One other thing to consider - if this tax preparer is still advertising herself as a CPA, you should absolutely file a complaint with your state's board of accountancy. What she's done is highly unethical and potentially illegal. Not filing returns she claimed to file and then withholding documents are serious violations of professional standards.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation on top of losing both parents. What that tax preparer did is absolutely unacceptable. In addition to all the excellent advice about getting transcripts and contacting financial institutions directly, I'd also suggest checking if your parents had any retirement accounts (401k, IRA, etc.) that might have required minimum distributions in 2020. The account custodians can provide 1099-R forms showing these distributions, which are often overlooked but crucial for tax filing. Also, don't forget about state tax obligations - you'll likely need to file state returns too. Most states have their own transcript request processes, though they're often easier to navigate than the IRS. One last tip: if you discover significant tax liabilities, you may want to consult with a tax attorney about whether filing Form 706 (estate tax return) is necessary. The estate might be responsible for the tax debt, but there are protections and procedures for executors that you should understand before proceeding. Hang in there - you're doing everything right by being so persistent in trying to resolve this properly.

bruh the IRS be playing games fr. they take our money instantly but make us wait forever to get it back 💀

Been through this exact same situation! The 11/08 date is definitely when they mail it out, not when you'll receive it. I'd expect it to arrive anywhere between 11/13-11/17 depending on your location. Also keep in mind that if there are any postal holidays during that time it might add an extra day or two. The wait is brutal but you're almost there!

All these codes are confusing af but 806 is actually one of the good ones. Shows your withholding credit from your job. Dont stress about this one fam

Code 806 is definitely nothing to worry about! It's actually a positive thing on your transcript - it represents the federal income tax that was withheld from your paychecks throughout the year. Basically, it's the IRS acknowledging that your employer already sent them money on your behalf. You should see this amount match what's in Box 2 (Federal income tax withheld) on your W-2. So yeah, it's good news - means you've been paying your taxes all year long through payroll deduction!

the irs website is literally the most confusing thing ever invented istg

Code 806 is definitely a good sign! It means the IRS has your withholding info from your W-2s. I was in the same boat last year - first time checking transcripts and felt like I needed a decoder ring 😅 The key is looking at all your codes together, not just individual ones. 806 by itself just shows your tax withholdings, but you'll want to look for things like 150 (tax return filed) and 846 (refund issued) to get the full picture of where your refund stands.

Just be careful when comparing transcript codes between years. I once noticed my 806 amount was significantly lower than the previous year even though I was making more money. Turned out my new employer had messed up my withholding. Unlike a regular bank statement where you can easily spot errors, these transcript codes don't exactly send up red flags when something's wrong. I had to pay a hefty sum at tax time because not enough was being withheld throughout the year. Now I always check my pay stubs against the withholding calculator in January to make sure I'm on track.

This is really helpful information, everyone! I've been stressing about understanding my transcript codes too. It sounds like the 806 code is basically confirmation that taxes were actually withheld from my paychecks throughout the year - which is reassuring to see documented. I'm curious though - if someone had multiple jobs during the year, would all the withholdings from different employers show up as one combined 806 amount, or would there be separate entries? Also, does anyone know if there's a specific date when this code typically appears on the transcript, or does it update throughout the year as withholdings happen?