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 ā 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
I work as a tax preparer and see this fairly often. The good news is that "Error Department" doesn't mean you made a mistake - it's just their internal processing queue for returns that need human review. With the Child Tax Credit claim you mentioned, they're probably just verifying your kids' information against their records. A few tips while you wait: - Keep checking "Where's My Refund" tool weekly - Don't file an amended return unless they specifically ask for one - If you get a CP05 notice, that's normal - it just confirms your return is under review The wait is frustrating, but most returns in ERD do eventually process without any action needed from you. Hang in there!
Ethan Taylor
ā¢Thank you so much for this reassuring explanation! As someone new to dealing with tax issues, hearing from a professional really helps ease my anxiety. I was starting to panic that I had done something terribly wrong. I'll definitely keep an eye out for that CP05 notice you mentioned and resist the urge to file amendments unless they ask. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise with us!
Jason Brewer
I had my return sent to the Error Department two years ago and it was nerve-wracking! In my case, it was because I had moved during the tax year and there was a mismatch between the address on my return and what they had on file from my previous year's return. The waiting is definitely the hardest part. What helped me was setting up alerts on the IRS app so I'd get notified of any status changes instead of obsessively checking every day. Also, make sure your phone number and address are current with the IRS in case they need to reach you. Since you mentioned needing the refund for car repairs, you might want to look into other temporary funding options while you wait. Some auto repair shops offer payment plans, or you could check if your bank offers a small personal loan if the repairs are urgent. The refund will come eventually, but having a backup plan might give you some peace of mind in the meantime.
Nia Wilson
ā¢This is really helpful advice! I didn't even know the IRS had an app with alerts - that would definitely save me from checking the website constantly. The address mismatch issue you mentioned makes me wonder if that could be part of my problem too, since I did move last year. I'll double-check that my address is updated with them. And you're absolutely right about having a backup plan for the car repairs. I was so focused on waiting for the refund that I hadn't considered other options. Thanks for the practical suggestions!
Join the conversation
GalaxyGlider
I went through this exact same situation with my small consulting business last year! The TurboTax Quick Employer Forms system is completely legitimate and will properly file your W-2s with the SSA. What happened is that TurboTax acts as an authorized third-party transmitter - they collect your W-2 data and submit it electronically to the SSA on your behalf. The reason you don't see much online discussion about this option is that most official IRS/SSA guidance naturally points people to their own government systems first. But third-party services like TurboTax have been doing this for years and are fully compliant. One thing that gave me peace of mind was calling the SSA about 2-3 weeks after filing to confirm receipt. You can reach them at 800-772-6270 and they can verify your W-2s were received using your confirmation number from TurboTax. Your dad should be all set! Just make sure to keep that confirmation documentation from TurboTax for your records. The main advantage of the TurboTax route is exactly what you experienced - no waiting for activation codes or dealing with government portal delays during busy tax season.
Paloma Clark
ā¢This is really helpful! I was getting worried that we might have missed something important by not using the official SSA system. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same situation. Did you have any issues when you called the SSA to verify? I'm wondering if they're helpful when you mention you used TurboTax instead of their BSO system, or if they give you a hard time about it.
Zoe Wang
ā¢The SSA representatives are actually very professional about third-party submissions! When I called to verify, I just mentioned I had used TurboTax to file and provided my confirmation number. The rep was able to look it up immediately and confirmed everything had been processed correctly. They didn't give me any pushback at all - apparently they deal with third-party filings all the time. The key is having your confirmation number ready when you call. They use that to track down your specific submission in their system. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes, and it was such a relief to know everything went through properly. Definitely recommend making that verification call for peace of mind, especially as a first-time filer!
I can confirm that both systems are legitimate! I work in small business accounting and see this confusion all the time. TurboTax Quick Employer Forms is an authorized SSA e-filing partner, so your W-2s submitted through their system go directly to the same SSA database that BSO feeds into. The main differences are: 1) TurboTax charges a fee but handles all the technical aspects for you, 2) BSO is free but requires more setup and can be less user-friendly, and 3) with TurboTax you get customer support if issues arise, while BSO support can be harder to reach. Since you already filed through TurboTax and received a confirmation, you should be all set! The SSA doesn't distinguish between submissions from different authorized providers - they all end up in the same system. For a small business like your dad's, the TurboTax route often makes more sense because it eliminates the bureaucratic hurdles like waiting weeks for activation codes. Just keep that confirmation documentation safe and consider calling the SSA in a few weeks to verify receipt if you want extra peace of mind. Both systems work, so don't stress about having chosen the "wrong" one!
