Can't reach IRS? Claimyr connects you to a live IRS agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the IRS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the IRS drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Has anyone tried the new IRS Direct File program? I heard it's completely free regardless of income and doesn't have any of these hidden fee issues.
I used it this year and it was pretty straightforward! But it only works if you have a simple return. If you have any investments, self-employment income, or need to itemize deductions, you can't use it. Also, it's still limited to certain states though they expanded the program this year.
Thanks for the info! I'll look into whether my state is included. My taxes are pretty simple - just a W-2 and student loan interest, so maybe I'll qualify. Anything to avoid these surprise fees from the commercial sites!
I work as a tax preparer and see this confusion every year. The key thing to understand is that many tax companies have multiple tiers of service, and it's easy to accidentally get bumped into a paid tier without realizing it. Here's what I'd recommend: First, completely log out of FileYourTaxes.com and go directly through the IRS Free File portal at irs.gov/freefile. Don't use any bookmarks or go directly to their site. The Free File version is often completely separate from their commercial product. Second, double-check what forms or schedules you're including this year. Did you have any cryptocurrency transactions, gig work income, or new deductions? Even something as simple as claiming educator expenses can sometimes trigger an upgrade to their paid version. If you still can't get free filing through FileYourTaxes, don't feel locked in just because your previous years' data is there. Most tax software can import prior year returns or you can manually enter the key info pretty quickly. FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct, and several others have genuinely free federal filing for most situations. The most important thing is don't pay for something you should be getting for free just out of convenience!
This is really helpful advice from someone who actually works in the field! I had no idea that the Free File version could be completely separate from their regular website. That explains so much about why I keep running into these fee surprises. Quick question - when you say "import prior year returns," how does that usually work? Do I need to download something from FileYourTaxes first, or can the new software just pull it automatically? I'm worried about losing all my previous tax history if I switch services.
Join the conversation
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a PFL situation myself and had no idea about some of these nuances. One question I haven't seen addressed - what happens if you received PFL benefits in December but didn't actually take the leave until January of the following tax year? My daughter was born in late December, but I didn't start my actual leave until after the New Year due to how my company handles their leave policies. I received a lump sum payment in December for the upcoming leave period. Should this be reported on my 2024 return even though the leave itself was in 2025? I'm worried about getting this timing wrong since it seems like there are so many ways to mess up PFL reporting. Also, has anyone dealt with PFL from multiple states? We moved mid-year and I'm not sure if I need to file anything special since I was paying into one state's program for part of the year but used a different state's program for the actual leave.
Great questions! For the timing issue - PFL benefits are typically reported based on when you received the payment, not when you actually took the leave. So if you received that lump sum in December 2024, it should be reported on your 2024 tax return even though your leave was in 2025. The IRS generally follows the "constructive receipt" rule for income timing. For the multi-state situation, this gets more complex. You'll likely need to file returns in both states since you were paying into one state's system but used another's benefits. The state where you received the benefits will issue your 1099-G, and you may need to claim a credit on your original state's return for taxes paid to avoid double taxation. I'd definitely recommend consulting with a tax professional for this scenario since state tax treaties vary widely. You might also want to check if there are any proration rules that apply when you move between states mid-year - some states have specific provisions for this situation that could affect your tax liability.
I went through this exact same confusion with TurboTax and PFL benefits! You're right to be careful about getting it correct - the reporting requirements can be tricky. First, check your mail and online portals for a 1099-G form from your state's family leave program. This form should show the total PFL benefits you received and any taxes that were withheld. The 1099-G is separate from your W-2 because the payments come from the state fund, not directly from your employer. When you enter the 1099-G information in TurboTax, make sure you're putting it in the "Government Payments" or "1099-G" section, not trying to add it to your W-2 wages. TurboTax will walk you through this when you get to that section. One important thing to double-check: if your employer provided any "top-up" payments to supplement the state benefits (bringing you closer to your full salary), those employer contributions WOULD appear on your W-2. But the base PFL payments from the state should only be on the 1099-G. If you haven't received your 1099-G yet, contact your state's PFL department - they usually have online portals where you can access or request these documents. Don't file without it, as you'll likely need to amend your return later if you miss reporting this income.
