Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I think you might be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit even without the 1098-T? It's meant for exactly this type of continuing education and certificate programs. As long as you have proof you paid tuition to an eligible educational institution you should be able to claim it.

I ran into this exact same issue last year with a professional development course! The university's resistance to providing their EIN is really frustrating, but you have several options here. First, definitely try the W-9 approach that Kennedy mentioned - it's often the fastest solution. Most universities post their W-9 forms online for vendor payments, and the EIN is right there. If that doesn't work, you can also check the university's annual financial reports or audited statements, which are usually public for state institutions. The EIN will be listed in the header information. As a last resort, you can file Form 8863 (Education Credits) and attach a statement explaining that you requested the institution's EIN but they refused to provide it, along with copies of your payment receipts. The IRS has provisions for situations where educational institutions don't cooperate with providing required information. Don't let them prevent you from claiming a legitimate education credit - you paid that tuition and you're entitled to the tax benefit!

When I won a jet ski in a charity raffle last year, I had the exact same concern! What worked for me was asking to meet someone from the organization in person at their office. I brought a cashier's check but didn't hand it over until they showed me the prize and their official documentation. They were totally fine with this arrangement. Might be worth asking if you can do something similar? Any legitimate organization should understand your concerns about sending a large check for something you haven't received yet.

I completely understand your concerns about sending such a large check - $3,200 is a significant amount! While the organization is correct that they need to handle the tax withholding directly (they're required to be the withholding agent), there are definitely ways to protect yourself. Here's what I'd recommend: First, verify the organization's legitimacy by checking their business registration or tax-exempt status online. Second, request all documentation upfront - the prize valuation, tax calculation breakdown, their EIN, and a written commitment to provide the W-2G form. Third, ask if you can arrange to make the payment when you physically receive the prize, rather than beforehand. If they insist on payment first, consider asking about using an escrow service as a compromise - you pay the escrow company, they verify the prize delivery, then release funds to the organization. Most legitimate organizations will work with reasonable security measures because they understand it's a lot of money. The key red flag would be if they refuse to provide proper documentation or won't consider any reasonable alternatives to protect your interests. A trustworthy organization should be transparent about their process and willing to accommodate your concerns within the legal requirements.

This happened to me too!! I ended up downloading my return as a PDF from both H&R Block and TurboTax, then going through them line by line to find the differences. It took forever but I finally found that one software was interpreting my retirement contributions differently. One suggestion is to check if there's anything unusual about your W2 - any code in Box 12 that might be interpreted differently by different software?

Based on your numbers, the IRS calculator result seems much more reasonable. A $2,500 difference between tax software is definitely not normal for a straightforward W2 + interest income situation. Here's what I'd suggest checking in H&R Block: 1. **Verify your AGI calculation** - With $125,164 in Box 1 wages plus $2,427 interest, but an AGI of only $97,247 on the IRS calculator, you're clearly getting substantial above-the-line deductions (likely your maxed 401k and HSA). Make sure H&R Block captured these correctly. 2. **Check Box 12 codes on your W2** - Look for codes like D (401k elective deferrals), W (HSA employer contributions), etc. Sometimes software misinterprets these. 3. **Review your tax bracket calculation** - With a taxable income around $110,239, most of your income should be taxed at 22%, not higher brackets. The math check: If your taxable income is $110,239, your federal tax should be roughly $18,289 (using 2024 brackets), which aligns much better with the IRS calculator than H&R Block's result. I'd recommend either going through H&R Block line-by-line to find the error, or trying a different tax software to get a third opinion. The IRS calculator is usually quite accurate for straightforward situations like yours.

Tax topic 152 is actually a good sign! It means your return is being processed normally. The IRS is just moving slower than usual this year. My brother filed same day as you and just got his deposit yesterday, so yours might be coming soon!

Hey Anna, I totally understand your frustration! I filed around the same time with TaxSlayer and was stuck on processing for weeks too. One thing that helped me was setting up text/email alerts through the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool so I didn't have to keep checking obsessively. Also, if you're having trouble accessing your transcript online, you can call 1-800-908-9946 to request it be mailed to you (takes 5-10 business days but at least you'll get the detailed info). Hang in there - based on what others are saying, it sounds like TaxSlayer returns are just taking longer this year but they are getting processed!

Since you're a witness in a criminal case, I'd strongly recommend contacting the prosecutor's office handling the case before taking any action on your returns. They may have specific guidance about how to handle this situation while the criminal investigation is ongoing. That said, you'll likely need to amend those returns eventually. Even though the preparer committed fraud, the IRS still expects you to file correct returns. The good news is that being a witness in a criminal case against her actually strengthens your position - it clearly establishes you as a victim rather than a co-conspirator. I'd suggest: 1) Ask the prosecutor if there's a preferred timeline for amending your returns 2) Keep detailed records of all costs you incur fixing this mess 3) Consider consulting with a tax attorney who has experience with preparer fraud cases The criminal conviction may help with any civil remedies you pursue later, but unfortunately the IRS will still expect the correct taxes to be paid. However, penalties are often waived in cases involving preparer fraud, especially when there's a criminal conviction involved.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! Tax preparer fraud is unfortunately becoming more common, but the good news is that you're handling this exactly the right way by refusing to lie to the IRS. Here's my advice as someone who works in tax resolution: **Immediate actions:** - Respond to the audit notice promptly - don't let deadlines pass - File Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer) immediately to officially report the fraud - Document every interaction with this preparer, especially his suggestion to lie - Gather all your legitimate tax documents (W-2s, 1099s) that prove you don't own a business **For the audit meeting:** - Be completely honest about having no knowledge of the fake business - Bring evidence of your attempts to contact the preparer and his evasive responses - Consider hiring an Enrolled Agent for representation - they're often more affordable than attorneys and specialize in IRS matters **What to expect:** The IRS has specific procedures for preparer fraud cases. When you can prove you were deceived and cooperate fully, they typically adjust your return to correct amounts and often waive penalties. You may still owe the correct tax amount plus interest, but penalties are usually forgiven for fraud victims. Also, definitely warn your brother-in-law about this preparer - he may have referred others who are at risk. Consider consulting with an attorney about suing the preparer for damages you incur from fixing this mess. You're doing everything right by being honest and proactive. This will get resolved!