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
I've been lurking on this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who recently went through this decision process. After reading everyone's experiences, I ended up going the VITA route first and I'm so glad I did. The VITA program really opened my eyes to what tax preparation actually involves day-to-day. You're dealing with real people with real problems - language barriers, missing documents, complicated family situations that don't fit neatly into tax software prompts. The classroom training is thorough but basic, covering individual returns, credits, and deductions. What's invaluable is the supervised practice where experienced volunteers help you work through situations you'd never encounter in a course. I volunteered at a community center and prepared about 150 returns during the season. The variety was incredible - simple W-2 returns, small business Schedule C, rental property, education credits, elderly clients with retirement income. Each return taught me something new, and having mentors right there to answer questions was priceless. Now I'm planning to study for the EA exam this summer, but I feel like I have a solid foundation to build on. Plus, several local tax firms have already reached out to me for next season based on my VITA experience. The hands-on experience and references you get from VITA supervisors seem to carry a lot of weight with employers. If you're on the fence, I'd definitely recommend starting with VITA. It's free, you're helping your community, and you'll get a realistic view of whether tax preparation is something you want to pursue seriously.
This is such valuable insight, thank you for sharing your VITA experience! I'm really intrigued by what you said about the variety of returns you encountered - 150 returns in one season sounds like incredible hands-on experience. Can you tell me more about the time commitment? Like how many hours per week were you volunteering during tax season? Also, I'm curious about the mentorship aspect. Were the experienced volunteers actual EAs or CPAs, or were they just seasoned VITA volunteers? I'm wondering how much advanced knowledge I'd actually be exposed to versus just getting comfortable with basic returns. Your point about local tax firms reaching out based on VITA experience is really encouraging. That kind of networking benefit wasn't something I'd considered before. Did you find that the VITA program helped you make connections in the local tax preparation community beyond just the volunteer coordinators?
@3c1ecb24a1c5 Your VITA experience sounds amazing! I'm definitely convinced this is the right starting point now. One thing I'm wondering about - did you find that the VITA training prepared you well for the variety of situations you encountered, or were there times when you felt in over your head? I'm a bit nervous about working with real taxpayers' returns without having extensive formal training first. Also, when you mentioned that tax firms reached out to you - was that during tax season while you were still volunteering, or afterward? I'm curious about the timeline and whether VITA experience might actually help me find paid work even before pursuing the EA credential. The community aspect you mentioned really appeals to me too. It seems like VITA would give me a chance to help people who really need it while I'm learning, which feels much more meaningful than just taking a course focused on getting me hired at a chain tax office.
I've been following this discussion and wanted to share my experience as someone who took a different path. I started with the Jackson Hewitt course about 4 years ago, and while others have criticized it, it actually worked well for me as a complete beginner to tax preparation. Yes, it's basic, but sometimes that's exactly what you need when you're starting from zero. The key thing I learned is that no single course - whether it's H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or even EA prep - will make you an expert overnight. Tax preparation is really a field where you learn by doing. The Jackson Hewitt course gave me enough foundation to get hired for my first season, and then I learned exponentially more in those first few months of preparing real returns. What I'd suggest is thinking about your immediate goals versus long-term aspirations. If you need to start earning income next tax season and want to get your feet wet, the basic courses can get you there. But if you're thinking about this as a serious career move, then yes, absolutely plan to pursue EA certification within a year or two. One thing that's been invaluable for me is joining professional groups and continuing education. The tax code changes every year, and staying current is just as important as your initial training. I now do mostly business returns and earned over $40K last season working independently, but it took time and continued learning to get there. The VITA route that others mentioned sounds excellent too - I wish I had known about it when I started. Whatever path you choose, just remember that your first course is really just the beginning of your tax education, not the end.
