, but now just getting that Treasury "unrecoverable error" screen every time I try to log in. Reading through all these comments is actually such a relief - at least we know it's massive system overload from millions of us trying to check our refund status at once, not something wrong with our individual returns. The timing is so ironic though! IRS finally lifts PATH restrictions and their servers immediately crash from all the traffic 😅 I'm definitely going to set my alarm and try that 1-3am window trick that everyone's mentioning. Hopefully the servers can handle the load better during those off-peak hours. This waiting game is killing me when I'm really counting on that refund money for some overdue bills. Thanks for posting this thread - it's so comforting to know we're all dealing with this mess together!
Ugh, I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been getting that exact same Transaction 107461598510 error since around 6:30am too. Also PATH Act with EITC for my daughter and was so ready to finally check my transcript after waiting forever through those restrictions. It's actually hilarious (in a frustrating way) that the IRS lifts the PATH restrictions and then their whole system immediately crashes because we're all trying to check at once 😂 At least we know it's not our fault! Definitely going to try that 1-3am trick tonight - hopefully we can all finally get through and see what's happening with our refunds. This whole situation has me so stressed since I really need that money!
Same exact issue here! Been getting Transaction 107461598510 error since around 6am this morning. I'm also a PATH Act filer with EITC for my two dependents and was able to access my transcripts perfectly fine yesterday - even saw my return processing with code 570. Now I can't get past that Treasury "unrecoverable error" screen no matter what I try! It's actually really reassuring reading through everyone's comments and realizing this is just massive system overload from all of us PATH Act filers rushing to check our refund status now that restrictions finally lifted. The irony is pretty hilarious though - IRS lifts the PATH restrictions and their servers immediately crash from millions of us trying to access at once 😅 I'm expecting around $6,800 between my regular refund and EITC, so I'm definitely anxious to see if there's been any movement. Going to try that 1-3am window trick that several people mentioned - hopefully the servers can handle the load better during those off-peak hours. Thanks for posting this thread, it's such a relief to know we're all dealing with this mess together!
Join the conversation
Curious about the property services side - are there any Section 179 deduction implications when using YouTube earnings to purchase equipment for an unrelated business? I'm in a similar situation where one business is funding equipment purchases for another.
This is actually an interesting tax planning opportunity. Since all the LLCs are disregarded entities flowing to the same partnership tax return, Section 179 deductions can be taken regardless of which LLC purchased the equipment. The limit applies to the taxpayer (the partnership), not each individual LLC. So if the property services LLC buys equipment using funds transferred from YouTube earnings, the partnership can take the Section 179 deduction against all business income, including YouTube revenue. Just make sure to document that the equipment is actually used for business purposes in the property services operation.
This is a great discussion on multi-entity structures! One thing I'd add from my experience with similar setups is the importance of maintaining arm's length transactions between your LLCs. Even though they're all disregarded entities for tax purposes, you still want to document that any services or fund transfers between entities are at fair market rates. For example, if your holding company is providing management services to the YouTube LLC, document what those services are and that any management fees charged are reasonable compared to what you'd pay an outside company. Same goes for any loans between entities - use proper loan documents with market interest rates. Also, since you mentioned substantial income ($175k), consider whether making an S-Corp election for any of these entities might save on self-employment taxes. With that level of income, the salary vs. distribution optimization could be significant, but you'd need to weigh that against the added complexity of payroll compliance. The key is having a legitimate business purpose for your structure beyond just tax planning. Sounds like you do with the different industries, but make sure that's well-documented in your operating agreements and business records.
Really appreciate this detailed breakdown! The arm's length transaction point is something I hadn't fully considered. Since I'm essentially moving money between my own entities, it's easy to forget that the IRS still wants to see market-rate documentation. Quick question on the S-Corp election - if I elect S-Corp status for just the holding company, would that create complications since the YouTube and PropertyServices LLCs are disregarded entities owned by it? Or would I need to make the election for all entities to keep things clean? With $175k in income, the self-employment tax savings could definitely be worth the payroll complexity.
Join the conversation
This is such a timely discussion! I've been using TurboTax online for the past few years without really thinking about the security implications. After reading through all these insights, I'm seriously considering switching to desktop software for next year's filing. The point about data persistence vs. temporary transmission really resonates with me. I had no idea that desktop software only sends data temporarily during e-filing while online versions keep everything stored on their servers. That's a significant difference I never considered. I'm also intrigued by some of the tools mentioned here like taxr.ai for analyzing security practices. Has anyone else tried similar services to evaluate their tax software's security? I'd love to hear more experiences before making the switch. One question for the cybersecurity expert who commented - do you think the security landscape for tax software will change significantly in the coming years, or are we likely to see the same basic tradeoffs between convenience and data control?
I'm glad this discussion is helping people think more critically about their tax software choices! As someone new to this community, I've been following along and learning a lot. From what I've gathered reading through everyone's experiences, it seems like the desktop vs. online decision really comes down to your personal risk tolerance and technical comfort level. The cybersecurity expert's point about professional security teams managing online platforms vs. individual computer security is particularly interesting - I hadn't considered that my own computer might actually be the weak link. I'm curious about something though - for those who've switched from online to desktop (or vice versa), was the transition difficult? I'm thinking about making a change but wondering about things like importing previous year data or learning a new interface. Any insights would be appreciated! Also, has anyone looked into whether there are any IRS resources that explain the security requirements for authorized e-file providers? It might be helpful to understand the baseline standards all these companies have to meet.
