Another option if you filed with a tax preparer: call them! I lost all my docs in a computer crash and my accountant had copies of everything going back 7 years. Most preparers keep records for at least 3-5 years by law.

Just to add a timeline perspective - I requested transcripts by mail using Form 4506-T and it took exactly 12 days to arrive. Online was instant but I needed the mailed copy for some reason I cant remember. Just FYI if ur on a deadline!

Pro tip: If you're calling about an extension, make sure you're using the right number. The IRS has different lines for different issues.

I've dealt with this exact same issue! What worked for me was using a landline instead of a cell phone - the connection seemed more stable. Also, make sure you're not on speakerphone or using Bluetooth headphones, as those can cause connection issues. Another trick is to press a random number key every few minutes during the hold time to keep the line "active" - sometimes the system drops calls it thinks are inactive. Hope this helps and you can finally get through! 🤞

I feel your pain! I was stuck in the exact same loop for almost 2 months earlier this year. What finally worked for me was a combination of persistence and timing. Here's my strategy: 1. Call at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern (as others mentioned) but also try calling again at 12:01 PM - sometimes there's a brief window when agents come back from lunch 2. When you get the automated system, try saying "identity verification" clearly instead of just pressing numbers - the voice recognition sometimes routes you differently 3. If you get the "too busy" message, hang up and call back immediately 3-4 times in a row. I noticed patterns where every 4th-5th call would sometimes get through 4. Keep a log of your attempts - date, time, how long you waited. After 15+ documented attempts, you can reference this if you escalate The whole system is absolutely broken and designed to wear people down, but your refund is YOUR money. Don't give up! It took me 31 attempts over 6 days, but once I got through, the actual verification took less than 10 minutes and my refund was processed within a week. You've got this - just keep pushing through the broken system!

I've been dealing with the same identity verification nightmare! After reading through all these suggestions, I'm definitely going to try the 7am calling strategy and the congressional representative route. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get our own money back. Has anyone tried combining multiple approaches? Like calling your representative AND using one of those callback services? I'm wondering if having multiple irons in the fire might speed things up. At this point I'm willing to try anything - I've been waiting on my refund since April and it's now almost August. The IRS system is completely broken and they know it. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips. At least we're not suffering alone in this bureaucratic hell!

Has anyone actually used a tax preparer who specializes in the Treaty of Amity specifically? H&R Block and TurboTax were clueless when I mentioned it.

One thing that's been really helpful for me as someone who went through this exact process is keeping detailed records from day one. The IRS can be very particular about documentation when it comes to Treaty of Amity businesses. Make sure you keep copies of all your Treaty of Amity registration documents, business licenses, and any correspondence with Thai authorities. You'll need these to support your tax filings, especially if you ever get audited. Also, consider setting up separate bank accounts for business and personal use in Thailand. This makes it much easier to track business expenses and income for US tax reporting purposes. The IRS likes to see clear separation between personal and business finances, especially for foreign operations. One last tip - start filing your US returns early each year. International forms like 5471 and 8938 can be complex, and you don't want to rush through them near the deadline. I learned this the hard way my first year!

Did anyone consider that maybe the IRS calculator is including self-employment tax? If any of that $58,000 is from self-employment, you'd owe an additional 15.3% on that portion for Social Security and Medicare taxes. That could make a HUGE difference in the final number.

This is such a common source of confusion! I went through the exact same thing when I first started doing my own taxes. The key thing that helped me understand the discrepancy was realizing that the IRS online calculators often include assumptions about your filing status, deductions, and credits that you might not be accounting for in your manual calculations. A few things to double-check: 1. Are you using the correct tax year's brackets and standard deduction amounts? 2. Do you have any pre-tax deductions from your paycheck (like health insurance, 401k contributions, HSA contributions) that reduce your taxable income before the standard deduction is even applied? 3. Are you eligible for any tax credits that the calculator might be automatically including? Also, if you're getting a W-2, your employer has already been withholding taxes throughout the year based on your filing status and allowances, so your actual tax owed might be different from what you calculate as your total tax liability. The IRS calculator might be showing you what you still owe or your refund amount rather than your total tax. Try using the IRS's Interactive Tax Assistant tool - it walks you through step by step and explains each calculation, which might help you identify where the discrepancy is coming from.