Pro tip: call early in the morning right when they open. You'll have a better chance of getting through quickly.

Dylan, I've been through this exact same situation! Here's what worked for me: First, make sure you're calling from a strong signal area - I actually drove to a different location after my first dropped call. Second, have everything organized in front of you before dialing: your Social Security card, driver's license, last year's tax return, and any IRS correspondence. Third, when you do get through, immediately ask the agent for a direct callback number in case you get disconnected - they can usually provide one. The whole process took about 45 minutes for me, but it was worth it to finally get everything sorted. The agents are actually pretty helpful once you reach them. Good luck! 🤞

Have you considered bankruptcy? I was drowning in tax debt and finally filed for Chapter 7. It's not widely known, but certain income tax debts CAN be discharged in bankruptcy if they meet specific criteria: - The taxes are income taxes - You didn't commit fraud or willful evasion - The debt is at least 3 years old from the date it was due - You filed the tax return at least 2 years before filing bankruptcy - The IRS assessed the tax at least 240 days before filing bankruptcy It saved me from a similar situation. Might be worth consulting with a bankruptcy attorney for a free consultation.

I really feel for you - that level of tax debt is terrifying, but you're not alone and there ARE solutions. The anxiety and panic attacks are completely understandable, but taking action will help you feel more in control. A few important points based on what others have shared: 1. **Act NOW** - The IRS is actually more willing to work with people who are proactive rather than those who hide. Every day you wait, interest and penalties keep adding up. 2. **You likely qualify for Currently Not Collectible status** given your income level. This would temporarily stop all collection actions while you're in financial hardship. 3. **Document everything** - Start gathering your financial records (income, expenses, assets, debts). You'll need this for any payment plan or settlement option. 4. **Consider the Taxpayer Advocate Service** - This is a free IRS service specifically designed to help taxpayers in difficult situations. They can be your advocate within the IRS system. As a delivery driver making $3,200/month, you're likely judgment-proof for most collection actions anyway. The IRS can't take your primary vehicle if you need it for work, and they can't garnish wages below certain thresholds. Don't let the fear paralyze you. The IRS deals with situations like yours every single day. Take it one step at a time, and remember - this problem has solutions.

Is it normal for the HSA provider to send corrected forms later? I got one 5498-SA in April and another one in June last year. So confusing!

This is such a common source of confusion! I went through the exact same panic when I received my 5498-SA form in late April last year. The empty Box 5 had me convinced something was wrong with my account. What really helped me understand was realizing that the 5498-SA is essentially a "receipt" that the IRS requires your HSA provider to send, confirming the contributions you made during the tax year. Since you've already filed and claimed your HSA deductions, this form is just documentation that backs up what you already reported. The timing makes sense once you know that HSA providers get an extra month and a half (until May 31st) to send these forms compared to other tax documents. It's designed this way because the IRS knows people need to file their taxes before receiving this particular form. Just double-check that the contribution amounts in Boxes 1-3 match what you claimed on your tax return. If they do, you're all set and can file the form away for your records!

Anyone else notice how the IRS says your 1120-S was "two months late" when it was actually one month and a few days? They count partial months as full months for penalty calculations. So even if you're just ONE DAY late into a new month, they charge you for that entire month. Totally frustrating but that's how they calculate it.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! Filed my 1120-S on April 15th thinking I was on time, then got slapped with a $480 penalty notice. The March 15th deadline for S-Corps really catches people off guard. I called the IRS and asked specifically for "First-Time Penalty Abatement" (as others mentioned, you HAVE to use those exact words). The agent reviewed my filing history, confirmed I'd been compliant for the past 3 years, and approved the abatement on the spot. No forms to fill out, no documentation needed beyond my EIN and the penalty notice number. The whole call took about 25 minutes including hold time, and I got the confirmation letter 2 weeks later showing $0 balance. Definitely worth making the call before just paying it - the IRS is surprisingly reasonable about genuine first-time mistakes when you have a clean compliance history.

About your spouse question - I went through this exact situation. Hid 4 years of unfiled taxes from my husband. When I finally broke down and told him, he was upset, but mostly because I didn't trust him enough to tell him sooner so we could tackle it together. We're still married 7 years later. The trust took time to rebuild, but being upfront about the problem and having a plan to fix it went a long way. What damaged our relationship wasn't the tax debt - it was the secrecy. My advice: Tell your wife before the passport issue forces your hand. Come with some research done and maybe even an appointment already scheduled with a tax professional. Show her you're taking responsibility and have a plan.

One important thing nobody's mentioned: if you've been filing extensions, the statute of limitations on assessment hasn't started running. The IRS generally has 3 years from the date you file a return to assess additional tax. Since you haven't filed, that clock hasn't started. But here's the good news - the IRS typically only looks back 6 years for unfiled returns unless they suspect fraud. If you voluntarily come forward and file your back returns before they contact you, you're in a much better position than if they find you first. Also, self-employed people often overestimate what they'll owe because they forget about all the legitimate business deductions they qualify for. A good tax pro might find you qualify for things like home office deduction, health insurance deduction, SEP IRA contributions, business mileage, etc.