IRS asking for identity verification and old tax docs for refund - help!
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with the IRS. They're asking me to verify my identity and tax return info before they can process my refund. I need to provide previous tax returns and supporting docs like W-2s and Schedule C. Problem is, I'm having trouble gathering all this stuff. Anyone been through this before? Any tips on how to handle this situation or what to say when I finally get through to them?
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Hunter Brighton
Ugh, been there done that. The IRS is a nightmare to deal with. Here's what worked for me: 1. Gather EVERYTHING you can find - old tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, the works. 2. Make copies of everything (they might lose stuff, no joke). 3. When you call, be super polite but firm. Tell them exactly why you're calling right off the bat. 4. Ask for a fax number or mailing address to send your docs. 5. Follow up, follow up, follow up! Don't assume they're processing your stuff. 6. Keep a log of every call - who you talked to, what they said, etc. Good luck, OP! You're gonna need it 😅
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Dylan Baskin
•This is solid advice right here 💯 Especially the part about making copies. The IRS lost my docs TWICE last year.
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Lauren Wood
•Faxing still exists? What year is it, 1995? 🤣
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Hunter Brighton
•ikr? But for some reason the IRS loves their fax machines. Go figure 🤷♂️
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Ellie Lopez
man, i feel for you. the irs is such a pain in the a$$. i had to do this last year and it took FOREVER. just be prepared to wait... and wait... and wait some more.
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Chad Winthrope
Quick tip: If you can't find your old tax returns, you can request transcripts from the IRS website. It's free and pretty quick. Might save you some headache!
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Grace Thomas
•Oh wow, I didn't know about this! Thanks for the tip, definitely gonna check it out.
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Paige Cantoni
•Just a heads up, sometimes those transcripts don't have all the info you need. But its def a good place to start!
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Kylo Ren
Yo, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone without waiting for hours. I used this site called claimyr.com. It's a calling tool that dials through the phone menu, stays on hold, and then connects you when a real person picks up. It costs $20, but it saved me a ton of time and frustration. Here's a video about how it works: https://youtu.be/5jrMesbidvI
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Nina Fitzgerald
•Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit?
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Kylo Ren
•Yeah, it's totally legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it worked like a charm. Saved me hours of hold time.
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Jason Brewer
•20 bucks tho? Idk man, seems steep just to make a phone call.
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Kylo Ren
•I get it, but think about how much your time is worth. For me, not having to sit on hold for 3+ hours was totally worth it.
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Kiara Fisherman
Have you tried contacting your local Taxpayer Advocate Service? They can sometimes help cut through the red tape with the IRS.
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Grace Thomas
•I haven't heard of them before. How do I get in touch with them?
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Kiara Fisherman
•Just google 'Taxpayer Advocate Service' + your state. They have offices all over. They're independent within the IRS and can help with stuff like this.
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Liam Cortez
lol welcome to the club buddy. ive been trying to get my refund for 6 months now. the irs is a joke 🤡
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Savannah Vin
Pro tip: If you filed your taxes through a service like TurboTax or H&R Block, you might be able to access your old returns through their website. Saved my butt when I was in a similar situation!
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Mason Stone
•This! 👆 I totally forgot I had my old returns saved on TurboTax. You just saved me hours of digging through old files!
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Makayla Shoemaker
Anybody else think its ridiculous that WE have to jump through all these hoops? The IRS already has all our info, why make us dig it up again? 🙄
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Christian Bierman
•Preach! 🙌 The whole system needs an overhaul.
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Emma Olsen
•It's all about control, man. Keep us busy with bureaucracy so we don't notice what's really going on 👀
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Makayla Shoemaker
•take off the tinfoil hat bro 😂 its just good old fashioned government inefficiency
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Lucas Lindsey
Hey OP, when you do get through to them, make sure you get a case number or some kind of reference number for your call. It'll make following up way easier if you need to call back.
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