Thanks everyone for the advice! I checked the years and they match, so that's not the issue. I'm going to try taxr.ai first to see if I can figure out what's causing the discrepancy without having to call the IRS. If that doesn't clarify things, I'll probably use Claimyr to talk to an agent directly. I did notice that Credit Karma was asking about some education expenses that I didn't claim on my original return, so maybe that's part of the difference. Will update when I figure it out!

Great approach! Education expenses are definitely one of the most common sources of discrepancies between tax calculators and actual filed returns. The American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit can add up to significant refund amounts, but they have specific eligibility requirements that calculators sometimes overlook. Even if you paid for education expenses, you might not qualify for the credits if your income is above certain thresholds, or if you were claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, or if the school/program doesn't qualify. The calculators often assume you're eligible without checking these details. Keep us posted on what you find with taxr.ai - it'll be helpful for others in similar situations to know what the actual cause was!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - check if you have any cashback or rewards credit cards that offer bonus categories for "software" or "digital services" purchases. I used my Chase Freedom card during a quarter when software was a 5% category and got $6 back on my H&R Block filing. It's not a discount code, but it's still money back in your pocket! Also, if you're a AAA member, they sometimes have tax software discounts in their member benefits portal. I remember seeing H&R Block deals there in previous years, though I'm not sure what they're offering this season. Worth checking if you're already a member since you're paying for those benefits anyway. Good luck with your filing! This thread has been super helpful - I had no idea there were so many ways to save on tax software.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea there were so many different ways to find H&R Block discount codes. I'm definitely going to try a few of these strategies: 1. First, I'll check with my employer's HR department about any corporate partnerships - that 20% discount someone mentioned sounds amazing 2. I'll also look into my credit union's member benefits portal since I've been banking with them for years but never explored those perks 3. The cart abandonment trick is genius - I'm already at the payment screen anyway, so waiting a couple days to see if they send me a discount code makes perfect sense I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, especially the tax preparer who gave professional insights about not waiting too long if you're expecting a big refund. That's such a good point about the time value of money. One quick question for the group: for those who have tried multiple methods, which approach typically gives the biggest discount? I'm trying to decide if I should try the cart abandonment first or spend time researching corporate/credit union discounts. Thanks again everyone - this community is awesome for sharing real money-saving tips!

I totally get that sinking feeling! I made this exact same mistake about 5 years ago and remember that moment of panic so clearly. After spending days getting everything perfect, forgetting to sign felt like such a rookie error. Here's what happened in my case: The IRS sent my unsigned return back exactly 22 days later with a very standard, polite letter explaining they couldn't process it without my signature. No penalties whatsoever - they treat this as a routine administrative issue since it happens so frequently. When you get yours back, just sign it immediately and mail it back the same day. Make sure to keep copies of everything for your records. Since you mailed it well before the deadline, you have plenty of time to get this resolved. If you want to eliminate any timing anxiety while waiting, definitely consider filing Form 4868 for an automatic extension to October 15th. It's completely free and only takes a few minutes online. Even though you probably don't need it, having that extra buffer really helps with peace of mind. One thing that helped me feel more in control was keeping a simple timeline log: when I mailed the original, when I realized the mistake, when I got it back, etc. Having those dates written down made the whole process feel more manageable. This feels huge right now, but trust me - the IRS processes thousands of these unsigned returns every tax season. It's such a common mistake that they have it down to a routine procedure. You're going to be absolutely fine!

I completely understand that moment of panic! I made this exact same mistake about two years ago and felt absolutely sick when I realized what I'd done after all that careful work. Here's what you can expect: The IRS will mail your unsigned return back to you in about 2-4 weeks with a standard letter explaining they need your signature to process it. There are absolutely no penalties for this - they handle thousands of these cases every tax season, so it's completely routine for them. When you get it back, just sign it immediately, make copies for your records, and mail it right back the same day. Since you sent it well before the deadline, you have plenty of time to resolve this without any issues. If you want extra peace of mind while waiting (which I totally get), consider filing Form 4868 for an automatic extension to October 15th. It's free, takes just a few minutes online, and completely eliminates any deadline stress. One thing that really helped my anxiety was keeping a simple log of dates - when I mailed the original, when I realized the mistake, when I received it back, etc. Having that timeline documented made me feel much more in control. This feels like a disaster right now, but honestly, it's such a common mistake that the IRS has streamlined processes specifically for handling unsigned returns. You're going to get through this just fine!

I've been helping my elderly father with IRS issues for the past year and want to share a few additional strategies that have worked for me. First, try calling the "Tax Professional" line at 866-860-4259 around 2:30pm EST on Tuesdays - even though it's meant for enrolled agents and CPAs, if you explain you're assisting an elderly family member, they'll sometimes connect you to regular customer service with much shorter wait times. Another trick I discovered: when you do get through to an agent, immediately ask them to notate your mom's account that she's elderly and requires assistance. This creates a flag in their system that can help with future calls. The agent can add what's called an "indicator code" that prioritizes elderly taxpayers. Most importantly - and I can't stress this enough - get a copy of your mom's Account Transcript, not just the Return Transcript. The Account Transcript shows all the behind-the-scenes activity on her account and will often reveal exactly why a refund is delayed (offset for old debts, identity verification holds, etc.). You can get it online at irs.gov or by calling 800-908-9946. One last tip: if you're still getting nowhere after multiple calls, file Form 911 (Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service). This escalates the issue to a case worker who has more authority to resolve complex problems. The worst they can do is say no, but often they'll take the case if you've documented multiple unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue through normal channels. Hang in there - I know how frustrating this process is, but persistence really does pay off! 🤞

I've been dealing with similar IRS issues while helping my elderly mother, and I want to add a strategy that's been incredibly effective for me. Try calling the IRS "Identity Protection Specialized Unit" at 800-908-4490 around 1:45pm EST on Wednesdays. Even if your mom's issue isn't identity theft related, these agents often have access to broader account information and can sometimes resolve refund delays that regular customer service can't touch. Here's what made the biggest difference for me: when you finally get an agent, ask them to do a "manual refund trace" on your mom's account. This is different from the standard "where's my refund" lookup and can reveal if the refund was intercepted for debt offset, sent to an incorrect bank account, or stuck in a manual review queue. Many agents won't volunteer to do this unless you specifically request it. Also, something that saved me multiple callbacks - ask the agent to email you a summary of your conversation and any case reference numbers to your mom's email address on file. Not all agents will do this, but when they do, it creates a paper trail that makes follow-up calls much smoother. One final tip: if your mom receives Social Security, there are special protections under Treasury rules that prevent certain types of refund offsets. Make sure to mention this to any agent you speak with, as they may need to escalate to a specialized unit that handles these cases. The system is absolutely broken, but these approaches have helped me cut through the red tape faster than the standard customer service routes. Stay persistent! 💪

19 Most tax software now has a feature where you can enter income without a 1099 form. I use TurboTax and there's literally an option that says "I didn't get a 1099-NEC." You just enter the payer's information and amount manually.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - one of my clients hasn't sent my 1099 yet and tax season is approaching fast. From what I understand, the IRS cares more about accurate income reporting than having the actual forms. I've been keeping detailed records of all my payments throughout the year, including invoices, payment confirmations, and bank deposits. If you know exactly what you were paid, you can definitely file without the 1099. Just make sure you report the full amount and keep good documentation in case there are any questions later. The company is supposed to send 1099s by January 31st, so they're already late. Don't let their poor organization delay your filing - especially if you're expecting a refund!