This is super helpful, thank you! I'm actually in a similar boat as the original poster - took PFL after my son was born last fall and I'm completely lost on the tax implications. I haven't received a 1099-G yet either, so I'll definitely check my state's portal like you suggested. One thing I'm wondering about - do you know if the timing of when I applied for benefits versus when I actually received payments matters? I applied in August but didn't start getting payments until September. Just want to make sure I'm not missing anything when I finally get that 1099-G form.
Join the conversation
I can't stress enough how helpful this thread has been! I've been dealing with the same confusion about donation documentation. After reading through everyone's experiences, I wanted to share what I learned from my local IRS office when I called them directly about this issue. The IRS representative confirmed that you absolutely do NOT need original purchase receipts for donated items. What matters is having proper documentation from the receiving charity and being able to justify your fair market value estimates. She specifically mentioned that many people get confused about this because they think the IRS wants to see what you originally paid, but that's not the case at all. One thing she emphasized that I haven't seen mentioned yet: keep your donation receipts for at least 3 years after filing your return (or longer if you have other reasons to keep tax records longer). The IRS has up to 3 years to audit most returns, so you want to make sure you can still access your donation documentation if questions arise. She also mentioned that taking photos of donated items is becoming increasingly common and is excellent supporting documentation, especially for higher-value items. The visual evidence can really help if you ever need to justify your valuations during an audit. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences with the various tools and apps - I'm definitely going to look into some of these options to make my documentation process more streamlined!
This is exactly the kind of official confirmation I was hoping to see! Thank you for taking the initiative to call the IRS directly - that must have put a lot of people's minds at ease, including mine. It's reassuring to hear straight from them that original purchase receipts aren't required. The 3-year record retention reminder is really important too. I've been pretty good about keeping tax documents, but I hadn't thought specifically about how long to hold onto donation receipts. I'm going to set up a simple filing system now to make sure I can easily find these records if needed years down the line. Your point about photos becoming more common is interesting - it sounds like the IRS is adapting to how people naturally document things these days. Makes sense that visual evidence would be valuable for justifying valuations, especially since most of us carry cameras (phones) everywhere anyway. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in donation documentation! I went from being completely overwhelmed by the process to feeling confident about tackling my decluttering project. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips.
This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in the exact same situation as the original poster - sitting on years worth of items I want to donate but was paralyzed by thinking I needed all my original receipts. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief. I particularly appreciate the practical tips about taking photos before loading items in the car and keeping a year-round donation box. Those are the kinds of simple strategies that make this whole process feel manageable rather than overwhelming. One question I have after reading through all this great advice: for those of you who've been audited on donation deductions, what was the experience actually like? I know everyone talks about having proper documentation "in case of an audit," but I'm curious about what the IRS actually focuses on when they review donation claims. Do they really scrutinize every single item, or are they more concerned with overall reasonableness and proper charity acknowledgments? I'm planning to start my decluttering project next month and want to make sure I'm focusing my documentation efforts on the things that actually matter most to auditors, rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
Great question about the audit experience! While I haven't been audited myself on donation deductions, I've heard from others who have that the IRS typically focuses on a few key areas: 1) Whether you have proper receipts/acknowledgments from qualified charities, 2) Whether your valuations seem reasonable compared to actual thrift store prices, and 3) Whether the total amount of donations makes sense relative to your income. From what I understand, they're not usually going line-by-line through every single donated item unless something seems way off. They're more likely to question if you claimed $5,000 in donations on a $30,000 income, or if you valued common items at retail prices instead of thrift store values. The advice throughout this thread about being conservative with valuations and having good documentation seems spot-on for audit protection. Taking photos and keeping detailed records shows good faith effort, even if every detail isn't perfect. I think the key is demonstrating that you made reasonable, honest estimates rather than trying to maximize every possible deduction. Starting your decluttering project with this mindset - focus on proper charity receipts, reasonable valuations, and basic documentation - should give you solid audit protection without getting overwhelmed by perfectionism!
