Maybe try reaching out to your local congressperson's office? They sometimes have ways to expedite IRS issues for constituents.

I've been dealing with similar issues! What worked for me was calling the practitioner priority line (if you have a tax pro helping you) or trying the automated callback feature - you can request a callback instead of staying on hold. Also, for transcript errors, try accessing them through different browsers or clearing your cache. Sometimes it's just a technical glitch on their website. The IRS2Go mobile app sometimes works better than the website too. Don't give up - I know it's super frustrating but you'll get through eventually!

Has anyone mentioned whether there's a timeframe for how quickly you can get information after calling the offset line? I'm wondering about: • How long the automated system takes to provide offset details • Whether they send any documentation by mail after you call • If there's a waiting period before you can dispute an offset • Whether calling multiple times might flag your account in some way

I completely understand your frustration! I was in a similar situation last year when my refund was unexpectedly offset. The Treasury Offset Program number (800-304-3107) that others mentioned is definitely the right one to call. When I called, the automated system gave me the information immediately - no waiting for mail or additional processing time. You just need your SSN to verify your identity. They'll tell you exactly which agency is claiming the debt and the amount. One tip: call early in the morning (around 8 AM) for the shortest wait times. Also, if it turns out to be a student loan offset, don't panic! There are often payment plans or hardship options available that might help you get some of your refund back. Good luck with your apartment deposit - I know how stressful this timing can be! 🤞

Just a warning from personal experience - make sure your dad doesn't give any individual gifts over the annual exclusion amount without filing the proper form (Form 709). My parent did this thinking "the IRS won't notice" and it caused a HUGE headache years later during estate settlement. The IRS absolutely does track these things and the penalties add up fast. The annual exclusion is per recipient, so he can give each family member the max amount ($17,000 for 2024), but anything over that needs proper reporting even if no tax is owed.

One thing to keep in mind is timing - if your dad is planning to give gifts in the next couple months, make sure he completes all transfers before December 31st if he wants to use the 2025 annual exclusion amounts. The annual exclusion is based on the calendar year when the gift is completed, not when it's promised or planned. Also, since he mentioned this is part of his estate planning strategy, encourage him to keep detailed records of all gifts even though no forms are required for amounts under the annual exclusion. This includes dates, amounts, recipients, and method of transfer (check numbers, wire transfer confirmations, etc.). These records will be invaluable for his estate planning and could save your family headaches down the road if the IRS ever has questions. If he's consistently doing annual gifts as part of a larger estate plan, it might also be worth having him document his gifting strategy in writing so there's a clear paper trail of his intent. This can help demonstrate to the IRS that the gifts are legitimate and part of a thoughtful estate planning approach rather than any attempt at tax evasion.

This is why I switched to doing everything myself. These tax prep places are getting worse every year with their hidden fees and sketchy practices

This happened to my sister too! Jackson Hewitt did the same thing - took her entire state refund without any heads up. She only found out when she called the state asking where her money was. It's honestly criminal how they hide this in the fine print but tell you verbally that it's "just from federal." Filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau might help others avoid this trap.

Has anyone considered the property tax implications here? When our family did a similar thing, the property tax assessment office got notified of the sale and reassessed the value, which jumped our annual property taxes by almost double! Might want to check with your local assessor about how they handle family transfers.

One more thing to consider - make sure your aunts understand they'll need to report the imputed interest as income even though they're not actually receiving it. This means they'll owe taxes on "phantom income" each year. Depending on their tax bracket, this could be a significant annual cost they weren't expecting. You might want to run the numbers to see if it makes sense for you to gross up their payments to cover the additional tax burden, or consider charging a small interest rate (maybe 1-2%) to reduce the imputed interest amount while still keeping your borrowing costs low. Sometimes a small actual interest payment is better than a larger phantom one for the lenders. Also, double-check that the property income you mentioned ($17k annually) won't complicate things if they're still receiving rental income during the transition period. Make sure the loan terms clearly address when rental income transfers to you.