I went through this last month and was fed up with waiting. Used taxr.ai to look at my transcript and figure out exactly what was happening. It showed me that my return was on hold with a specific verification code and explained what I needed to do. Helped me understand where things were stuck and gave me a game plan. Seriously a lifesaver when dealing with the black hole that is the IRS. https://taxr.ai

I'm dealing with the same frustrating situation! Filed in March and still waiting for my identity verification letter. The whole system seems completely broken. What's really bothering me is that they can flag our returns instantly for verification but then take months to send the letter we need to actually verify. Has anyone had luck with the in-person visits to IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers? I'm wondering if showing up with ID documents might be faster than waiting for this letter that may never come. My local office is about an hour away but at this point I'm desperate enough to make the drive. Also seeing some people mention these third-party services - are they legit or just taking advantage of people's desperation? The IRS process is so opaque that it's hard to know what's actually helpful vs what's just a money grab.

I just went through this exact situation last year. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. File the 1120-S for your S-Corp (due March 15) 2. Report the expenses as business losses 3. Those losses will flow through to your personal return via K-1 4. For affordable filing, check out TaxHawk - I paid about $45 for my S-Corp return One other thing to consider - since you never actually did business, you might want to formally dissolve the S-Corp to avoid ongoing filing requirements and fees in future years. Otherwise, you'll need to file annual reports with your state and tax returns every year even if the business remains dormant.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Started an LLC in late 2024 for what I thought would be a lucrative consulting opportunity, spent around $2,800 on setup costs, professional development, and travel to meet potential clients. Then the whole thing fell through when the client's budget got cut. One thing I learned that might help you - make sure you're documenting the business purpose for all those expenses, especially the travel. The IRS wants to see that you had a genuine profit motive, not just wishful thinking. Keep emails from the client, meeting notes, anything that shows you were pursuing legitimate business opportunities. Also, definitely don't skip filing just because you didn't make money. Those losses can actually be really valuable for reducing your overall tax burden. I know the business tax software is expensive, but think of it as an investment that could save you hundreds or even thousands on your tax bill through those loss deductions. Have you considered whether you want to keep the S-Corp active for next year, or would it make more sense to dissolve it if the business opportunities don't materialize?

The IRS Authentication Protocol for in-person verification requires biographic verification (your ID) and residential verification (proof of address). The standard procedure allows for documentation discrepancies if you can provide supplementary evidence. A utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement with your current address should suffice as secondary verification. The verification threshold is typically met with two concordant documents, even if your primary ID shows a different address.

I went through this exact situation in January 2024! My driver's license showed my old college address but I filed my return with my current work address. The verification agent was completely understanding - they see this all the time, especially with young professionals who move frequently. I brought my lease agreement, two utility bills, and a bank statement all showing my current address. The agent barely blinked at the mismatch and said "happens every day." The whole appointment took maybe 20 minutes. One tip: organize your documents beforehand in a folder - it shows you're prepared and makes the process smoother. Don't stress about this, you'll be fine!

Has anyone had luck with state efiling for prior years? I know the IRS doesn't allow it, but I'm wondering if some states might have different rules? I'm in California if that matters.

I went through this exact same situation last year! Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, you really can't efile prior year returns through any service - it's just not allowed by the IRS regardless of who prepares them. What I ended up doing was printing my completed TurboTax returns and sending them via USPS Priority Mail with tracking. It actually wasn't as slow as I expected - my returns were processed within about 6-8 weeks, which is pretty standard for paper filing. One tip that helped me: I called the IRS processing center for my area about 3 weeks after mailing to confirm they received my returns. You can find the right number on the IRS website based on where you're mailing your returns. It gave me peace of mind knowing they actually got them and were in the system. The certified mail route that Connor mentioned is also a good option if you want extra proof of delivery, though it does cost a bit more than regular Priority Mail.

Just to add something important here - there's a statute of limitations on amended tax returns. You can generally only go back 3 years from the original filing due date to file an amendment and claim a refund. So if you filed your 2022 taxes on April 15, 2023, you have until April 15, 2026, to file an amended return for 2022. For 2023 taxes, you'd have until April 15, 2027. Don't wait too long to address this or you could lose your chance to recover the overpaid taxes from earlier years!

Wow, reading through all these responses makes me realize I'm not alone in this! As someone who works in employee benefits administration, I can confirm that this domestic partner vs. spouse classification mix-up happens WAY more often than you'd think. A few additional tips based on what I've seen work: 1) When you approach HR, come prepared with documentation - marriage certificate, copies of your paystubs showing the imputed income, and ideally a calculation of how much this has cost you. Being organized makes them take it more seriously. 2) If your initial HR contact says "nothing can be done," ask to escalate to the benefits director or payroll manager. The front-line benefits person might not have authority or knowledge to make retroactive corrections. 3) Some companies have a formal "benefits error correction" process that allows for retroactive fixes. Ask specifically if this exists at your company. 4) Document everything in writing - send follow-up emails after verbal conversations summarizing what was discussed and agreed upon. The key thing to remember is that this IS fixable in most cases. Your employer has been incorrectly reporting your tax situation, and they generally want to correct legitimate errors like this to avoid potential issues with the IRS down the road. Don't give up if the first person you talk to says no!