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 through this exact situation multiple times and here's what I've learned: e-filed returns usually show up in transcripts within 2-3 weeks, but there are a few factors that can affect timing. If you have any errors or the IRS needs to verify information, it can take longer. Also, peak filing season (Jan-April) tends to have slower processing times due to volume. One thing that helped me was setting up IRS account notifications - they'll email you when new documents are available instead of you having to keep checking manually. Just be patient, it'll show up!
This is super helpful! I didn't know about the IRS account notifications - that sounds way better than obsessively checking the site. Do you know if those email alerts work reliably? Sometimes government systems can be hit or miss with notifications.
The timeline really depends on your specific situation. Generally 2-3 weeks for e-filed returns, but I've noticed it can be faster if you filed simple returns (just W-2s, no complex deductions). If you have any amended returns, business income, or certain credits, it might take the full 3-4 weeks. Also worth noting that transcripts sometimes appear before your refund status updates on WMR, so don't panic if one shows up before the other. The IRS processes different parts of your return at different speeds.
This is really good info! I had no idea that transcripts could show up before WMR updates - that's actually pretty encouraging since I keep checking WMR and getting frustrated. My return is pretty straightforward (just W-2 and standard deduction) so hopefully I'm on the faster end of that timeline. Thanks for breaking down the different factors that affect processing speed!
Join the conversation
Don't forget to consider your tax situation too! Since you're contributing to a traditional 401k (I assume), those contributions will reduce your taxable income for this year. If you're in a higher tax bracket this year due to your full-time job earlier in the year + retirement payouts, it might be more beneficial to contribute now rather than waiting until next year when your income might be lower.
That's a great point I hadn't considered! My income is definitely higher this year because I was working full-time for half the year plus got those leave payouts. Next year I'll only have this part-time income which will be much lower. So it probably makes more sense tax-wise to put money in now?
Exactly! Contributing to your 401k now will lower your taxable income for this year, when you're likely in a higher tax bracket. For example, if you're in the 24% bracket this year but might drop to the 12% bracket next year with only part-time income, every dollar you contribute now saves you 24 cents in taxes versus 12 cents next year. It's basically an extra 12% return on your money just from the tax advantage, on top of the employer match. Definitely take advantage of that while you can!
This is such a common confusion for people transitioning from government jobs! I went through the same thing when I retired from my federal position. The key thing to remember is that 457b plans are unique in that they have completely separate contribution limits from 401k/403b plans. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - since you're only working part-time now, make sure your new employer allows you to contribute a high enough percentage to actually reach those limits. Some payroll systems have maximum percentage caps that might prevent you from contributing as much as you want with a smaller paycheck. Also, don't forget that your 457b might still be available for contributions if your former employer allows it (some do for a period after separation). But honestly, with the employer match available in your new 401k, definitely prioritize that first - it's free money that you can't get anywhere else!
Join the conversation
Has anyone tried using the IRS Modernized e-File (MeF) system through a tax software like ProSeries or Lacerte? You can usually e-file business extensions through them if you already subscribe for other business tax prep.
We use ProSeries at our office and yes, you can e-file Form 7004 through it. But that's not really helpful for someone who doesn't already have a professional tax software subscription - those programs cost hundreds or thousands of dollars annually.
I'm in a similar situation with my LLC extension and found that while the IRS doesn't offer free direct e-filing for business forms like 7004, there are a few workarounds worth considering. One option is to check if your state has any partnerships with e-file providers that might offer discounted rates for extensions. Some states negotiate bulk pricing that gets passed on to taxpayers. Also, if you're comfortable with paper filing as AstroAce mentioned, you can actually track your mailed return through the IRS website using their "Where's My Amended Return?" tool (though it takes a few weeks to show up in their system). It's not as immediate as e-filing confirmation, but it does give you eventual verification that they received and processed your extension. For what it's worth, I ended up biting the bullet and paying the $35 fee last year because the peace of mind from instant confirmation was worth it to me, especially since missing the extension deadline would have cost way more in penalties.
That's a great point about checking with your state for discounted e-file options! I hadn't thought of that angle. Do you happen to know which states typically offer these partnerships? Also, I'm curious about the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool you mentioned - does that actually work for Form 7004 extensions or just amended returns? The name suggests it's only for amendments, but if it tracks extensions too, that would be really helpful to know for future reference. You're absolutely right about the peace of mind factor. Missing the extension deadline would definitely cost way more than $35 in penalties and interest.
Join the conversation
Has anyone here had the IRS actually question them about GoFundMe money? I received about $12,000 last year for medical expenses and didn't report it as income, but now I'm second-guessing myself after reading this thread...
You should be fine. I work with tax clients (not a CPA but in a tax office) and the IRS generally doesn't question GoFundMe for personal needs like medical expenses. They understand these are gifts. Now if you were selling products or services through GoFundMe, that would be different.
Great question, Sofía! You're handling this situation really thoughtfully by planning to redirect the excess funds as you originally promised. From a tax perspective, you're correct that the donations you received are generally considered gifts to you (not taxable income), and when you donate to other campaigns, you'll be making gifts to those recipients. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure to keep detailed records not just of the outgoing donations, but also screenshots of your original campaign description where you stated your intention to help other families with any excess funds. This documentation shows your intent was never to personally benefit from the extra money, which could be helpful if any questions ever arise. Also, since you mentioned the amounts would be substantial ($3,000-$5,000 per family), you might want to spread these donations across different tax years if it makes sense timing-wise. While you're well under the $19,000 annual gift limit per recipient, spreading them out can help with your own record-keeping and budgeting. You're doing something really generous here - best of luck with helping those other families!
Jamal Wilson
13 I'm probably in the minority, but I actually enjoyed reading IRS Publication 17 (the main tax guide for individuals). It's free on the IRS website and covers pretty much everything. Yes, it's dry, but if you're the type who likes to understand the actual rules rather than simplified versions, it's worth checking out.
0 coins
Jamal Wilson
•20 You enjoyed reading IRS publications??? Are you also the type who reads dictionaries for fun? 😂
0 coins
Sofia Morales
This is such a great thread! I'm actually in a similar situation - my curiosity got the better of me and I've been diving into tax education lately. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is the AARP Tax-Aide program materials. Even if you're not eligible for their free tax prep services, their volunteer training materials are publicly available and really well-organized. They break down complex topics into digestible chunks. Also, if you're looking for something more interactive, TurboTax has a "Tax Knowledge Center" with articles and calculators that let you play around with different scenarios without having to sign up for their paid services. It's helpful for understanding how different life changes affect your taxes. The IRS also has a YouTube channel (who knew?) with some surprisingly helpful videos on specific topics like retirement account contributions and small business deductions. Not as polished as some of the independent creators, but the information is straight from the source. Thanks for asking this question - I'm bookmarking several of these recommendations for myself!
0 coins