Someone filed my 2023 taxes without my knowledge - IRS nightmare! Help!
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle. Someone filed my 2023 taxes without my knowledge, and now I can't file them online myself. I called the IRS and they gave me another number to call, but it's been a real hassle getting through. Has anyone dealt with this before? What steps should I take to sort this out and file my taxes correctly?
23 comments
Anastasia Kozlov
Oof, that's rough buddy. Identity theft is no joke when it comes to taxes. First thing's first, you need to file an Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039) with the IRS ASAP. This alerts them that someone's using your info without permission.
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Sean Flanagan
This ⬆️ Form 14039 is definitely the way to go. I had a similar issue last year and it helped get the ball rolling.
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Zara Mirza
How long did it take for the IRS to respond after you filed the form? I'm in the same boat and wondering how long I'll be treading water 🏊♂️
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Sean Flanagan
It took about 3 months for me, but I've heard it can vary. Hang in there!
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NebulaNinja
Man, the IRS is such a clown show 🤡 Why can't they get their act together and make this process easier for us honest taxpayers?
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Luca Russo
I feel your pain, OP. I've been dealing with the IRS for months trying to sort out a similar issue. Here's what I've learned: 1. Document everything. Keep a log of all your calls, who you spoke to, and what they said. 2. Be persistent. You might have to call multiple times before you get someone who can actually help. 3. Consider getting a tax advocate. They can sometimes cut through the red tape faster. 4. Check your credit report to make sure the identity theft hasn't spread beyond your taxes. 5. File a police report. It might seem pointless, but it creates an official record of the fraud. Hang in there, it's a long process but you'll get it sorted eventually!
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Diego Flores
Wow, thanks for the detailed advice! I'll definitely start keeping better records. How long did your whole process take?
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Luca Russo
It took about 6 months all told, but I've heard horror stories of it taking over a year. The key is to stay on top of it and keep pushing.
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Nia Wilson
This is solid advice. I'd add: set up an IRS account online if you haven't already. It can help you track what's going on with your taxes.
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Mateo Sanchez
Have you tried faxing the IRS? I know it sounds like we're back in 1995, but sometimes that gets a faster response than calling or mailing.
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Aisha Mahmood
lol what's next, sending a telegram? 😂 But for real, if it works, it works!
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Ethan Clark
Guys, I found a method to actually get someone on the phone at the IRS. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/IDKN1SpQoEI
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AstroAce
Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Yuki Kobayashi
I'm skeptical. How do we know this isn't just another scam?
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Ethan Clark
I get the skepticism, but it's legit. They don't ask for any personal info, just your phone number to forward the call. Saved me hours of hold time.
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Carmen Vega
Can confirm, I used it last week. Felt weird paying to talk to the IRS, but it beat sitting on hold for 3 hours.
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Andre Rousseau
This happened to my cousin last year. Turns out it was her ex-husband who filed using her info. Make sure you know who might have access to your personal data!
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Zoe Stavros
ugh, why is adulting so hard? taxes should not be this complicated 😫
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Jamal Harris
Preach! 🙌 I swear, sometimes I think the system is designed to be confusing on purpose.
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GalaxyGlider
Has anyone tried using one of those identity protection services? wondering if its worth the money to prevent this kinda thing in the future
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Mei Wong
I use LifeLock. It's not perfect, but it gives me peace of mind. Caught a sketchy credit card application once.
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Liam Sullivan
Honestly, you can do most of what those services offer yourself for free. Just freeze your credit and set up fraud alerts.
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Amara Okafor
Pro tip: If you can't get through on the main IRS line, try calling your local Taxpayer Advocate Service. They can sometimes help push things along.
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