I work for the IRS and wanted to clarify something important that I noticed in this thread. While all the discount code advice is great, I want to make sure people understand that the IRS doesn't endorse any particular tax preparation software or service. We remain neutral on which product you choose. That said, the most important thing is accuracy in your tax preparation, especially with 1099 income as mentioned in the original post. Whether you use H&R Block, TurboTax, or any other software, make sure it properly handles all your income sources and deductions. A few official reminders as we get closer to the filing deadline: - Free File is available through the IRS website for eligible taxpayers (generally those with AGI under $73,000) - VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) provides free tax help for those who qualify - Always keep copies of your tax documents and filing confirmations - Be wary of tax preparers who promise unusually large refunds or charge fees based on your refund amount The discount hunting strategies shared here are all legitimate ways to save money on commercial tax software. Just remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best if it doesn't meet your specific tax situation needs. Good luck with your filing!

I've been doing my taxes with H&R Block for several years now, and I've had great success finding discount codes through their partner network. One source that hasn't been mentioned yet is through professional associations - if you're a member of any industry groups, trade associations, or professional organizations, many of them have negotiated member discounts with tax prep companies. I'm also a member of my local Chamber of Commerce (which costs like $200/year but pays for itself in various member benefits), and they have a partnership that gives 25% off H&R Block products. The discount applies automatically when you access H&R Block through their member portal, so no code hunting required. Since you mentioned you've been using H&R Block for 3 years, definitely check your account dashboard first before looking elsewhere. They often have returning customer offers that aren't advertised publicly. I've gotten "customer loyalty" discounts just by logging in during peak tax season. For your 1099 situation specifically, the Deluxe version should handle everything you need. Don't let anyone upsell you to Premium unless you have rental properties or significant investment income. The price difference isn't usually worth it for standard freelance/contractor work. Good luck with your filing, and don't abandon that progress you've already made! The discount hunt is worth doing since you're already committed to the H&R Block platform.

I've been struggling with the exact same issue! After reading through all these incredibly helpful solutions, I'm amazed at how this community has basically created a comprehensive troubleshooting guide for the IRS website's problems. Based on everyone's experiences, it seems like the winning combination involves several factors: early morning timing (5:30-7:00 AM EST), trying different browsers (Firefox, Safari, or even IE compatibility mode), using alternative network connections (mobile hotspot instead of home WiFi), and going directly to the transcript page rather than navigating through the main dashboard. What strikes me most is how many different technical approaches have worked for different people - from disabling JavaScript to clearing all cookies to switching devices entirely. It really shows how unreliable the IRS systems are during peak periods, but also gives hope that there's usually some combination that will work if you're persistent enough. I'm planning to try the early morning + mobile hotspot + Firefox approach that several people have had success with. It's frustrating that we need to jump through so many hoops just to access our own tax information, but this thread has given me a clear action plan instead of just randomly trying things. Thanks to everyone who shared what worked for them - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes dealing with government website issues bearable!

I've been dealing with the exact same transcript download issues and this thread has been a lifesaver! After trying several of the approaches mentioned here, I finally got through this morning using a combination of strategies. What worked for me: Firefox browser with completely cleared cache, accessed at 6:45 AM EST on a Wednesday, used my phone's mobile hotspot instead of home WiFi, and went directly to the "Get Transcript Online" page via bookmark. The download worked perfectly on the first try after getting error messages for over a week! The network switching tip was particularly crucial - I think my cable internet was having routing issues to the IRS servers during peak times. When I switched to mobile data, everything loaded much faster and more reliably. One additional observation: I noticed the site seemed more responsive on Wednesday morning compared to when I tried Monday and Tuesday. There might be a pattern to when their servers perform better, possibly related to maintenance schedules or backend updates. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - this community troubleshooting has been more helpful than any official support channel. For anyone still struggling, I'd highly recommend the early morning + different network + fresh browser combination approach!

