I would strongly recommend documenting everything right away while it's fresh in your mind. Write down exactly what the preparer told you verbally about your return, fees, and the advance loan. Note dates when you requested documents and when you received them. Take pictures of any paperwork you have, even handwritten notes. I learned from my own experience that these small details can make a huge difference when building your case. Also, check your bank statements for the exact amount of the advance deposit. The electronic trail of deposits will be important evidence showing exactly how much you received versus what was issued.

This is absolutely infuriating and I'm so sorry you're going through this. What you've described is textbook tax preparer fraud and theft. Beyond the excellent advice already given about IRS forms and reporting, I'd also suggest checking if your state has a Consumer Protection Division or Attorney General's office that handles financial fraud cases. Many states have specific programs for tax preparer fraud that can work alongside federal investigations. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau if the preparer's business is listed there. While it won't get your money back directly, it creates another paper trail and warns future potential victims. Also, if you paid the preparer with a credit card, contact your card company immediately to dispute the charges. Explain that you were charged for services not rendered (since he inflated your income without authorization and kept money that should have gone to you). Credit card companies often have stronger fraud protections than other payment methods. Document absolutely everything - take photos of all paperwork, save text messages, and write down every conversation you remember having with this person. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be across all the agencies you'll be reporting to. You're doing the right thing by pursuing this aggressively. This preparer is likely doing this to other clients too, so your actions could help protect others from the same scam.

word of advice: DONT CALL!! been on hold for 3 hours today and got hung up on twice. just do the online thing

I just went through this process last month! The online verification at idverify.irs.gov is definitely the way to go - took me about 20 minutes total. You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and either your prior year tax return OR a bank statement/utility bill. They ask you some questions about your credit history too. After I verified, I got my refund in about 5 weeks, which was faster than I expected. Pro tip: do it during off-peak hours if possible to avoid the site being slow!

I was in almost the exact same boat last month (though I guess my situation was slightly less complicated). Called the TAS number (877-777-4778) every day for a week at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern when they open. Finally got through on Thursday, explained my situation, and the advocate was actually pretty helpful! She created a case file and contacted the specific department handling my amended return. Got a resolution within 10 days after that. The secret seems to be calling right when they open - who would have thought government offices actually answer phones at opening time? 😂

I'm dealing with a very similar situation - my 1040X has been stuck "in process" for 76 days now and I'm getting nowhere with the regular IRS phone lines. Based on what everyone's shared here, I'm planning to try calling the TAS national line (877-777-4778) first thing tomorrow morning at 7 AM sharp, since Gabriel had success with that timing. If that doesn't work, I'll look up my local TAS office using the zip code tool on their website. One question for those who've successfully worked with TAS - how specific did you need to be about financial hardship? I'm not facing eviction or utility shutoffs, but the delay is preventing me from finalizing some financial planning decisions that are time-sensitive. Would that qualify, or do they really need to see immediate financial distress? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful!

Just wanted to add that checking your refund status obsessively doesn't make it come any faster lol. The "Where's My Refund" tool and the IRS2Go app only update once per day (usually overnight), so checking multiple times daily is pointless. I learned this the hard way after refreshing like 20 times a day my first time filing! Also, the IRS has a weird system where they use 3 status updates: Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent. The annoying part is you can sit on "Return Received" for weeks with no visible progress, then suddenly jump to "Refund Sent" on the same day. Don't panic if it seems stuck on the first status - that's normal.

Hey Jenna! Welcome to the world of taxes - it can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but you're asking all the right questions. Since you e-filed with direct deposit and this sounds like a straightforward return, you're very likely to get your refund within that 21-day window the IRS mentions. For most simple returns, it's actually closer to 10-14 days. Your roommates might be thinking of more complicated situations or remembering the delays from a few years ago during COVID. The 120-day timeline you saw online is probably for worst-case scenarios like paper filing, complex returns with multiple schedules, or situations where the IRS needs additional verification. Since you're in Boise, there's no special processing delay for your location - all e-filed returns go through the same national system regardless of where you live. Keep an eye on the "Where's My Refund" tool or download the IRS2Go app to track your status. Try not to check it obsessively though (it only updates once a day)! You should be getting your money soon. Congrats on filing your first return!

bruh the IRS is slower than my grandma using a smartphone fr fr 🐌

Don't panic! February 3rd was only 6 days ago, so you're still well within the normal timeframe. The IRS typically processes e-filed returns within 21 days, and transcripts usually update on Friday mornings. Since you filed on a Monday, your return is probably still in the queue for processing. I'd give it until at least February 21st before getting concerned. The transcript lag is totally normal - sometimes the "Where's My Refund" tool updates before transcripts do anyway.