Has anyone else noticed a huge increase in these fake tax documents this year? I've seen like 5 posts about this in various groups I'm in. Seems like there was a data breach somewhere feeding all this identity theft.

This is really concerning, and you're right to be worried about identity theft. A few things to check immediately: 1. Verify the EIN (Employer Identification Number) on the form by searching the IRS EIN database or calling them directly 2. Check if "Meridian Benefits Solutions" is a real company through independent research (not contact info on the form itself) 3. Look at the technical details - legitimate 1099-Rs have specific formatting, fonts, and security features that fakes often miss Since you mentioned working three jobs, double-check if any of them had retirement benefits that might have been automatically cashed out when you left. Sometimes small 401(k) balances get distributed automatically. If it's definitely fake, file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) with the IRS and report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. Also consider freezing your credit reports with all three bureaus as a precaution. Don't ignore this on your tax return - the IRS will have received a copy and will expect it to be addressed. If fraudulent, you'll need to attach documentation explaining why you're not reporting the income. Better to be proactive than wait for an IRS notice about the discrepancy.

Here's exactly what happens with hardship requests and how to interpret your transcript: 1. When a hardship (Form 911) is approved, the IRS flags your account with a Hardship CNC (Currently Not Collectible) status 2. This prevents automatic offsets that would normally appear as TC 898 codes 3. Your transcript will NOT show a specific "hardship approved" code - the absence of offset codes is your indicator 4. The system processes your refund normally, shown by TC 846 when issued 5. Hardship status typically lasts 6-24 months depending on your financial situation 6. The underlying debt remains but collection is paused Based on your description, your hardship was likely approved, which is why no offset codes appear.

Your situation sounds very promising! The absence of offset codes like TC 898 or TC 826 on your updated transcript is actually a really good sign, especially since you mentioned filing a hardship form. The IRS is pretty consistent about showing these codes when they plan to take your refund - if they're not there by now, they're likely not coming. I went through a similar scare two years ago and kept obsessively checking my transcript daily, but no codes ever appeared and I got my full refund. The hardship process really does work when you have legitimate financial difficulties. Keep monitoring your transcript and Where's My Refund, but honestly, I think you're in the clear!

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - be careful of predatory "tax schools" that charge a fortune and promise jobs. I fell for one that cost $2k and their "guaranteed job placement" was just referring everyone to H&R Block who would have hired us anyway with their free training.

This is such great timing for this question! I actually made the transition from retail to tax preparation about 5 years ago and it was one of the best career moves I've made. Here's my practical roadmap based on what worked for me: **Start with the basics:** Get your PTIN first (as others mentioned) - it's required and shows you're serious. Then dive into the IRS Publication 17 (Your Federal Income Tax) - it's free and comprehensive. **Timeline for getting hired:** If you start studying now, you can absolutely be ready for next tax season. Most tax prep companies start hiring in October/November for the January-April rush. Focus on individual returns first - that's 90% of what you'll see at entry-level positions. **Best bang for your buck:** The IRS Annual Filing Season Program is gold standard and FREE. Combine that with practice software (many companies will train you on their specific software anyway). **Real talk on the work:** It's seasonal and intense during tax season, but the pay is significantly better than retail. I went from $12/hour in retail to $18/hour my first tax season, and now I'm at $28/hour with my EA credential. The attention to detail and customer service skills you've developed in retail actually translate really well to tax prep. You've got this! Feel free to ask if you want more specific advice on any part of the process.

Has anyone actually had experience with the IRS coming after someone for unfiled returns when they were owed money? My cousin was in a similar situation (5 years unfiled) but never heard anything from the IRS. I always figured they only care if you owe them money???

I went through this exact situation with my own adult child two years ago - 8 years of unfiled returns! Here's what worked for us: 1. Start with the most recent 3 years FIRST (2024, 2023, 2022) since these can still get refunds. We used TurboTax's prior year versions which made it much easier. 2. Get organized - create a folder for each tax year and gather all documents systematically. The IRS wage transcripts mentioned above are a lifesaver for missing W-2s. 3. Don't try to do all years at once - we did one year per weekend to avoid burnout and mistakes. 4. The good news: since your son had taxes withheld, he likely won't face penalties and is probably owed money for those recent years. 5. For the older years beyond the refund window, we filed them all together after finishing the "money years" first. Total recovery for my child was over $7,000 from just the 3 eligible years! The peace of mind was worth even more. You're being a great parent helping him get compliant. It's overwhelming at first but very doable if you break it down year by year.

Question for anyone who's gone through this - did you use a CPA or just tax software for catching up on multiple years? I'm in a similar boat (5 unfiled years) and wondering if it's worth paying a professional or if software is good enough for straightforward W-2 income.

Miguel, I was in almost the exact same situation as you about 2 years ago - 7 unfiled years, also went through a divorce that triggered the whole mess. The good news is that since you've had taxes withheld and likely qualify for refunds, you're not going to face the scary penalties that people who owe money get hit with. Here's what worked for me: Start with the most recent 3 years FIRST since those are the only ones where you can still claim refunds. I used FreeTaxUSA for the older years since they have previous year software available for cheap (like $15 per state return). For the really old years where you've lost the refund window, you still need to file them but there's less urgency. Don't stress about hiring a tax attorney - that's overkill for your situation. A CPA could help but honestly if it's just W-2 income, you can handle this yourself. The IRS is actually pretty reasonable when you're catching up voluntarily and not hiding from them. The hardest part is just starting. Once you file that first return, the momentum builds and it gets easier. You've got this!