Tax Preparer Keeping Part of My Refund and Entered Wrong SSN for Dependent

This is definitely concerning. Have you considered what might be happening here? Is it possible she's charging a percentage-based fee that wasn't disclosed? Or could this be something more problematic like actual fraud? The incorrect SSN could be an honest mistake, but combined with the missing $3,000, it raises serious red flags. Have you reviewed your tax documents to confirm what was actually submitted to the IRS?

You might want to consider getting in touch with the IRS directly to verify what's actually happening with your return. I tried calling them about a similar situation last month, and it was nearly impossible to get through - I spent perhaps 3-4 hours on hold over multiple days without success. I finally used a service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com/?ref=rc) which, for a reasonable fee, secured my place in the IRS phone queue and called me back when an agent was about to answer. It possibly saved me days of frustration, and the IRS agent was actually quite helpful in clarifying what had been filed on my behalf.

I've dealt with this exact situation before. Here's what you need to do: • Request a complete copy of your tax return ASAP • Compare what was filed with what you signed • Document all conversations with your preparer • Contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to verify your actual refund amount • If she's taking more than her agreed fee, report her to the IRS using Form 14157 • Consider filing Form 14157-A (Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit) I went through this nightmare last year and wish someone had given me this checklist. The relief when I finally got it resolved was worth all the effort!

Tbh this happens more than ppl think. I'd recommend getting a copy of ur transcript from the IRS to see exactly what was filed vs what u were told. I used taxr.ai to analyze my transcript when I suspected my preparer was doing smthg fishy. It breaks down all those weird codes and explains exactly what's happening with ur return. Shows u the real refund amount too, so u can confirm if she's skimming off the top.

This is a serious situation that requires a methodical approach. Here's what I recommend: Step 1: Request a full copy of your tax return that was submitted to the IRS. Step 2: Create a paper trail by sending a written request for explanation of the $3,000 discrepancy. Step 3: If she refuses to provide documentation, contact your state's board of accountancy. Step 4: File a complaint with the IRS using Form 14157. Step 5: Consider reporting to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484. I'm concerned that the incorrect SSN might be more than a simple error, especially combined with the missing funds. This could potentially be a pattern affecting other clients as well.

Did your preparer have you sign an authorization form for the refund transfer? I had something similar happen last year where my preparer didn't clearly explain their fees were being taken directly from my refund. I was expecting $7,200 but only got $6,800 and when I questioned it, they showed me the fine print where I had supposedly agreed to their $400 fee. The difference in your case seems way too high though - $3,000 is definitely not a normal preparation fee!

I'm a former tax professional and this situation raises immediate concerns. The average tax preparation fee for a return with dependents is approximately $273, with complex returns reaching around $515. A $3,000 discrepancy is 583% higher than even the most expensive standard preparation fees. Additionally, the SSN error for a dependent typically triggers a Form 11652C verification letter within exactly 21 days of filing. You should immediately request Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) and Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Tax Return) to see exactly what was filed. In my 8 years of practice, I've seen similar cases result in preparer penalties under IRC Section 6694 and 6695.

Have you checked if your preparer is even properly licensed? This sounds worse than what happened to my cousin - her preparer took an extra $500 as an undisclosed "processing fee" but at least they didn't mess up any information on the return itself.