check your email spam folder. sometimes they send verification letters that get filtered out

This happened to me too - blank transcripts for almost a month after filing! Turns out the IRS was doing additional processing because I had claimed some education credits. Eventually everything showed up and I got my refund. In the meantime, you can check your "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov which sometimes updates before transcripts do. Also make sure you're looking at the right tax year transcript (2024 for returns filed this year). Hang in there!

Great thread everyone! As someone who works in tax prep, I wanted to add a few practical tips for newly married couples: 1. **Timing matters** - If you got married late in the year (like November/December), your withholding for that year might already be mostly locked in. You'll want to be extra careful about 2025 planning. 2. **State taxes too** - Don't forget that some states have different rules for married couples. If you live in a state with income tax, make sure your state withholding is also adjusted accordingly. 3. **Quarterly check-ins** - I always tell my clients to review their withholding after each quarter, especially in their first year of marriage. Look at your paystubs and estimate where you'll land for the year. It's much easier to make small adjustments than to get hit with a big surprise in April. 4. **The "marriage penalty"** - For couples with similar incomes like yours ($62k and $58k), you might actually benefit slightly from being married (marriage bonus), but the withholding tables don't always account for this perfectly. The IRS estimator is definitely your best bet, but if the tech solutions others mentioned work for you, that's great too. Just make sure whatever method you use accounts for ALL your deductions - 401k, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, etc.

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to make sure you both update your W-4s at roughly the same time. My spouse updated theirs first in January, but I didn't get around to mine until March. During those two months, our withholding was completely out of whack because only one of us was using the married filing jointly rate while the other was still on single. It created this weird period where we were under-withholding significantly. Also, if either of you gets a raise or bonus during the year, revisit your W-4s immediately. We learned this the hard way when my husband got a promotion in August and suddenly our carefully calculated withholding was off again. The checkbox method in Step 2(c) really is the easiest for most people in your situation. Don't overthink it - you can always adjust if your first few paystubs show you're way off track. Better to start somewhere reasonable than to get paralyzed trying to get it perfect from day one!

Anyone else notice that sometimes the pre-filled forms from accountants have calculation errors? I almost filed with a mistake last year that would have cost me $800. Make sure you double-check all the numbers before submitting!!!

Just want to add another perspective here - if your accountant used professional tax software to prepare your forms, you might be able to ask them for the electronic file (.tax file or similar) that you could then import into compatible software for e-filing. This would save you from manually re-entering all the data and reduce the chance of transcription errors. Also, before you submit anything, I'd strongly recommend calling the IRS practitioner priority line if your accountant gave you a power of attorney form. Even though they can't file for you due to their emergency, you might still be able to get priority phone support to verify everything looks correct. The number is different from the regular taxpayer line and typically has much shorter wait times. One last tip - if you do end up mailing paper forms, send them certified mail with return receipt. It costs a few extra dollars but gives you proof of delivery and timing, which can be crucial if there are any processing delays or questions later.

I would strongly recommend documenting everything right away while it's fresh in your mind. Write down exactly what the preparer told you verbally about your return, fees, and the advance loan. Note dates when you requested documents and when you received them. Take pictures of any paperwork you have, even handwritten notes. I learned from my own experience that these small details can make a huge difference when building your case. Also, check your bank statements for the exact amount of the advance deposit. The electronic trail of deposits will be important evidence showing exactly how much you received versus what was issued.

This is absolutely infuriating and I'm so sorry you're going through this. What you've described is textbook tax preparer fraud and theft. Beyond the excellent advice already given about IRS forms and reporting, I'd also suggest checking if your state has a Consumer Protection Division or Attorney General's office that handles financial fraud cases. Many states have specific programs for tax preparer fraud that can work alongside federal investigations. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau if the preparer's business is listed there. While it won't get your money back directly, it creates another paper trail and warns future potential victims. Also, if you paid the preparer with a credit card, contact your card company immediately to dispute the charges. Explain that you were charged for services not rendered (since he inflated your income without authorization and kept money that should have gone to you). Credit card companies often have stronger fraud protections than other payment methods. Document absolutely everything - take photos of all paperwork, save text messages, and write down every conversation you remember having with this person. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be across all the agencies you'll be reporting to. You're doing the right thing by pursuing this aggressively. This preparer is likely doing this to other clients too, so your actions could help protect others from the same scam.

word of advice: DONT CALL!! been on hold for 3 hours today and got hung up on twice. just do the online thing

I just went through this process last month! The online verification at idverify.irs.gov is definitely the way to go - took me about 20 minutes total. You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and either your prior year tax return OR a bank statement/utility bill. They ask you some questions about your credit history too. After I verified, I got my refund in about 5 weeks, which was faster than I expected. Pro tip: do it during off-peak hours if possible to avoid the site being slow!