Join the conversation
I went through this exact nightmare two years ago and what finally worked was being extremely persistent with documentation. The key breakthrough for me was requesting what's called a "CADE 2 transcript" from the IRS - this shows their real-time system data rather than the standard transcripts that might be outdated. When I compared the CADE 2 transcript with my SSA earnings record, it became crystal clear that the IRS system hadn't been updated with my W2C information even though SSA had it. I printed both documents, highlighted the discrepancies in bright yellow, and hand-delivered them to my local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center rather than mailing or faxing. The local office was able to input a "manual correction" immediately while I waited, and they gave me a printout showing the adjustment had been made to my account. My refund was released within 10 days after that. The moral of the story: sometimes you need to physically show up with paperwork in hand. The local offices have more direct access to make immediate corrections than the phone representatives do. Call ahead to make an appointment and bring every single piece of documentation you have - original W2, W2C, pay stubs, employer letters, SSA transcript, everything. It's worth the trip to get it resolved once and for all.
This is incredibly helpful advice! I had no idea there was a difference between regular transcripts and CADE 2 transcripts. When you went to the local office, did you need to make an appointment or could you just walk in? I'm definitely willing to take time off work to get this resolved if it means avoiding months more of phone calls and paperwork shuffling. Also, when you say they gave you a printout showing the adjustment - was this something official that you could reference if the issue came up again later? I'm paranoid about this getting "unfixed" somehow after all the trouble it's been to get this far. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's giving me hope that there's actually a real solution to this mess!
You definitely need to make an appointment at the local IRS office - they don't do walk-ins for complex issues like this anymore. You can schedule online through the IRS website or call their appointment line. I'd recommend booking as early as possible since they often have 2-3 week wait times. The printout they gave me was an official "Account Transcript" showing the manual adjustment with a specific date and reference number. I kept multiple copies of it and referenced that number in all future correspondence about the issue. It essentially became my proof that the correction was made in their system. One pro tip: when you make the appointment, specifically mention that you need help with a "W2C discrepancy requiring manual account adjustment." This helps them assign you to someone who actually has the system access to make changes rather than someone who can only look up information. Bring everything organized in a folder and be prepared to explain the timeline clearly - they appreciate when taxpayers come prepared with all the facts laid out logically. You've got this! The local office route really does work when you hit these kinds of inter-agency communication breakdowns.
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar W2C issue right now where my employer says they submitted the correction months ago, but the IRS keeps telling me they only see my original W2. I've been going in circles with phone calls and getting nowhere. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like my best bet is to: 1. Get the SSA wage transcript to confirm they have my corrected information 2. Request the CADE 2 transcript from the IRS to see their real-time data 3. Get written documentation from my employer with the SSA submission confirmation number 4. Make an appointment at my local IRS office with all this documentation One question - for those who successfully resolved this, how long did it typically take from when you first noticed the discrepancy to when your refund was actually processed? I'm trying to set realistic expectations for how long this whole process might take. Also, has anyone had issues where the W2C correction affected multiple tax years? My employer made payroll errors that spanned 2022 and 2023, so I'm wondering if that complicates things even more. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's reassuring to know there are actual solutions to this bureaucratic maze!
Your plan sounds solid! From what I've seen in similar situations, the timeline really depends on how quickly you can gather all the documentation and whether the local IRS office can make the manual correction immediately. For me, it took about 4 months total from first noticing the issue to getting my refund, but that included a lot of wasted time with ineffective phone calls. Once I had all the documentation lined up and went to the local office, it was resolved within 2 weeks. Regarding the multiple tax years - that definitely complicates things because you'll likely need separate corrections for each year. The good news is that once you have the process figured out for one year, the second year should be much smoother since you'll already have the employer documentation and know exactly what transcripts to request. I'd suggest prioritizing whichever tax year has the larger refund amount or the more urgent deadline. Some people have had success getting both years corrected in the same appointment if they bring all the documentation organized by year and can clearly explain both discrepancies. One thing to keep in mind - if your employer's payroll errors were systematic, there might be other employees affected too. Sometimes the IRS is more receptive to making corrections when they realize it's not just an isolated case but part of a larger employer reporting issue.
Join the conversation
I'm sorry to hear about your accident and the financial stress you're dealing with, especially with your wedding coming up! While the tax deduction options are unfortunately limited due to the 2018 tax law changes, I wanted to mention a few additional things that might help: First, definitely double-check your loan documents and insurance policy for GAP coverage - sometimes it's buried in the fine print and people don't realize they have it. Also, if you financed through a dealership, they sometimes add GAP without clearly explaining it. Second, make sure you're getting the full value for your totaled car. Insurance companies often use conservative estimates. Get your own comparable vehicle research from sources like KBB, Edmunds, or AutoTrader to support a higher valuation. Document any recent maintenance, new parts, or upgrades (like that sound system you mentioned). Finally, consider consulting with a tax professional about your specific situation. While the casualty loss deduction is largely gone for personal property, there might be other angles based on your complete financial picture that could help offset some of the loss. Best of luck with everything, and I hope your wedding goes smoothly despite this setback!
