This is what worries me! Did you have any issues with them properly applying your payment when you made it before they processed your return? And how did you figure out the exact amount with penalties?

No issues with them applying the payment - I paid through the IRS Direct Pay system and selected the correct tax year and form type. The payment posted correctly once they processed my return. As for calculating the exact amount with penalties, that was the tricky part. I didn't know how to do that accurately, which is why I ended up with a small balance due notice later. If I could do it again, I would either pay a bit more than I thought I owed to be safe or use one of the services others have mentioned to get a more precise calculation.

Try early morning (like 6-7am) or late evening. Their site gets overloaded during peak hours. Also clear your cookies or try a different browser. Their site is notoriously bad with certain browser versions.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try early tomorrow morning. Been trying in the afternoon and it's been completely useless. Their tech is so outdated it's ridiculous.

Do you know if there's any disadvantage to using Direct Pay instead of payusatax? Is one better for record-keeping or anything?

Direct Pay gives you a confirmation number and email receipt just like payusatax does, so the record-keeping is pretty much the same. The main difference is that Direct Pay is completely free while payusatax charges a processing fee. The one downside to Direct Pay is that you can't use a credit card - it has to come directly from your bank account. So if you're trying to get credit card points, you'd need to use payusatax or one of the other third-party processors that accept cards (though they charge an even higher fee for credit card transactions).

The IRS counts the payment date as the day you submit it, not when they process it. So as long as you select "2021" and "1040-ES" when making the payment, you'll be fine. I made this mistake last year - selected the wrong tax year and had to spend hours sorting it out. Double check the tax year selection before submitting!

Thanks for clarifying! That's a relief to know it's based on submission date. I'll definitely double-check the year selection when I submit.

I've actually tried calling right when they open multiple times with no luck! Do you know if the Taxpayer Advocate requires proof of hardship? This refund delay is definitely causing me financial problems since I was counting on that money.

Yes, the Taxpayer Advocate Service typically requires some documentation of hardship - things like utility disconnection notices, eviction threats, or proof that you can't meet basic living expenses without the refund. If you have any documentation showing financial strain, gather that before contacting them. They've been overwhelmed lately too, but they're often more accessible than the main IRS lines. Their criteria for accepting cases have gotten stricter because of their high case volume, but identity theft cases with hardship are generally prioritized.

I second this! In-person appointments are WAY more effective. I had my identity theft issue resolved in about half the time after visiting my local office. They can verify your identity on the spot and put notes directly in the system. Just make sure to bring multiple forms of ID and copies of all your documentation.

That's a great suggestion! I didn't even think about going in person. How did you schedule the appointment? Is there a specific section on the IRS website for that?

That makes sense! So it's not that they need to have the exact code section memorized, but they should be able to tell you generally where to find the information or be willing to look it up for you. Is there a polite way to phrase this kind of request without seeming like I'm challenging their expertise?

I've found the best approach is to frame it as wanting to understand for your own knowledge rather than challenging their expertise. Try saying something like: "This is interesting - could you point me to the IRS publication or tax code section where I could read more about this? I'd like to understand the details better." Most professionals respond well to curiosity. If they still get defensive, that's actually valuable information about whether this is someone you want to work with. A good tax professional should appreciate a client who wants to be informed rather than just taking everything at face value.

That's because there's a HUGE difference in qualifications. H&R Block "professionals" often just take a 10-week course. Tax attorneys have law degrees plus specialized tax training. You get what you pay for.

Don't discount CPAs though - many are extremely knowledgeable about tax laws and citations, especially those who specialize in taxation. The real dividing line isn't the credential but whether they focus on compliance (just filling out forms) versus actual tax planning and strategy.

Thank you so much for highlighting how serious this is! I had no idea I could end up owing thousands if I don't handle this correctly. The premium tax credit was substantial since I'm a single parent. The financial aid office is specifically asking for her return, not mine, which is part of what confused me. Maybe because she's now 23 and considered independent for current FAFSA purposes, even though they're looking at 2022 when she was my dependent? I'll definitely call them to clarify.

Second this! I actually found out that my Marketplace had issued a CORRECTED 1095-A that I never received in the mail. When I logged into my account, both the original and corrected versions were there.