Great question about the transition experience! I actually made the switch from TurboTax Online to their desktop version two years ago after a friend's account got compromised (not through a breach, but because they reused passwords). The transition was surprisingly smooth. Most desktop software can import your prior year data even if it was filed online - you just need to download a copy of your previous return from the online platform first. The interfaces are usually very similar since companies want to maintain consistency across their products. For IRS security requirements, you can find information about their "Authorized e-file Provider" standards on the IRS website under Publication 3112. It outlines the minimum security and operational requirements that all e-file providers must meet, including encryption standards, data protection protocols, and audit requirements. One thing I didn't expect was that desktop software actually feels more secure psychologically - there's something reassuring about having your tax files locally and only connecting when you're ready to file. Though as the cybersecurity expert pointed out, that might just be a false sense of security if your personal computer isn't well-protected! The main downside I've found is that you lose some of the automatic syncing features with bank accounts and previous year imports that online versions offer, but for me the trade-off in data control is worth it.
Thanks for sharing your transition experience! That's really helpful to know that the switch can be smooth. I'm particularly interested in your point about Publication 3112 - I had no idea the IRS published their security requirements for e-file providers. That seems like essential reading for anyone trying to make an informed decision about tax software. The psychological aspect you mentioned is interesting too. I think there's definitely something to be said for feeling like you have more control over your data, even if the actual security difference might be more nuanced than it appears. One follow-up question - when you import prior year data from online to desktop, does that process involve uploading your information to their servers again temporarily? I'm trying to understand if there are any points where desktop users might inadvertently expose their data to the same risks as online users during the setup process. Also, for anyone else reading this who's made similar switches - did you notice any differences in customer support quality between the online and desktop versions of the same software?
Zara Ahmed
This is a really helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation with a timeshare my parents left me in Hilton Head. I only rented it for 8 days last year but I'm worried because I already filed my taxes and reported the full rental income without knowing about the Augusta rule. Is it worth filing an amended return to claim this exclusion? The rental income was only about $2,100, so I'm not sure if the hassle and potential audit risk is worth it for the tax savings. Has anyone here had experience with amending returns specifically for Augusta rule exclusions? Also, for future reference, is there any benefit to intentionally keeping rentals under 14 days versus just reporting the income and taking deductions? It seems like with timeshare maintenance fees being so high, the deductions might actually save more than the exclusion in some cases.
0 coins
TillyCombatwarrior
•Great questions! For your 2023 situation with the $2,100 rental income, filing an amended return (Form 1040X) could definitely be worth it depending on your tax bracket. If you're in the 22% bracket, you'd save around $460 in federal taxes - probably worth the effort for most people. The amended return process for Augusta rule exclusions is pretty straightforward and shouldn't increase audit risk since you're actually reducing your reported income with proper documentation. Regarding your future strategy question, you're absolutely right to think about this! With timeshare maintenance fees often running $1,000-$2,000+ annually, the math can definitely favor reporting income and taking deductions instead of using Augusta rule exclusion. Here's a quick way to think about it: If your timeshare maintenance fees are $1,500/year and you rent 10 days out of 365, you could potentially deduct about $41 in maintenance fees ($1,500 × 10/365). Add other potential deductions like management fees, advertising, etc. and you might come out ahead by reporting the income and claiming expenses, especially if you're in a lower tax bracket. I'd recommend calculating both scenarios each year to see which gives you the better tax outcome!
0 coins
Layla Sanders
This is such a helpful discussion! I'm a CPA and see this confusion about timeshares and the Augusta rule come up frequently with clients. You're absolutely correct that your inherited timeshare qualifies - the IRS treats timeshares the same as any other dwelling unit for Section 280A(g) purposes. One additional point worth mentioning: since you inherited the timeshare, make sure you have documentation of its fair market value at the date of your grandmother's death. This becomes your new tax basis and could be important for future tax planning, especially if you decide to sell or convert it to more extensive rental use later. The advice about reporting the 1099 income on Schedule E and then excluding it is spot-on. I always recommend my clients do this to avoid any IRS matching issues. Also consider adding a brief statement like "Rental income excluded per IRC 280A(g) - dwelling unit rented less than 15 days" in the additional information section. Your situation is a textbook Augusta rule case, and with only 10 rental days, you have plenty of cushion under the 14-day limit. Just keep good records of the exact rental dates in case of future questions!
0 coins
Carmen Lopez
•Thank you so much for the professional perspective! As someone new to inheriting property, I really appreciate the CPA insight. The point about documenting the fair market value at the date of death is something I hadn't even considered - that could definitely be important down the road. I'm curious about the statement you mentioned adding to the additional information section. Is that something the IRS specifically looks for, or just a best practice to make the return clearer? I want to make sure I'm being as transparent as possible about using the Augusta rule exclusion, especially since this is my first time dealing with rental income from an inherited timeshare. Also, when you mention "converting it to more extensive rental use," what would be the tax implications if we decided to rent it out for more than 14 days in future years? Would we lose any benefits from having used the Augusta rule in previous years?
0 coins