Federal tax refunds on ny unemployment finally hitting bank accounts - check your transcripts!

No problem! I know how much this extra cash means to everyone right now. Glad you're getting something back!

How did you check your transcript? I've been trying to create an account on the IRS website but keeps giving me errors 😩

You need to go to irs.gov/transcripts and make sure you have a credit card, mortgage, or loan account number to verify your identity. That was my issue at first.

Is this for real? I've been trying to reach ny unemployment for 3 weeks with no luck.

Absolutely worked for me. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for weeks. They basically dial for you and wait on hold, then call you when they get someone. Saved me literally days of frustration.

sounds too good to be true... what's the catch? they ask for personal info or something?

No catch that I found. They just call and wait on hold so you don't have to. When they get through to an agent, they connect you. Saved my sanity honestly.

hold up - another 'miracle solution' that actually works? in THIS economy? 🤔 might have to check this out, I've been on hold for literally 4+ hours multiple times

PUA ended a while back, but yes this should apply to all unemployment income from last year including what you got from self-employment. The $12,000 exemption covers all types of unemployment.

Thanks for confirming! Just wasn't sure since everything with PUA was so different and confusing.

That's awesome! Even bigger than mine. Did you have a lot withheld for taxes on your UI payments?

Yeah I had them withhold the full 10% from each payment cause I was worried about owing. Guess that worked out pretty well now lol

Basically the COVID relief bill that passed in March made the first $12k of unemployment benefits tax-free for 2020. But since most of us had already filed our taxes by then and paid taxes on all of it, the IRS is now automatically refunding the difference. So you're getting back whatever taxes you paid on that first $12k of benefits.

Ohhhh that makes sense now! So I don't need to do anything to get it? Will just show up?

Yep! IRS is processing them automatically. You don't need to file an amended return or anything. Just make sure they have your correct direct deposit info on file.

try early morning like 6am. thats when i could finally get in. too many ppl checking all at once

good tip, thx! will try tomorrow morning

This is super helpful, thank you! Do you know if they're also adjusting state tax refunds or just federal?

That's a great question. The automatic adjustment is only for federal taxes. For state taxes, many states (including NY) are requiring amended returns to be filed to claim the exclusion at the state level.

So we have to file amended NY state returns to get the state portion back? That seems unnecessarily complicated.

Yes, unfortunately. Each state is handling it differently. NY is requiring amended returns for the state portion. I know, it's a pain, but potentially worth it depending on your tax rate.

same here bro. always last in line for the $$$. story of my life

Look for a code 846 - that's the refund issued code. The date next to it is when they'll send the payment. The amount should be listed there too.

Ah found it! Thanks!!! Looks like I'm getting $764 next Thursday!

Did you have to do anything special after you got the callback? I have issues with my claim from months ago that never got resolved.

When the agent called, I just explained my situation and had all my documents ready. Having a real person to talk to made ALL the difference. They were able to override whatever was blocking my claim in their system.

I've been burned by so many 'solutions' for reaching unemployment... what makes this different from just calling yourself?

The difference is they have some way to bypass the hold system. I had tried calling literally hundreds of times myself and could never get through or would be on hold for 4+ hours. With their service, I got a real person on the line same day. Totally worth it when you're desperate.

That sounds like a different issue. The CP2000 means there was a mismatch between what you reported and what was reported to the IRS. Did you include all your unemployment on your return? If not, you'll need to respond to that notice with an explanation or corrected return.

I thought I reported everything but maybe I missed something. This is so frustrating. I'm going to need to talk to someone at the IRS to straighten this out.

Good luck with that... calling the IRS is even worse than calling unemployment! Took me 2 days of calling to get through last time.

You can request it by mail but that takes 5-10 business days. Or you can try calling the IRS transcript line at 800-908-9946 to have it mailed to you.

Ugh that's so annoying. Thanks for the info though.

another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system 🙄 does this ACTUALLY work?

Yeah it actually does. I was just as cynical. But when you're desperate after trying for weeks and getting nowhere, it's worth a shot. The difference is they just handle the calling/waiting part for you, then connect you to the same agents you'd reach normally.

I tried it last week too after seeing it mentioned here. Got a callback within an hour after spending 3 weeks trying to call myself. The agent fixed my issue right away once I actually got to talk to someone.

That's good to know! Could you ask him if there's any pattern to how they're processing them? Like alphabetical or by filing date or something?

He said it's roughly by filing date and complexity. Single filers who filed in January/February are first. Joint returns and those with more complex situations come later.

You really need to talk to someone directly about that. Have you been able to get through on the phone? If not, try claimyr.com - it's the only way I finally got my issues resolved after months of frustration.

lol i've called like 200 times and either get disconnected or sit on hold until they close for the day. might have to try that service cause this is ridiculous

It's automatic for the basic unemployment exclusion. You only need to file an amended return if the exclusion now makes you eligible for credits or deductions you couldn't claim before. With $22K in unemployment, you'd get an exclusion on just the first $12K of that.

Thanks for clarifying! I'll just wait for the automatic adjustment then.

Been there, it's the worst. After 2 months of trying, I finally used claimyr.com to get through to someone. Their service called for me and got me a callback when they reached an agent. Finally got my pending payments resolved in one call.

wait for real? i might have to try that. this is driving me insane and I'm about to be evicted if I don't get my backpay

I can second that recommendation. Used them last month after seeing it mentioned in this sub. Got a callback in about 2 hours and the agent was able to release all my pending payments. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast after months of waiting.