This is really helpful advice! I'm definitely going to dig through my loan paperwork tonight to see if there's any GAP coverage I missed. The dealership did add a bunch of stuff to my financing that I didn't pay close attention to at the time (I know, I know, rookie mistake). I already started gathering info on comparable vehicles in my area and you're right - the insurance estimate seems pretty low. Found several 2019 Civics with similar mileage selling for $2,000-$3,000 more than what they offered me. Plus I have all the receipts for the sound system and recent brake work I had done. Thank you for the encouragement about the wedding too. It's been such a stressful month but at least now I have a game plan for fighting this insurance valuation!
I'm really sorry about your accident - what a nightmare situation, especially with your wedding coming up! While others have covered the main tax implications well, I wanted to add a few practical thoughts that might help with your overall financial picture. Since you mentioned the timing with your wedding, you might want to consider how this affects your filing status if you're getting married before year-end. Sometimes there can be small advantages to timing certain deductions or income recognition around marriage, though nothing that would offset your car loss directly. Also, if you end up financing a replacement vehicle, keep in mind that if you use the new car for any business purposes (even occasionally for work), you might be able to deduct a portion of the interest and depreciation. It's not much, but every little bit helps when you're dealing with unexpected expenses. One last thought - if your insurance settlement gets delayed and pushes into next tax year, that could actually work in your favor if your income will be lower in 2026. Not that you want delays, but just something to keep in mind for planning purposes. Hang in there, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! This financial stress will pass, but the marriage will last forever.
Thank you so much for thinking about the wedding timing and filing status implications - I hadn't even considered that angle! We're getting married in May, so we'll definitely be filing jointly for 2025. The business use angle is interesting too. I do drive to client sites occasionally for my consulting work (maybe 15-20% of my mileage), so when I get a replacement car that could actually help offset some costs. Do you know if there's a minimum percentage of business use required, or can I deduct even small amounts? And honestly, thank you for the reminder that this is temporary stress. Between the accident, the financial hit, and wedding planning, it's been easy to lose perspective. Your comment about the marriage lasting forever while this passes really helps put things in focus. Sometimes you need to hear that from someone outside the situation!
Join the conversation
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my first year of significant trading activity. One thing I wanted to add based on my research is that even when using the summary approach, it's worth understanding the difference between "covered" and "non-covered" securities on your 1099-B. Most securities purchased after 2011 are "covered" (meaning the broker reports cost basis to the IRS), but if you have any older holdings or certain types of investments, they might be "non-covered" and require individual transaction reporting regardless of your preference. Also, for anyone using FreeTaxUSA like the original poster, I found their help section has a really good walkthrough specifically for 1099-B entry that explains when to use summary vs. detailed entry. It's under the "Investment Income" help topics. The peace of mind from knowing you're handling this correctly is definitely worth the few extra minutes to verify your approach. Better to be confident in your filing than to second-guess yourself later!
Great point about distinguishing between covered and non-covered securities! I made that mistake in my early investing years and ended up having to amend a return. One thing I'd add for anyone checking this - the "covered" vs "non-covered" designation is usually pretty clear on your 1099-B form. You'll typically see separate sections or clear labeling. For covered securities, Box 3 will show "Yes" for cost basis reported to IRS, while non-covered securities will show "No" or be in a distinctly separate section. The FreeTaxUSA help section you mentioned is really comprehensive. I also found their customer support chat to be helpful when I had questions about mixed situations (some covered, some non-covered securities). They can walk you through exactly how to handle the hybrid reporting approach if needed. Thanks for sharing that resource - it's always good to have the software provider's official guidance to back up the community advice!
