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Sean Flanagan

How do I get in touch with the IRS about an HSA distribution letter?

I just got this letter from the IRS saying we messed up reporting our HSA distribution on our 2022 taxes. Going back through everything, it looks like our tax guy did mess up the total distribution amount. The thing is, every penny was used for legitimate medical expenses and prescriptions, so we should be fine, right? We already faxed over all the supporting documents showing that our distribution was actually higher than what was reported on the HSA line, but the IRS sent a letter back basically saying "not good enough." There's a phone number for a specific IRS contact in the letter, but it just goes to some automated system every time I call. We've only got 2 days left before the appeal deadline, and I'm starting to freak out. Has anyone successfully gotten through to a real human at the IRS? Or have advice on what to do when you're down to the wire like this? I really don't want to pay penalties on something that was just an honest mistake!

Zara Mirza

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You definitely need to get this addressed quickly since you're up against a deadline. First, try calling the IRS main number (800-829-1040) very early in the morning (right when they open at 7am your local time) as that's when wait times are shortest. Select the options for "tax return questions" and then "other tax questions" to eventually reach a representative. If you keep hitting the automated system with the number on your letter, try this trick: when the automated system begins, don't select any options and stay silent. Many IRS systems will transfer you to a human after several prompts with no response. Since you're on a tight deadline, I'd recommend writing a detailed letter explaining your situation with copies (not originals) of all supporting documentation showing the HSA distributions and corresponding medical expenses. Mail this certified with return receipt so you have proof you responded before the deadline. For HSA distribution issues, you'll need to show both that you received the distribution AND that you used it for qualified medical expenses. Include receipts, EOBs from your insurance, and bank statements showing the payments.

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NebulaNinja

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Does sending a letter actually count as meeting the deadline? I thought you had to resolve the issue by the deadline, not just respond by then?

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Zara Mirza

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Yes, sending a response by the deadline counts as meeting the requirement. The IRS considers the postmark date as the response date, which is why I suggested certified mail with return receipt - it gives you proof you responded on time. The deadline is for responding to their notice, not necessarily resolving the entire issue. Once you've responded by the deadline, the IRS will review your documentation and then either close the case or request additional information, which would come with a new deadline.

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Luca Russo

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I had almost this exact same situation last year with an HSA reporting issue. After days of trying to reach someone at the IRS with no luck, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me analyze my IRS notice and figure out exactly what documentation I needed to submit. It saved me so much time because it used AI to explain what the notice actually meant (in plain English) and gave me a checklist of what documents I needed to prove my case. The system even highlighted exactly what parts of my documents addressed the IRS concerns. I was able to submit everything properly and got the issue resolved without penalties. For HSA distribution issues specifically, it helped me understand I needed to show both the distribution records AND proof that expenses were qualified medical expenses.

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Nia Wilson

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How does taxr.ai actually work? Do you upload your IRS letter to it? I'm always nervous about sharing tax documents with random websites.

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Mateo Sanchez

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Does it actually help you get through to someone at the IRS though? That seems to be OP's main issue - they already know what documents they need to submit but can't get a human on the phone.

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Luca Russo

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You upload your IRS notice (they use encryption similar to what banks use) and it analyzes the document to explain what the IRS is actually asking for and what you need to do. It was designed by former IRS agents so it actually understands the notices. I felt comfortable after reading their security policy. No, it doesn't help you get through to an IRS agent directly. However, it does give you exact instructions on what to submit and how to submit it properly. For my HSA issue, this was actually more effective than talking to someone because I submitted exactly what they needed the first time around. I also got step-by-step guidance on how to document everything correctly.

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Mateo Sanchez

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I was skeptical about taxr.ai that someone mentioned above, but I was desperate with a CP2000 notice about missing 1099 income. Tried it last month and honestly it was incredibly helpful! The system actually translated my IRS notice into plain English and gave me a clear checklist of everything I needed. For my situation, it showed me exactly what evidence the IRS was looking for and how to format my response. The most valuable part was that it explained WHY the IRS was flagging certain items and what specific documentation would address their concerns. My situation was resolved within 3 weeks after submitting the response package it helped me put together. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with HSA distribution issues. It helps you understand the exact documentation needed to prove qualified medical expenses.

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Aisha Mahmood

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If you need to speak with an actual IRS agent quickly (especially with that 2-day deadline), try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation with an IRS notice about unreported income and couldn't get through after days of calling. Claimyr basically navigates all those ridiculous phone trees for you and gets you connected with an actual IRS agent, usually within 15 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was able to explain my situation to the agent, who put a temporary hold on my case while I gathered the needed documentation. This gave me extra time beyond the deadline to properly respond. For HSA issues specifically, the agent was able to tell me exactly what documentation format they needed for qualified medical expenses.

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Ethan Clark

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This sounds too good to be true. The IRS phone lines are notoriously impossible to get through. How does this service actually work? Do they have some special connection to the IRS?

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AstroAce

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I'm sorry but this sounds like a scam. Nobody can get through to the IRS that easily. I've spent literally DAYS trying to reach them. If this actually worked, everyone would be using it.

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Aisha Mahmood

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They use an automated system that continuously calls and navigates the IRS phone menu system until it gets through to an agent. It's the same as if you kept redialing yourself non-stop for hours, but their system does it for you. Once an agent answers, you get connected directly to that agent. No special connection - just technology solving the endless redial problem. They're mentioned in legitimate news sources like Business Insider and Forbes, which is why I tried them. It's not a scam - they just solved a specific technology problem around phone systems. I understand the skepticism though - I felt the same way until I tried it.

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AstroAce

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I can't believe I'm saying this, but I tried that Claimyr service mentioned above after posting my skeptical comment. With a 2-day deadline looming for my own IRS issue (different than OP's but also time-sensitive), I was desperate. It actually worked! I was connected to an IRS agent in about 17 minutes. The agent was able to place a temporary hold on my case while I gathered additional documentation. They explained exactly what I needed to submit and gave me an extension on my response deadline. For anyone with HSA distribution issues like the original poster, getting through to an actual agent makes all the difference because they can often place temporary holds while you gather documentation, especially if you can demonstrate you're actively working to resolve the issue.

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Another option is to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. They're an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. I had an issue with an HSA distribution that was similar to yours and they were super helpful when I couldn't get through to regular IRS channels. Their number is 877-777-4778. You'll need to explain that you have an urgent deadline (2 days qualifies as urgent). Be prepared to verify your identity and provide details about the notice you received.

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Sean Flanagan

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Has anyone used the Taxpayer Advocate Service for HSA distribution issues specifically? Just wondering if they're familiar with these types of cases or if I should try the other options first given my tight deadline.

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The Taxpayer Advocate Service handles all types of tax issues, including HSA distributions. They're especially helpful when you have a deadline approaching and haven't been able to resolve the issue through normal IRS channels. When I used them for my HSA issue, they were very familiar with the documentation requirements and actually helped me understand exactly what I needed to prove qualified medical expenses. The key with your tight deadline is to call them immediately and emphasize the urgency. They can often place a hold on your account while your case is being reviewed.

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Carmen Vega

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Might be too late, but another route is visiting a local IRS office in person. You can schedule an appointment through the IRS website. I know it's not ideal with just 2 days left, but sometimes they have same-day or next-day appointments available if you check early in the morning.

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I tried this approach last year. Just a heads up that appointments at local IRS offices are often booked out weeks in advance. With only 2 days left, this probably won't work unless you get super lucky with a cancellation.

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