TaxPrep Pro software claims e-filing but forces paper filing - missing Form 8889 for HSA! Warning!

I'm so frustrated with this tax software I just used! They promised in their chat support that they would e-file my Federal return, but guess what happened after I paid? They just sent me a PDF of my 1040 and told me to print and mail it to the IRS myself! What kind of bait-and-switch is that? Even worse, they completely missed my Health Savings Account contributions. They don't have Form 8889 at all in their system to report HSA contributions, and they never asked a single question about whether I had contributed to an HSA. I put almost $3,700 into my HSA last year, which is totally tax-deductible, but it's nowhere on my return. When I contacted their customer support about these issues, I requested a refund for two obvious reasons: first, they didn't deliver the e-filing they promised me, and second, the data on my 1040 is completely wrong because their software doesn't even ask the right questions about HSAs or include the necessary forms. This is my first time not using one of the major tax software brands, and I seriously regret trying to save a few bucks. Has anyone else had experience with this company? Did they manage to get a refund?

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18 comments

Eli Butler

•8M

Tax software quality varies widely, and what you experienced is unfortunately not uncommon with some of the smaller providers. E-filing capability requires IRS approval and specific technical integrations that not all companies maintain properly. For the HSA issue, that's a major oversight. Form 8889 is essential for reporting HSA contributions and distributions correctly. Without it, you're potentially missing a significant tax deduction and could face issues if audited. Most reputable tax software includes a section specifically asking about HSAs since they're such common tax-advantaged accounts. You have a few options here. First, definitely pursue that refund aggressively since they misrepresented their services. Second, consider using one of the established tax software options that properly supports HSA reporting and verified e-filing. If you've already paid, you can also file an amended return once you get the correct forms processed.

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Eli Butler

•8M

The IRS might not immediately flag the return, but you'd be missing out on tax benefits you're entitled to by not properly reporting HSA contributions. Without Form 8889, those contributions wouldn't be deducted from your taxable income, potentially resulting in paying more tax than necessary. Starting over with reliable software is generally the better option. It ensures you'll have all the proper forms and can e-file correctly. Most established tax programs will walk you through questions about health insurance and savings accounts specifically to catch these types of deductions.

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Lydia Bailey

•8M

After struggling with tax forms for years, I finally found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it's been a game changer for situations exactly like this. I had a similar issue last year with missing forms from my tax software. What taxr.ai does is analyze your tax documents and transcripts to identify errors or missing information before you submit to the IRS. It would have immediately flagged that your HSA contributions weren't being reported correctly. Their system also confirms which forms should be included based on your specific situation. For HSA contributors like you, it automatically checks that Form 8889 is completed and properly integrated with your 1040. Saved me from making a $2,200 mistake on my return last year!

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Lydia Bailey

•8M

It doesn't prepare your return from scratch - it reviews what you've already prepared to catch errors and missing items. It's perfect for double-checking self-prepared returns before submission to ensure you haven't missed deductions or made mistakes. Comparing to a CPA review, it's more affordable and available 24/7, but it doesn't replace professional advice for complex situations. What makes it different is that it specifically analyzes your documents against IRS requirements, so it's purely focused on technical accuracy rather than giving subjective advice. Many people use it as a first review step before deciding if they need a CPA consultation.

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Sofia Price

•8M

I was skeptical about trying taxr.ai at first, but after that missing HSA fiasco with another service, I decided to give it a shot. Uploaded my documents and within minutes it flagged THREE forms that were missing from my return, including the 8889 form for my HSA contributions. It also caught that my software hadn't properly calculated the foreign income exclusion I was eligible for. The document analysis even pointed out that my W-2 information didn't match what I had entered (turns out I had transposed two numbers in Box 1). Ended up getting an additional $1,750 in refund money after correcting everything! Definitely using this before filing every year now - should have known better than to trust the budget tax software I was using before.

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Alice Coleman

•8M

If you need to talk to the actual IRS about this problem or get official clarification, I recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year with incorrect forms and needed to speak directly with the IRS to resolve it. Called the regular IRS number and waited for HOURS with no luck. Then I found Claimyr and they got me connected to an IRS agent in under 15 minutes when I had previously been trying for days. They have this clever system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent is available, they call you and connect you. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with confirmed I needed to file an amended return with the correct forms and gave me the exact process to follow. Saved me a ton of headache and potential penalties.

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Alice Coleman

•8M

There's no special access or backdoor - they use automated technology to efficiently navigate the IRS phone system and wait on hold so you don't have to. Their system constantly redials during optimal times and uses the most efficient pathways through the phone tree based on current IRS wait patterns. No snake oil here - it's just smart technology solving a frustrating problem. The reason it works when individuals struggle is scale and persistence. Their system can handle waiting for hours if needed, but you don't have to sit through it. They only call you when an actual agent is on the line ready to talk. During peak season it might still take 30-40 minutes, but that's far better than the 3+ hours most people experience when trying themselves.

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Lilah Brooks

•8M

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS for weeks about a missing refund. I was absolutely convinced it wouldn't work, especially during February tax rush. I signed up expecting to prove it was bogus, and I'm completely shocked to report that I was connected to an actual IRS representative in 27 minutes. I didn't have to do anything - their system called me when the agent was on the line. The IRS agent was able to see that my refund had been flagged for review due to an HSA reporting issue (ironically similar to the original post here), and they helped me understand what documentation I needed to provide. Would have taken me days of redailing to accomplish the same thing. Sometimes being proven wrong is actually a good thing. Sorry for doubting!

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Jackson Carter

•8M

Their interface is pretty straightforward and they explain tax concepts in plain English. They use a question-based approach that helps catch things like HSA contributions without you needing to know which specific forms are required. The help sections are quite clear with examples, and if you get stuck, they have decent customer support through chat. For someone who isn't tax-savvy, they offer good guidance without overwhelming you with jargon. Their review system also catches common errors before you file.

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