PixelWarrior
ā¢This is exactly what I needed to hear! As someone who's new to handling business taxes, it's reassuring to get confirmation from someone who works in accounting. The whole process felt almost too easy compared to what I was reading about online, so I was second-guessing whether I'd done it correctly. I think for next year we'll probably stick with TurboTax since it worked so smoothly this time around. The customer support aspect you mentioned is definitely appealing - dealing with government phone systems can be a nightmare when you're already stressed about deadlines. Thanks for the detailed explanation about how both systems feed into the same database. That really helps put my mind at ease!
Join the conversation
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - worked at a bookstore for about a week and a half before realizing the commute was killing me. Got a W-2 for around $230 with about $18 in federal withholding. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like filing is definitely the way to go even though I'm not required to. The $18 refund plus the FAFSA benefits mentioned by Zoe make it worth the small time investment. One question though - since I'm also claimed as a dependent by my parents, do I need to coordinate with them at all when I file? Or can I just go ahead and file my return independently? I don't want to accidentally mess up their taxes by doing something wrong on mine.
You can file your return completely independently! Being claimed as a dependent on your parents' return doesn't require any coordination on your end. Your return and their return are separate - you're just reporting your own income and getting back your own withholding. The only thing you need to make sure of is that you check the box indicating that someone else can claim you as a dependent (there's usually a checkbox for this on tax forms). This doesn't affect your refund at all, it just tells the IRS that you're not claiming your own personal exemption because your parents are claiming you. Your parents will continue to claim you as a dependent on their return just like they normally would, and it won't impact their taxes that you filed your own return. Lots of college students file returns while being claimed as dependents - it's totally normal and the IRS systems are set up to handle it automatically.
CosmicCowboy
This whole thread has been so helpful! I'm actually a tax preparer and see this exact situation all the time during tax season. You're all giving great advice. Just to add one more perspective - even though $12 might not seem like much, I always tell my clients that it's money you already earned and the government is essentially holding it interest-free. There's no reason to let them keep it! Also, filing a return with such straightforward income is genuinely one of the easiest things you can do. It's actually a great way to get comfortable with the tax filing process before your financial situation gets more complicated later in life. Many of my clients who are intimidated by taxes now tell me they wish they had started filing simple returns like this when they were younger just to build confidence with the process. The IRS Free File program really is perfect for situations like yours - completely free, no upselling, and you'll have your refund in about 2-3 weeks if you choose direct deposit.
This is such valuable insight from someone who actually works in the field! I really appreciate the perspective about building confidence with the tax process early on. I've definitely been intimidated by the whole thing, but you're right that starting with something this simple makes a lot of sense. The point about the government holding our money interest-free really puts it in perspective too. Even though $12 isn't going to change my life, it's still MY money that I worked for (even if it was only two terrible shifts with that nightmare manager!). Thanks for the recommendation about IRS Free File - it sounds like that's definitely the route I'll go. And honestly, knowing that this is a super common situation makes me feel a lot less weird about the whole thing. I was worried I was the only person who quit a job after basically no time and then got confused about taxes!
Join the conversation
As someone who recently went through a similar situation with family help for student loans, I can confirm everything that's been said here is accurate! I received gifts from both my parents and my aunt to help with my loans, and it was completely tax-free for me as the recipient. What really helped me was understanding that gift taxes are designed to prevent wealthy people from avoiding estate taxes by giving away large sums - they're not meant to penalize normal family financial assistance. The annual exclusion amounts ($17k for 2024, $18k for 2025) are specifically set up to allow this kind of generous help without any tax complications. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're emotionally prepared for being debt-free so young! I know that sounds silly, but going from having monthly loan payments to suddenly having that money available for savings and investments can be overwhelming in the best way. Consider setting up automatic transfers to savings or retirement accounts so you don't accidentally lifestyle-inflate and lose the benefit of this amazing gift. You're so fortunate to have people willing to invest in your future like this. The compound effect of starting your career debt-free is going to be incredible for your long-term wealth building!
Andre Dupont
ā¢This is such great advice about being emotionally prepared for being debt-free! I never would have thought about that aspect, but it makes total sense. Having that extra money each month must feel almost surreal after budgeting around loan payments for so long. Your point about setting up automatic transfers is really smart - it would be so easy to just let that money disappear into everyday spending without a plan. The idea of lifestyle inflation eating up the benefits of such an incredible gift would be tragic. As someone still figuring out my own student loan strategy, this whole thread has been incredibly valuable. The combination of getting the tax rules straight AND thinking about the broader financial and emotional implications is exactly the kind of comprehensive guidance that's hard to find. Thanks for sharing your experience with going through this process!
