Have you tried reaching META through their investor relations department? Sounds weird but it worked for me with a similar issue. They're much more responsive because they deal with actual humans and money questions. Also check your wage and income transcript from the IRS (you can get it online through their website) to see if there are any other surprise 1099s or W-2s you don't recognize. If someone has your SSN they might be using it with multiple companies.

This is such a frustrating situation, but you're getting some great advice here! I went through something similar with a different company and want to add a few things that helped me: First, when you contact META (however you manage to reach them), ask specifically for their "Tax Document Error Resolution" department. Don't let them transfer you to general customer service - be very specific about needing to correct an erroneous 1099-MISC. Second, consider filing a complaint with your state's Attorney General's office. Many AGs have consumer protection divisions that will contact companies on your behalf, especially for identity theft cases. It's free and sometimes gets faster results than individual attempts. Third, document EVERYTHING with timestamps - every phone call, email attempt, chat session, even the failed ones. The IRS wants to see you made good faith efforts to resolve this before filing. One more thing - when you do get this resolved, ask META to send you a corrected 1099-MISC showing $0 income. Don't just accept their word that they've "fixed it internally." You need paper proof for your records in case this ever comes up again in an audit. Stay strong - identity theft cases like this do get resolved, it just takes persistence and the right documentation!

I've been dealing with the IRS for 15+ years and it's always been difficult to reach them, but this year is particularly bad. Back in 2019, I could at least get through after a 45-minute wait. Now it's nearly impossible without special tactics. The phone system is deliberately designed to discourage calls - they don't have enough staff to handle the volume. Your best bet is either calling right at opening time (7am Eastern) or using one of the services others have mentioned. Just be persistent and document everything. I've learned that leaving messages in their "callback system" is basically useless - I've never once received a callback in all my years of trying.

I feel your pain! I've been battling the IRS phone system for years and it's gotten progressively worse. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: First, I tried calling exactly at 7:00 AM Eastern when they open - set multiple alarms because that first few minutes window is crucial. Second, I learned that if you get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message, don't hang up immediately. Sometimes if you wait through the entire message, it will actually put you in a queue instead of disconnecting you. Third, I started keeping a detailed log of every call attempt with timestamps - this helped me identify patterns in when I was more likely to get through. For property tax deduction questions specifically, you might also want to check if your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center offers walk-in appointments. I know it's not ideal, but sometimes face-to-face is the only way to get complex issues resolved. Hang in there - the system is broken but persistence usually pays off eventually!

Has anyone considered that Toyota might accept alternative documentation? When I worked with Nissan, they initially asked for a Form 6166, but when I explained the delay in getting one, they accepted a combination of: - Copy of my Social Security card - Passport copy - Notarized statement of US residency - Copy of most recent tax return (which in your brother's case might be the parents' return showing him as dependent) It's worth asking Toyota's contracting department if they have any alternative documentation options while the actual 6166 is being processed.

I've been through this exact scenario with my nephew last year when he got his first job after college. The key thing to understand is that being claimed as a dependent doesn't disqualify you from getting a Form 6166 - it just changes how you fill out Form 8802. When your brother completes Part II of Form 8802, he should select the box indicating he hasn't filed a U.S. tax return and then clearly explain in the attached statement that he was claimed as a dependent on your parents' returns. Include the tax years and your parents' names/SSNs where he was listed. One thing I'd add to the other advice here - make sure he includes his Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number consistently throughout all documentation. The IRS is very particular about matching identifiers. Also, given Toyota's timeline pressures, I'd strongly recommend paying for expedited processing upfront. It's worth the extra cost to avoid losing the contract opportunity. Japanese companies like Toyota are notoriously inflexible on documentation requirements, so having that Form 6166 in hand is really the only path forward.

Just a practical tip from someone who had to deal with this exact situation - if you end up having to fill out the W-8BEN-E as an individual (which is not ideal but sometimes unavoidable with PayPal), here's what worked for me: Part I: Fill out your personal information, using your name as the "organization" name Line 3: Check box for "Individual" Part III: Only complete if your country has a tax treaty with the US Parts IV-XXVIII: Leave completely blank Part XXX: Sign and date as an individual PayPal accepted this even though it's technically the wrong form. Their system is notoriously inflexible about these things.

I went through this exact same PayPal nightmare about 6 months ago! What finally worked for me was a combination of the approaches mentioned here. First, I tried the Claimyr service to get through to an actual PayPal representative - it took about 40 minutes but I finally reached someone who understood the issue. The rep explained that their system automatically flags certain accounts for W-8BEN-E based on transaction patterns, even for individuals. She walked me through two options: either convert my account type (which would take 5-7 business days and require re-verification) or complete the W-8BEN-E using the individual approach that Amelia outlined. I chose the second option since I needed my account restored quickly. Following her guidance, I filled out the form exactly as suggested - used my personal name as the organization, checked "Individual" on line 3, and left most sections blank. The key thing she emphasized was being consistent with how I originally set up my account. Form was accepted within 24 hours and my account was fully restored. Sometimes you just have to work within PayPal's flawed system rather than fight it!

Check if your CPA is trying to claim the Qualified Business Income deduction (QBI) from Section 199A. Its technically on Form 8995 or 8995-A but flows to Schedule 3. The QBI deduction can be up to 20% of qualified business income but you need to have business income to claim it. Some sketchy tax preparers try to classify W2 income as business income to claim this deduction, which is straight up wrong and will get you in trouble. If your income doubled this year to around $75k, that would explain the ~$15k deduction (20% of $75k).

This is a serious red flag situation that you need to resolve immediately before filing. A $14,999 deduction on Schedule 3, Line 8 for someone with only W2 and investment income is highly unusual and potentially fraudulent. Schedule 3, Line 8 is specifically for "Net premium tax credit" - this is related to health insurance marketplace premium tax credits. If you don't get health insurance through the marketplace or if you're not eligible for premium tax credits (which most high earners aren't), this deduction shouldn't exist at all. The fact that your CPA won't respond to emails about this is extremely concerning. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Demand the complete return with ALL schedules and forms immediately 2. Don't sign or file anything until you understand every line 3. Consider reporting this to your state's board of accountancy if the CPA continues to be unresponsive 4. Get a second opinion from another tax professional This could be anything from a data entry error to intentional fraud. Either way, you're legally responsible for everything on that return once you sign it. The IRS will come after YOU, not your CPA, if there are problems. Given that your previous preparer only had a $140 foreign tax credit on line 20, this massive jump to $14,999 without any major life changes is a huge warning sign. Trust your instincts here.