Here's what to do if your refund doesn't show up on your Serve Card: Step 1: Check your tax transcript for code 846 with your refund amount Step 2: Verify the last 4 digits of the account number on your transcript match your card Step 3: Wait until 48 hours after your DD date before taking action Step 4: Contact Jackson Hewitt customer service (1-866-697-3783) Step 5: If they confirm they haven't received it, then contact the IRS Most people in your situation see their refund within 48 hours of the DD date. It's frustrating but very common with prepaid cards.

I totally understand your frustration! I went through the exact same thing last year with my Serve Card. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you need the money for something important like your apartment deposit. From what I've experienced and seen in this community, Jackson Hewitt Serve Cards are consistently 1-2 days slower than the official DD date shown on WMR. It's not that anything is wrong - it's just how their processing system works. Since your DD date is 3/17, I'd expect to see it hit your card by 3/19 at the latest. Try not to stress too much about checking every few hours (easier said than done, I know!). If you don't see it by Thursday, then it might be worth calling their customer service line. But based on what everyone else is saying, this delay is totally normal for Serve Cards this tax season.

This is exactly why I always tell people to be extremely careful with these chain tax services. Your experience highlights several major red flags that people should watch out for. The double billing issue you experienced is unfortunately not uncommon - I've seen this happen when preparers process payments incorrectly or when there are system glitches. Always keep detailed records of all payments and check your bank statements immediately after filing. The SSN error requiring you to come back and re-sign everything is particularly concerning because it suggests either poor training or rushed work. Professional tax preparers should be double-checking this basic information before you ever leave the office. Regarding the referral bonuses, this sounds like a classic case of using promotional offers to get customers in the door without proper systems to fulfill them. The fact that corporate just referred you back to the same franchise shows they're designed to avoid accountability. For anyone still dealing with similar issues: document everything (dates, employee names, conversations), keep all paperwork, and don't be afraid to escalate to state regulatory agencies. Many states have licensing requirements for tax preparers and can investigate complaints about fraudulent practices. Your story is a perfect example of why it's worth paying a bit more for a year-round professional rather than gambling with seasonal operations that prioritize volume over quality service.

I'm sorry to hear about your terrible experience with Liberty Tax - this is unfortunately a cautionary tale that many taxpayers need to hear. The combination of double billing, incorrect data entry, delayed refunds, and unfulfilled referral bonuses shows a pattern of poor business practices that goes beyond simple mistakes. What's particularly troubling is how they handled your personal information - leaving messages about YOUR tax details on someone else's voicemail is a serious privacy breach that could have legal implications. You might want to consider filing a complaint with your state's department of consumer affairs or attorney general's office about this specific incident. The fact that this dragged on for months with the same scripted responses suggests they were hoping you'd just give up. Unfortunately, many seasonal tax preparation franchises operate with minimal oversight and rely on customers not following through on complaints. For anyone reading this who's already used Liberty Tax or similar services: check your bank statements carefully for duplicate charges, verify all personal information before signing anything, and get written confirmation of any promotional offers like referral bonuses. If something goes wrong, document everything and don't accept vague promises about "the bookkeeper will handle it." Your experience reinforces why it's often worth paying more for a reputable, year-round tax professional who has a stake in maintaining their reputation rather than just maximizing volume during tax season.

If nothing else works, you can also file Form 4852 (Substitute for W-2) with your tax return. You'll need to estimate your wages and withholding as accurately as possible using your final paystub or other records.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and it was so stressful! My old employer kept giving me the runaround too. What finally worked for me was sending them a certified letter (not just calling) stating that I needed my W-2 by a specific date and mentioning the IRS penalties for non-compliance that others have mentioned here. In the meantime, I'd definitely recommend getting your wage transcript from the IRS as your backup plan. The online account setup is really straightforward and you get the info instantly. Don't risk filing an incomplete return - it's just not worth the potential headaches later. Also, if you're really pressed for time, remember you can always file for an extension. Better to file correctly with an extension than rush and file incorrectly by the deadline. The IRS cares more about accuracy than speed.

Has anyone successfully passed an IRS audit while claiming QBI deductions on just 2-3 residential rentals? I'm in a similar situation and wondering what documentation actually satisfied the IRS. My CPA says we need detailed logs showing exactly what was done each day but that seems excessive for managing a couple properties.

This is a great question that many rental property owners face. I'd strongly recommend being conservative with the QBI deduction if you can't clearly document the 250 hours annually. A few additional points to consider: The IRS has been increasingly scrutinizing rental property QBI deductions, especially for smaller portfolios. With just 2 properties, reaching 250 hours of qualifying activities can be challenging unless your aunt and uncle are very hands-on with property management, maintenance, and tenant interactions. For documentation going forward, I'd suggest starting a contemporaneous log immediately. Include activities like property inspections, tenant communications, maintenance work, showing properties to prospective tenants, and any repair supervision. Don't try to recreate historical logs - that could backfire in an audit. If they can't meet the 250-hour safe harbor, they might still qualify under the general Section 162 "trade or business" test, but this is much more subjective and riskier. The IRS looks at factors like regularity, continuity, and whether the activity is conducted with a profit motive in a businesslike manner. Given their age and the recent change in tax preparers, it might be worth consulting with a tax professional who specializes in rental property taxation to review their specific situation. The potential tax savings need to be weighed against the audit risk and documentation burden.

Went through this exact nightmare last year! Tried to pay $4,500 through CK, got rejected THREE times, and ended up with a $67 late payment penalty because it took so long to sort out. 🤦‍♂️ The irony of getting penalized while actively trying to pay... peak IRS experience right there! Eventually called them and paid over the phone. Took 45 minutes on hold but at least it went through.

I've been using Credit Karma Tax for the past three years and can share some insights on their payment limits. In my experience, the limits are indeed account-specific and not clearly disclosed upfront, which is frustrating when you're dealing with larger payments. For your $4,000 payment, I'd strongly recommend calling Credit Karma's support line first to confirm your specific limit before attempting the transaction. They can usually tell you your exact limit without you having to risk a failed payment. If you're running short on time before the deadline, here are a few backup options: • IRS Direct Pay (no transaction limits, but there are daily limits) • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) - requires registration but handles large amounts • Traditional bank bill pay services The key is having a backup plan ready because a rejected payment this close to the deadline could definitely result in penalties, and those add up quickly. Better to spend a few extra minutes confirming the limit than dealing with late fees later!