Join the conversation
This entire thread has been such an incredible resource! As someone who just started the Intuit Academy program and was already feeling intimidated by all the stories about the Tax Returns section, reading through everyone's experiences has completely transformed my confidence going into it. What really strikes me is how Derek's honest post about his struggles created this amazing collection of proven strategies - from the physical forms technique to understand dependencies, to the crucial mindset shift about the 80% passing threshold, to understanding each return as a complete "story" rather than just disconnected forms. The variety of successful approaches shows there really are multiple paths to success. I'm particularly excited to try the systematic review process that so many people mentioned, and I love CosmicCrusader's idea about keeping a "mistake log" to identify personal error patterns. That kind of self-awareness about your own thinking seems just as important as knowing the technical material. The community support here has been absolutely inspiring - seeing so many people come back to share their success stories after implementing these strategies proves that this advice actually works in practice. Derek, thank you for being brave enough to share your frustration. You've created something that's going to help countless future students navigate this challenging section with much more confidence and clarity!
Paolo, welcome to the program and what fantastic timing to discover this thread before diving into the Tax Returns section! You're absolutely right that Derek's vulnerability created something incredible here - it's amazing how one person's honest struggle can unlock so much collective wisdom. I love that you're already thinking strategically about combining multiple approaches. The "mistake log" idea from CosmicCrusader is brilliant - I wish I had thought of that when I was working through this section. There's something powerful about documenting not just what you got wrong, but understanding the flawed thinking that led you there. It transforms mistakes from frustrations into learning opportunities. Your point about the variety of successful approaches is so important. Whether it's physical forms, AI analysis tools, connecting with instructors, or systematic review processes - having multiple strategies means you're not stuck if one approach doesn't click for your learning style. The key insight from this whole thread seems to be that persistence combined with the right combination of methods absolutely works. That mindset shift about the 80% threshold really is transformative. It's incredible how much mental energy gets freed up when you're focused on demonstrating solid competency rather than achieving impossible perfection on every detail. Best of luck as you begin - with all these proven strategies at your disposal and this supportive community behind you, you're going to do great!
This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone new to this community who's been struggling with the same Tax Returns section challenges, I'm blown away by how much practical wisdom has emerged from Derek's original question. What really resonates with me is the emphasis on understanding the underlying tax principles rather than just memorizing procedures. The "story" approach several people mentioned - thinking of each return as telling a complete financial narrative - makes so much more sense than trying to mechanically fill out disconnected forms. It shifts the whole mindset from box-checking to logical problem-solving. I'm particularly grateful for the revelation about the 80% passing threshold. Like so many others here, I've been paralyzing myself trying to achieve absolute perfection on every practice return. Knowing I can demonstrate solid competency rather than flawless execution is already changing how I approach the material. The combination strategies seem to be key - physical forms for visualizing dependencies, systematic review processes for catching errors, and most importantly, taking time to understand WHY each entry makes sense in context. I'm planning to implement several of these approaches, especially the flowchart idea for form sequencing that multiple people found helpful. Derek, thank you for having the courage to share your struggles openly. You've sparked something truly valuable that's going to help so many of us get through this challenging section. This community's willingness to turn frustration into collaborative learning is exactly what makes these forums special!
Sofía Rodríguez
This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you to everyone who shared such detailed, practical experiences! As someone new to Wageworks benefits who's been completely confused about using them with rideshare services, this discussion has been a total game-changer. After reading through all the different approaches, I'm definitely going with the "Pay Me Back" method that so many people have successfully used. The monthly batch processing sounds much more reliable than trying to switch payment methods after each ride, and I love that it gives you proper time to organize all your documentation before submitting. The systematic documentation approach everyone's outlined is exactly what I was looking for - using a spreadsheet to track date/time/pickup/dropoff details plus saving screenshots of both the receipt AND the route map. It's clear that being thorough and organized from day one is what makes the difference between a smooth process and potential audit headaches. What really put me at ease were all the audit stories shared here. Hearing that people had their Wageworks reviews resolved quickly and easily because they maintained good records makes the whole process feel much less intimidating. It's obvious they're just verifying legitimate expenses rather than trying to catch people in violations. I'm planning to start with the Google Sheets tracking system and phone folder organization that Andrew and others detailed. A few minutes of monthly organization seems totally worth it for the tax savings and peace of mind. This community is amazing for providing real-world guidance that you simply cannot find in official policy documents or through customer service channels. Thank you all for making this complex benefit system so much easier to navigate!
