


Ask the community...
just wondering did u tell ur boss in writing why u were quitting? my friend won her case bc she sent an email explaining exactly why she was leaving and how they violated labor laws etc. without that they can just make up whatever reason they want
One more tip - for your appeal hearing, create a simple timeline document showing: 1. Your original job duties/hours when hired 2. Each significant change with exact dates 3. Each time you complained/reported issues 4. Any responses from management 5. How your working conditions differed at the end vs. beginning Administrative judges appreciate organization and clarity. Keep emotions out of it and stick to facts. And if you can show you tried to resolve the issues before quitting, that strengthens your case significantly.
I had an overpayment issue too when I was on unemployment in 2023... took me FOREVER to reach anyone. When I finally did, they told me they had my payment but it was applied to the wrong quarter or something ridiculous like that. Make sure when you finally reach someone that they check ALL parts of your account, not just the current balance!
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! Used the special Thursday window that someone mentioned here AND had sent an email with all my documentation. The agent confirmed exactly what someone here suggested - my payment got flagged for "verification" because it was made from a new bank account (I switched banks in December). They found my payment in their system, removed the late fee, and said it should be properly applied to my account within 3-5 business days. They're also putting a note that no additional fees should be added while this is processing. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help and suggestions. This community saved me from completely losing my mind this week!
This is actually covered in IRS Publication 525 under "Repayments." I think its called the "claim of right doctrine" or something like that. Basiaclly since you received it in 2023 and thought it was yours at the time, you have to report it on your 2023 taxes. Then when you repay in 2024, you get either the deduction or credit in 2024. The credit is definitely better if your repayment is over $3000, which yours is. I use TurboTax, not FreeTaxUSA, but I'm pretty sure any tax software can handle this for your 2024 taxes. I just wouldn't trust their customer support reps to know all the details on stuff like this.
Thank you for mentioning the specific IRS publication! I'll look that up. The "claim of right doctrine" gives me something specific to research. Maybe I'll try FreeTaxUSA for this year's taxes since I just need to report the full amount on my 1099-G, then consider switching to something else or using a CPA next year for the repayment credit part.
To summarize what others have said, but with a bit more tax code specificity: 1. For 2023: Report the full amount from your 1099-G ($8,200) 2. For 2024: You'll have two options since your repayment was over $3,000: a. Take an itemized deduction on Schedule A (less favorable) b. Take a tax credit under IRC Section 1341 for the tax you paid on that income in 2023 (more favorable) FreeTaxUSA should handle the basic reporting for 2023 just fine. For 2024, you might need more help with the Section 1341 credit. I'd recommend saving about $200-300 for professional tax help next year unless you're very comfortable with tax calculations.
Thank you for breaking it down so clearly with the specific tax code reference! This makes me feel much better about what to do. I'll use FreeTaxUSA for 2023 since that part is straightforward, and then plan ahead for getting professional help with my 2024 return when I'll need to deal with the Section 1341 credit.
Just wanted to follow up - after you visit WorkSource, make sure to get the name of the person who assists you and request that they document your visit in your claim notes. This creates a paper trail showing your efforts to resolve the issue. Additionally, if it's been 10 weeks, you might qualify for a hardship expedition based on your housing situation. Specifically mention to both your state representative and WorkSource that you're facing potential eviction. This can sometimes fast-track your claim review.
good luck tomorrow at WorkSource! just a heads up you might want to get there when they open, sometimes theres a wait and they can only help a certain number of people each day. i had to wait like 2 hours but it was worth it
Victoria Stark
I've been on unemployment for nearly 18 months now (had to switch from regular UI to extended benefits at one point) and I've found the phone system to be fine for basic claims with no special circumstances. BUT if you have anything unusual to report like hours worked at multiple jobs or holiday pay or anything like that, I strongly recommend using the website. The phone system just isn't designed to handle complex situations. It's pretty much designed for people who either worked zero hours or have a simple single-employer situation with regular hours. Just something to keep in mind!
0 coins
Aidan Hudson
•That's a good point I hadn't considered. I only have the one part-time job right now, so it should be straightforward enough for the phone system to handle. Hopefully my internet gets fixed soon so I don't have to deal with this again next week!
0 coins
Benjamin Kim
I always file by phone and never had problem! Just make sure you listen for the confirmation number at the end and write it down!!! Thats how you know it worked for real
0 coins
Aidan Hudson
•Thanks - I'll definitely make sure to wait for and write down that confirmation number. Seems like that's really important based on everyone's feedback.
0 coins