I had a similar experience with foreign medical expenses and wanted to share a few additional insights that might help! I had back surgery in Germany two years ago and successfully claimed the deduction. One thing I'd emphasize is keeping a detailed medical journal or timeline. I documented my condition progression, US consultations, the decision-making process for going abroad, and recovery timeline. This really helped paint a complete picture of medical necessity if anyone ever questioned it. Also, regarding the 7.5% AGI threshold - don't forget you can combine ALL your medical expenses for the year, not just the foreign surgery. So include things like prescription medications, US doctor visits, medical equipment, even travel to local medical appointments. Every expense counts toward reaching that threshold. For your Costa Rica surgery, make sure to get a final medical report or discharge summary from the facility if you haven't already. Having an official medical document describing the procedure and necessity can be really valuable documentation. The deviated septum repair is definitely legitimate - breathing issues significantly impact quality of life and overall health. You made a smart financial decision going abroad while still getting quality care. The IRS recognizes that medical costs in the US can be prohibitive, so seeking affordable care elsewhere is completely reasonable and deductible.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm planning to have dental implants done in Mexico next year and was worried about the tax implications. Reading about everyone's successful experiences with foreign medical deductions gives me confidence that I can properly document everything. A few questions based on what I've read here: 1. For those who used medical tourism agencies, did you include their coordination fees as part of your deductible medical expenses? 2. I noticed several mentions of the $50/night lodging limit - does this apply per person or per room? My spouse will be traveling with me as a caregiver. 3. Has anyone dealt with procedures that span multiple tax years? My treatment plan might start in December 2025 but finish in January 2026. The cost difference is staggering - I'm looking at about $15,000 in Mexico versus $45,000+ in the US for the same work. Even with travel expenses, the savings are substantial. Plus, the dental tourism facility I'm considering has amazing reviews and uses the same implant brands as top US practices. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and documentation tips. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex situations!

I just went through this exact situation and I'm still in shock at how complicated it all is! 😱 • The IRS has MILLIONS of backlogged returns • They're STILL catching up from COVID delays • Some returns get randomly flagged for review • The same form can be sent MULTIPLE times (happened to me too!) • You should DEFINITELY still file this year's taxes • Your new return might actually help resolve the old one • I learned all this after hours of research I never imagined taxes could be this complicated! It's like you need a PhD just to get your own money back! 🤯

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! As someone who's dealt with IRS delays before, I completely understand your frustration. Here's what I'd recommend based on what others have shared: 1. **File your 2023 taxes on time** - Don't let fear of the old issue create new problems. The IRS processes each year separately. 2. **Get your tax transcript ASAP** - This will show you exactly what codes are on your account and why your refund is stuck. You can access it online through the IRS website. 3. **Document everything** - Keep copies of those duplicate 60-day notices and note the dates you received them. 4. **Consider the Taxpayer Advocate Service** - If this is causing financial hardship, you can file Form 911 to get additional help navigating the system. The fact that you received the same paperwork twice suggests there might be a processing error on their end. When you do get through to someone, make sure to mention this duplication - it could be key to resolving your case. You worked hard for that money and you deserve to get it back! Don't give up - there are people here who've successfully resolved similar situations. 💪

Has anyone dealt with unclaimed refunds for a deceased person? My cousin passed 3 years ago and we just found out he was owed a big refund that was never claimed. Is there a process for that?

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my father's estate. One thing I learned is that even if no one files the return, the IRS penalty for late filing is actually reduced to zero if no taxes are owed. However, if your uncle was self-employed, there's a good chance he might owe self-employment taxes even if his income was low. You might want to start by gathering any 1099s or other tax documents that might have been mailed to his address. If he was doing consulting work, clients who paid him more than $600 should have sent 1099-NEC forms. The IRS gets copies of these too, so they'll know about that income even if no return is filed. Also, check if your state has any separate filing requirements for deceased persons - some states have different rules than the federal government. It's usually worth filing even if you think he didn't owe anything, just to close out his tax obligations cleanly.