Def a scam but ngl this is kinda hilarious. Usually they try harder with the whole 'youre going to jail' routine

Classic scam call! The IRS will NEVER call you without sending official mail first. Real IRS communications are always formal and documented. That "keep on" message is probably some confused scammer who doesn't even know what they're supposed to be saying lol. Just ignore it and don't give out any personal info if they call back. Your refund status can be checked on the official IRS website - much safer than random phone calls!

One thing i learned going from sched C to 1120s - PAYROLL IS A MUST!! u have to pay urself a "reasonable salary" which means payroll taxes u didnt have before. my accountant said its a red flag to the irs if u only take distributions and no salary. cost me about $45 per month for payroll service but saves headache with quarterly filings.

Don't forget about state-level requirements too! When I switched from Schedule C to 1120-S, I got hit with unexpected state franchise taxes and annual report fees that I didn't have as a sole prop. Some states also require you to publish a notice in local newspapers when you incorporate, which can cost a few hundred bucks. Also, if you're planning to have employees soon, you'll need an EIN (if you don't already have one) and will need to register for state unemployment insurance and workers' comp. The payroll requirements others mentioned are no joke - I use a service too because trying to handle all the tax deposits and quarterly filings manually was a nightmare. One more thing - make sure you keep really good records of corporate formalities (meeting minutes, resolutions, etc.) even if you're the only shareholder. The IRS can pierce the corporate veil if you don't maintain proper separation between personal and business activities.

This is exactly why I always recommend getting copies of everything before you hand over your documents to any tax preparer. In your situation, I'd suggest taking immediate action on multiple fronts: First, create an online account at IRS.gov to check your account transcript - this will show you exactly what's been filed under your SSN, including whether that extension was actually submitted. You can also see the status of your 2021 refund there. Second, send that certified letter Max mentioned, but also consider showing up at his office in person if it's local. Sometimes the threat of appearing in person gets preparers to respond when calls and emails don't. Third, start gathering recommendations for a new preparer NOW, even if your current one suddenly resurfaces. The October 15th deadline is approaching fast, and you don't want to be scrambling at the last minute. Look for someone who's an EA or CPA and has good reviews. Finally, document everything - dates of calls, texts sent, voicemails left. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to file complaints or pursue getting your $375 back. You shouldn't have to chase down someone you're paying to provide a service.

I went through something very similar two years ago and it was incredibly stressful. My preparer also filed an extension without telling me and then disappeared when I needed answers. Here's what I learned that might help you: The most important thing is to protect yourself from missing the October 15th deadline. Even if your preparer suddenly reappears, I'd strongly recommend getting a second opinion from another tax professional at this point. You can bring whatever documents you have copies of, and they can help determine what's missing and what needs to be done. One thing that helped me was filing a complaint with my state's consumer protection agency in addition to the tax-related complaints others mentioned. Since you paid $375 for services not properly rendered, this falls under consumer fraud. They often have more resources to help recover fees than the IRS complaint process. Also, if your preparer is part of a larger firm or franchise, contact their corporate office. They take these situations seriously because it affects their reputation and licensing. The silver lining is that you found out about this issue with enough time to take action. I know it feels overwhelming right now, but once you get your documents back and work with a reliable preparer, you'll get through this. Just make sure to keep detailed records of everything for potential reimbursement of penalties or additional preparation fees you might incur.

These scammers really out here trying to catch us slipping during tax season smh 🤦‍♂️

Always trust your gut when something feels off! As a general rule, legitimate tax services like TurboTax will never ask you to click links in emails for sensitive info. When in doubt, go directly to their official website by typing it in yourself. Better safe than sorry - these scammers are getting more sophisticated every year 🛡️

I dealt with a similar situation after Hurricane Laura damaged my home's electrical system. The key thing that helped me was getting a detailed report from a certified electrician explaining how the power surge was directly caused by the storm's impact on the electrical grid. The IRS agent I spoke with (after calling multiple times) emphasized that you need to establish a clear causal chain between the federally declared disaster and the damage. In my case, the electrician's report specifically stated that the power surge occurred due to electrical grid failures caused by the hurricane, not from normal electrical issues. Also, don't forget to check if your state offers any additional disaster relief programs. Some states have property tax relief or other programs that can help offset costs even if the federal casualty loss deduction doesn't work out due to the AGI limitations. The documentation you gather for the tax deduction can often be used for these other programs too. One more tip - if you do qualify for the deduction, you can actually choose to claim it on either the year the loss occurred or the prior year's return, which might be beneficial depending on your income situation in each year.

I work as a tax preparer and see casualty loss claims fairly often. Your situation definitely has potential, but there are a few key things to focus on: 1. **Timing documentation is crucial** - You'll need to prove the power surge happened as a direct result of the tornado. Utility company reports from that day showing grid failures, local news reports about widespread power issues after the storm, or even social media posts with timestamps can help establish this connection. 2. **Get professional documentation** - As others mentioned, an electrician's written assessment is valuable, but make sure they specifically state that the damage pattern is consistent with power surge damage rather than normal wear/failure. 3. **Check the disaster declaration date carefully** - Make sure your loss occurred during the disaster period. Sometimes there's a specific window, and damage that occurs days later might not qualify even if it's related. 4. **Consider the election timing** - You have until the due date of the return for the year after the loss occurred to make the election to claim it on the prior year's return. So for 2024 losses, you have until April 15, 2026 to decide whether to claim it on 2023 or 2024 returns. The AGI limitation is tough, but if you had lower income in the prior year, that election could make this worthwhile. Even a small deduction is better than none, and the documentation process might help with any future insurance disputes too.