Mei Lin
This is such a comprehensive and helpful thread! As someone who's currently drowning in my own student loan debt, reading about your situation gives me hope that there might be light at the end of the tunnel. What really stands out to me is how this community has covered every angle - from the basic tax rules (which are clearly in your favor) to the practical documentation tips, timing considerations, and even the psychological aspects of suddenly being debt-free. The consensus is clear: you won't owe any gift taxes since each giver is under the annual exclusion limit. I'm particularly grateful for the insights about keeping good records and making sure these are documented as true gifts with no strings attached. Those kinds of practical details are what separate good advice from great advice. @eea5968794f8, you're incredibly fortunate to have such generous people in your life! The fact that you'll be able to start your career completely debt-free is going to open up so many opportunities - from being able to take career risks to starting your wealth-building journey years earlier than most graduates. That's a gift that will keep giving for decades. Make sure to pay it forward when you're in a position to help others someday!
Rachel Tao
I've been dealing with Error Code 6000 for about a month now and it's absolutely infuriating! Reading through this thread has been so helpful - it's crazy how many of us are stuck with the same issue. The identity verification angle makes perfect sense, especially since I also moved recently and may have inconsistent address information across different systems. I'm definitely going to try the taxpayer advocate service at 877-777-4778 first thing tomorrow morning at 7 AM. Based on everyone's success stories here, that seems like the most reliable path forward. I'll make sure to have all my documents ready - exact refund amount, last year's AGI, current address as filed, SSN, and filing status. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to become IRS system experts just to check our own refund status, but I'm not giving up. The fact that so many people in this thread have eventually gotten their issues resolved gives me hope. @Ava Martinez - I really hope you get through to the advocate service and get your $4,300 sorted out! This whole discussion has been way more useful than anything on the actual IRS website. I'll update this thread with my results too so we can keep building this knowledge base for others dealing with the same nightmare. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - this community support is invaluable when dealing with such a broken government system!
0 coins
Scarlett Forster
ā¢This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding Error Code 6000! As someone new to dealing with IRS issues, I had no idea how widespread this problem is. It's really eye-opening to see how many people are struggling with the same identity verification lockouts. The taxpayer advocate service approach at 877-777-4778 seems to be the consensus solution here - I'm impressed by how many success stories people have shared using that route. @Rachel Tao your plan to call at 7 AM with all documents ready sounds solid! @Ava Martinez I m rooting'for you to get that $4,300 refund resolved soon. It s honestly'shameful that we need to crowdsource solutions like this because the official IRS help channels are so unreliable. But I m grateful'this community exists to share real experiences and workarounds. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference!
0 coins
Geoff Richards
I've been dealing with Error Code 6000 for the past few weeks and it's been incredibly frustrating! After reading through all these experiences, it's clear that this is a widespread issue affecting many taxpayers this year. The identity verification problems seem to be the root cause for most people. I'm planning to call the taxpayer advocate service at 877-777-4778 first thing tomorrow morning at 7 AM based on all the success stories shared here. It's amazing how much more helpful this community discussion has been compared to the official IRS resources. @Ava Martinez - I really hope you get your $4,300 refund situation resolved soon! The fact that so many people have eventually succeeded using the advocate service gives me confidence that there's light at the end of the tunnel. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to become experts in navigating broken government systems just to access our own tax information, but I'm grateful for communities like this where we can share real solutions. I'll definitely update this thread with my results to help others who might be dealing with the same error code nightmare. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creating such a valuable resource for fellow taxpayers struggling with these issues!
0 coins
Caleb Stone
ā¢I'm new to this community but have been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with similar IRS access issues. It's incredible how many people are experiencing Error Code 6000 - really shows the scale of the problem with their identity verification system this year. The taxpayer advocate service at 877-777-4778 seems to be the consensus solution based on all these success stories. @Geoff Richards your plan to call at 7 AM sounds smart! @Ava Martinez I m really'hoping you get that $4,300 refund sorted out - that s a'significant amount to have tied up because of technical issues. This whole discussion has been more informative than hours of searching the IRS website. It s frustrating'that we need to crowdsource solutions for basic government services, but I m grateful'this community exists to help each other navigate these broken systems!
0 coins