Has anyone seen H&R Block actually mail Form 8453 for their clients? I'm confused about the process

So here's what's supposed to happen with Form 8453 at tax preparation companies: When you provide supporting documents like Form 8332 (the release of claim to exemption for your child), they should be scanning those into their system. Form 8453 serves as a transmittal document that tells the IRS you're sending in paper forms that couldn't be e-filed. According to IRS procedures, the tax preparation firm (like H&R Block) is supposed to mail the 8453 along with any required attachments to the IRS processing center within 3 business days after receiving confirmation that the IRS accepted the electronic portion of the return. This is typically handled by the office, not left to the individual client. The confusion might be because many documents that used to require Form 8453 can now be scanned and submitted electronically, but Form 8332 specifically still needs to be physically mailed in most cases.

After dealing with a similar issue last year, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which saved me so much hassle with these exact form submission problems. I uploaded my documents to their system and their AI actually flagged that my Form 8332 needed to be properly submitted with Form 8453. They provided clear instructions on how everything should be handled and even gave me the tracking information when the forms were submitted so I had proof. Much better than wondering if H&R Block actually sent my forms or not.

Just wanted to follow up on my earlier question. I decided to try taxr.ai after our discussion here and wow, I'm impressed! I uploaded my previous year's tax documents (I had some issues with form submission too) and their system immediately identified several problems with how my forms were handled. They showed me exactly where my 8453 should have been sent, which my tax preparer had completely missed. I was able to correct everything and their step-by-step guidance made it simple. Definitely using this for all my tax documents going forward!

If you're still having trouble getting answers from H&R Block about your forms, try using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat last year - couldn't get straight answers about whether my 8453 and supporting documents were actually mailed. After getting nowhere for weeks, I used Claimyr to get connected directly to an IRS agent (check out how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). Within 20 minutes, I was talking to someone who could actually check if they received my forms and give me real answers instead of the runaround.

Ok I need to publicly eat my words here. After my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to the IRS about my missing refund and forms situation, so I tried Claimyr as a last resort. I genuinely didn't think it would work, but within 45 minutes I got a call connecting me to an actual IRS representative. I was shocked. The agent was able to confirm they never received my Form 8332 or the 8453 that was supposed to be sent by my tax preparer. Now I'm sending it in myself with certified mail. Saved me weeks of wondering what happened to my forms.

Former tax preparer here. The truth is there's a lot of inconsistency with how these forms are handled. At the company I worked for (not H&R Block), we were supposed to mail all 8453 forms with attachments, but in reality it was very hit or miss. New preparers often didn't understand the process, management was sometimes lax about following up, and during busy season some forms definitely fell through the cracks. My advice: always get written confirmation that your forms were mailed, including when and to what address. If they can't provide that, mail it yourself with tracking. The IRS doesn't care who mails it as long as they get it.

I had the exact same issue last year! I used H&R Block, uploaded Form 8332 for my daughter, and was told they'd mail the 8453. Six months later, my ex got a letter from the IRS saying the dependency exemption was denied because they never received the form. When I went back to H&R Block, they admitted they "couldn't find any record" of mailing it. I ended up having to file an amended return and mail everything myself with certified mail. H&R Block did cover the fees for the amendment since it was their mistake, but it was a huge hassle. Definitely don't just trust that they're handling it!

This is such a frustrating situation that unfortunately happens more often than it should. I work as a tax compliance specialist and see this exact issue regularly. Here's what you need to know: 1. **Immediate action needed**: Don't wait any longer. Contact H&R Block's office manager (not just any employee) and demand written confirmation that your Form 8453 with attached Form 8332 was mailed, including the date and IRS processing center address. 2. **If they can't provide proof**: Mail the forms yourself immediately with certified mail. You can still submit Form 8332 even after the original return was filed - just include a cover letter explaining the situation. 3. **Timeline matters**: The IRS typically processes these within 6-8 weeks once received. If your ex filed claiming the dependency exemption without the supporting form, his return might be in "pending" status or he could receive a notice requesting the documentation. 4. **Protect yourself**: Going forward, always request a copy of Form 8453 and tracking confirmation for any mailed documents. Many preparers are supposed to provide this automatically but don't always follow through. The good news is this can still be fixed, but time is critical. Don't let H&R Block's confusion delay your action any further.