This has been such a valuable discussion! As someone who just went through their first year with significant investment activity, I can confirm that the summary approach works great when your cost basis is reported to the IRS. One thing I learned the hard way is to double-check that your brokerage correctly calculated any wash sale adjustments in their summary totals. I had a situation where a wash sale from December affected January trades, and the adjustment didn't show up properly in the 1099-B summary section initially. I had to contact my broker to get a corrected form. Also, for anyone using multiple brokerages like I do, make sure you're not double-counting any transfers between accounts. Sometimes what looks like a sale and purchase is actually just an account transfer, and those shouldn't be reported as taxable events. The time savings from using the summary approach is incredible - I went from dreading tax season to actually finishing my investment reporting in under an hour. Just make sure you keep those detailed records somewhere safe. I created a simple spreadsheet with all my transactions as a backup, which gives me peace of mind if I ever need to reference specific trades later. FreeTaxUSA's interface for this has gotten much better over the years. The summary entry process is very straightforward once you have your numbers organized!
This is exactly the kind of real-world experience that's so helpful! Your point about wash sales crossing year boundaries is really important - I've seen people get tripped up by December/January transactions that affect each other. The account transfer issue you mentioned is also crucial. I almost made that mistake myself when I moved some holdings from one brokerage to another. What looked like a sale and repurchase on the individual statements was actually just an ACAT transfer with no taxable consequences. Your approach of creating a backup spreadsheet is smart. Even though we're using the summary method, having that detailed transaction log can be invaluable for things like tracking your cost basis in future years or if you ever need to reconstruct what happened with specific positions. I'm glad to hear FreeTaxUSA's interface has improved. The summary entry really does make the whole process much more manageable, especially when you're dealing with dozens or hundreds of trades. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's reassuring to hear from someone who's successfully navigated this process!
Jade O'Malley
I'm so glad I found this thread! I was literally about to call a tax attorney because I thought I had completely messed up our taxes. Filed an extension as MFS back in April, but after doing more research, MFJ would save us about $2,800. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. It makes perfect sense that the extension is just buying time, not locking in decisions. I was overthinking it because the IRS forms can be so intimidating and the language isn't always clear about what's flexible vs. what's set in stone. For anyone else in this situation - don't panic like I did! Sounds like we have complete flexibility to choose the best filing status when we actually submit our returns. Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.
0 coins
Zoe Gonzalez
•I totally understand that panic feeling! The IRS forms and terminology can be so confusing, especially when you're dealing with significant money like $2,800. I went through something similar last year and kept second-guessing myself even after getting reassurance from multiple sources. What really helped me was writing down all the confirmations I got - from tax software, online forums like this, and even calling the IRS directly. Having it all documented made me feel much more confident when I actually filed. You're absolutely right that sometimes the simplest explanation is correct - the extension really is just buying time, nothing more complicated than that. You'll be fine! Just make sure to double-check your numbers one more time before filing in October to confirm MFJ is still the better choice for your situation.
0 coins
Ravi Gupta
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually a tax preparer and I see this confusion about extensions vs. actual returns come up ALL the time during tax season. You're absolutely correct that Form 4868 (the extension) only requests additional time to file - it doesn't lock you into any specific filing choices. Here's what I always tell my clients: think of the extension as completely separate from your actual tax return. The IRS systems are designed to handle differences between extension filings and actual returns because they understand people need that extra time to make optimal tax decisions. One thing I'd add - when you do file your actual return as MFJ in October, make sure both spouses sign the return (or e-file with both PINs if filing electronically). That's the only real requirement for joint filing that sometimes trips people up. The $3,500 savings you mentioned is definitely worth switching for! I've seen clients save even more by taking advantage of that flexibility during the extension period.
0 coins
Raúl Mora
•Thank you so much for weighing in as a tax preparer! It's really reassuring to hear from a professional who sees this situation regularly. The way you explain it - thinking of the extension as completely separate from the actual return - makes it so much clearer. I really appreciate the tip about making sure both spouses sign the return for MFJ filing. That's exactly the kind of detail I wouldn't have thought about but could cause problems if I missed it. Since we're planning to e-file, I'll make sure we have both of our PINs ready. It's amazing how much stress this has caused when the answer is actually pretty straightforward. Thanks for helping put my mind at ease - now I can focus on preparing our actual return instead of worrying about whether I messed something up with the extension!
0 coins