0 coins
Zachary Hughes
•Welcome to the community, Sofía! This thread has been such an amazing resource - I'm so glad you found it as helpful as I did when I was first trying to figure out this whole Wageworks/Uber situation. You've definitely made the right choice with the "Pay Me Back" method. After seeing so many success stories throughout this discussion, it really does seem like the most straightforward and reliable approach. The monthly batch processing takes all the stress out of the individual transaction management. I just wanted to add one small tip that I wish someone had mentioned when I started - when you're setting up your Google Sheets system, consider color-coding your entries by month or status (like "submitted," "approved," "pending"). It makes it super easy to see at a glance what you've already processed and what still needs attention. The audit experiences shared here really are reassuring! It's amazing how having good documentation transforms what could be a stressful situation into just a quick administrative task. Your plan to be systematic about screenshots and spreadsheet tracking from day one is going to serve you so well. Thanks for contributing to this discussion - the more people who share their journey with these benefits, the easier it becomes for newcomers to navigate the system with confidence. Good luck getting your documentation system set up!
0 coins
Malik Robinson
This thread has been absolutely amazing! As someone who just started a new job with Wageworks benefits and was completely lost about using them for my Uber commutes, reading through everyone's detailed real-world experiences has been incredibly enlightening. I'm definitely going with the "Pay Me Back" method that so many people have successfully recommended here. The monthly batch processing approach sounds so much more reliable and organized than trying to manipulate payment methods after each individual ride. Plus, having that review process built in actually gives me more confidence about staying compliant. One quick question for those using the spreadsheet tracking method - do you find it helpful to also note the weather conditions or any other contextual factors that influenced your decision to use Uber instead of your usual commute method? I normally walk to work but use rideshares when it's raining heavily or if I have early morning meetings. I'm wondering if that additional context helps with documentation if there are ever questions about why certain days required rideshare instead of my typical routine. Also, has anyone dealt with surge pricing situations? I'm curious whether Wageworks has ever questioned higher-than-usual ride costs due to surge, or if they just care about the pickup/dropoff locations being work-related regardless of the fare amount. The audit experiences shared throughout this thread are so reassuring - it's clear that proper documentation really does make the whole process straightforward rather than stressful. I'm planning to set up the Google Sheets system with phone screenshots following the detailed guidance everyone has provided here. Thanks to this incredible community for sharing such practical, experience-based advice that you simply can't get from official policy documents!
0 coins
Liam McGuire
•Welcome to the community, Malik! Great questions about documentation best practices. Adding weather conditions and contextual factors to your spreadsheet is actually a really smart idea - I've seen several people in this thread mention doing exactly that. Notes like "Heavy rain - usual walking route not feasible" or "Early client meeting - needed reliable timing" can provide valuable context if Wageworks ever questions your rideshare usage patterns. Regarding surge pricing, from what I've gathered in this discussion, Wageworks typically focuses on whether the trip was legitimate work-related transportation rather than scrutinizing the specific fare amount. As long as your pickup/dropoff locations are consistent with commuting and the timing makes sense for work purposes, surge pricing shouldn't be an issue. That said, if you're regularly paying significantly higher surge rates, it might be worth noting in your spreadsheet something like "Surge pricing due to weather/event" just to show you're aware of the cost difference. The "Pay Me Back" method really is the way to go based on all the positive experiences shared here. The monthly batch processing gives you so much control over documentation and review before submitting. Your plan to include contextual notes in your tracking system shows you're thinking about this the right way from the start. The systematic approach with Google Sheets and screenshot organization that people like Andrew outlined has clearly worked well for many community members. You're setting yourself up for success with proper documentation from day one!
0 coins