Concerned my tax accountant might be lying about filing extension & penalty abatement request

I'm a tax professional, and unfortunately what you're describing sounds like your accountant is being dishonest. Here's what you need to know: When a tax professional files an extension, they receive confirmation with a unique code that can be verified. Same goes for abatement requests - there's always a paper trail. If your accountant truly filed these things, he should be able to provide receipt numbers or confirmation codes. The IRS system, while not perfect, does log these submissions reliably. It's extremely unlikely they would miss BOTH an extension AND an abatement request. One mistake? Maybe. Both? Almost impossible. Here's what I recommend: First, ask your accountant for specific proof - confirmation numbers, screenshots of submission confirmations, anything concrete. If he can't provide this, you need to move on quickly. Second, file your own abatement request immediately using Form 843 explaining the situation. You can request penalty abatement based on having a good history of compliance (if that's true for you) through the First Time Penalty Abatement program. Also consider reporting this accountant to your state's board of accountancy if he's a CPA, or to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility if he's an Enrolled Agent.

I went through something similar last year and ended up using https://taxr.ai after my accountant messed up my return. Their AI scanned all my documents and tax notices and immediately found that my accountant had actually never filed certain forms he claimed he did. The system flagged inconsistencies between what my accountant told me and what the documents actually showed. What I liked is that it looked at the timeline of all my communications and notices and showed exactly where the discrepancies were. In your case, it could verify if the dates on those "submitted" forms actually match up with what the IRS has on record. It basically creates a full audit trail that either proves your accountant is lying or (less likely) that the IRS made multiple serious errors.

I decided to try https://taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and it was incredibly helpful for my situation. After uploading my IRS notices and the "documentation" my accountant had given me, the system immediately flagged multiple inconsistencies in the dates. The timeline report showed that my accountant had backdated several documents and that the electronic submission IDs he provided weren't even in the correct format used by the IRS. I was able to use this report when filing my own abatement request with Form 843, clearly showing I'd been misled by my tax preparer. The IRS approved my abatement request within 6 weeks - much faster than I expected. Having that organized documentation made all the difference in proving I had reasonable cause due to relying on a professional who misrepresented their actions.

If you're still getting threatening notices, you need to talk to an actual IRS agent ASAP, not just your accountant. I was in a similar situation last year and spent WEEKS trying to get through on the IRS phone lines. Finally found https://claimyr.com and used their service to hold my place in line. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They called me back when an agent was about to be available so I didn't have to wait on hold for hours. The agent I spoke with was able to put a temporary hold on collections while I sorted everything out with documentation. Don't wait until they start levying your accounts or putting liens on your property - those are much harder to undo than to prevent.

I was totally skeptical about Claimyr when I first heard about it too, but after my third attempt waiting on hold with the IRS for 2+ hours (and getting disconnected twice), I decided to try it. I'm actually embarrassed I didn't use it sooner. Their system called me back about 90 minutes after I signed up, and I was connected to an IRS agent immediately. The agent was able to place a 60-day hold on collections while I gathered documentation about my situation (also involving a tax preparer who wasn't honest about filings). This gave me enough breathing room to file my own abatement request properly and get all my documentation in order. For anyone facing IRS collection notices, being able to actually speak to a human makes all the difference. The peace of mind alone was worth it.

You need to fire this accountant immediately. I had something similar happen with an accountant who was going through personal issues that affected his work. Request all your records ASAP before cutting ties - you're legally entitled to them. Also, watch your credit report closely. When the IRS issues liens for unpaid taxes, they show up on your credit report and can absolutely tank your score. In my case, I ended up with a 120-point drop before I got everything sorted out.

There's a simple way to check if an extension was actually filed. Call the IRS at the Practitioner Priority Line (1-866-860-4259) and ask for a "tax account transcript" for the tax year in question. The transcript will show exactly when your return was received and if an extension was filed. This is official IRS data that can't be manipulated by your accountant. You can also request it online through the IRS website if you create an account. The transcript will show every transaction with date stamps. If your accountant really filed an extension, it will appear with code "460" on your account transcript.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's such a violation of trust when a professional you rely on isn't honest with you. Based on everything you've described, I agree with the other commenters that your accountant appears to be lying. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: you should document everything immediately while it's still fresh. Write down all the dates your accountant told you things were filed, save every email and text message, and keep copies of any documents he provided (even the suspicious ones). This documentation will be crucial if you decide to pursue malpractice claims or file complaints with regulatory bodies. Also, since you mentioned this is affecting both federal and state taxes, make sure you're addressing both separately. State tax authorities often have their own penalty abatement programs, and the process might be different from the federal IRS abatement. The $13,000 in penalties is substantial enough that you might want to consult with a tax attorney who specializes in penalty abatement cases. Many offer free consultations and can quickly assess whether you have grounds for both penalty relief and potential recovery from your accountant's errors or omissions insurance. Don't let this drag on any longer - every day those collection notices get more serious, and your options may become more limited.