This is the very, very, very abridged version of events. I’m just so relieved this is finally over and wanted to share.

- 2020 I get a letter saying I owe $XX,XXX in back taxes from 2017. I’ve never even made that much in a year before so no way I owe that much. It must be a mistake. I spend dozens of hours on hold and on calls with the IRS to find out the issue. During this time I also get seize property letter. They quite literally have made a couple typos: a couple duplicate entries and one with an extra digit. (Ex: $355,000 instead of $35,000) I naively think it should be an easy fix.

- they only communicate by fax so I send all the info they requested. Letters from payers, explanation of the error, etc. They confirm receipt, but say they need more time. Throughout this process it takes 6-18months between communications.

- eventually IRS says what I/payers claim doesn’t match their records. I go in person to the IRS office and even they are stumped. The actual IRS office said I could try a “Hail Mary” (their exact words) and have the payer submit a corrected return. The issue: that would be lying to the IRS because there was no incorrect info sent to the IRS. Payer was not willing to lie to the IRS.

- I called soooo many tax people and they were all stumped and had never heard of such a thing. The tax settlement lawyers are scammy, plus I don’t actually owe this amount so I don’t need a settlement. One tax person suggested contacting my congressperson as part of their job is to help constituents when they hit roadblocks in normal government processes. They took on my case and worked on it for over a year with a frustrating circle of “we have record of X” without ever showing proof beyond their own account print out and us submitting our proof of what was actually submitted.

- eventually I learned about a free tax clinic at the local university. They worked on the case for over a year including me filling out so many forms and requesting reviews (don’t recall the exact terms for all these steps) and finally discovered the IRS had sent some notice to an address I didn’t live at anymore (despite updating my address) and since I never received it I’d apparently missed the chance to contest the amount. WTF?!?!

- because if that missed deadline on a form I never received, I first had to either get on a payment plan for the bogus debt or be declared unable to collect due to income.

- oh, and all this time the IRS has been keeping my tax returns to put toward the bogus debt

- around this time the first round of appeals was denied in writing which was the complete opposite of what the account manager had told my lawyers. While I was filling out the extensive financial documents my file got to some higher level IRS person who finally realized how stupid this all was and said give them 60 days to fix it.

- typically claims for refunds can only go back 3 years, but the lawyers fought for all the tax returns.

- 2.5 months later I got a fat check for all the tax returns they’d been keeping over the years plus interest. Today, I got the letter from the IRS correcting the mistake and giving a rundown of the refunds.

This chapter is finally over. Phew.

Hired an EA, payment went from $800 to $2,400/mo. Has anyone actually reduced or eliminated IRS debt?
My spouse and I file jointly and owe about $131k to the IRS for 2017 through 2022. We hired an enrolled agent to help us. Instead of lowering our payment, the process ended up with our returns getting audited, and our installment agreement went from $800 a month to $2,400 a month. It feels like the firm we paid made things worse.
Now I get dozens of calls a day from tax relief companies promising to settle for "pennies on the dollar." The ads show people who owed almost a million and paid $1,500. The more I look into it, the more it seems like a marketing play to collect fees. The "Fresh Start program" they all push isn't a special deal. It's an old IRS initiative, and these companies use the name to make regular IRS options sound like something only they can get you.
Our situation:
One W-2 income plus my spouse's 1099 commission income, which is uneven month to month
I get VA disability (100% rating), so it's nontaxable, but I know the IRS still counts it in their ability-to-pay math
We have about $30k in a joint account that covers all our bills, and we need some of it as an emergency fund
We're current on all filings now
What we're looking at:
Re-doing the agreement with a new 433-F based on our actual expenses
A partial-pay installment agreement that would let the older years reach their collection deadline
First-time penalty abatement plus reasonable cause
An Offer in Compromise, though I suspect our income rules it out
Questions:
Has anyone gotten their payment cut significantly by submitting a new 433-F?
Has anyone actually had debt forgiven or expire through a PPIA or the collection deadline?
Did first-time abatement make a real dent?
If you used a professional who actually helped, what kind was it (EA, CPA, tax attorney), and how did you find someone legit?
At this point I'm starting to think you can't eliminate any tax debt unless you're completely broke with no job. I'd love to hear from anyone who's actually been through this and come out better.

I just received a notice that my refund amount has been reduced. I can't look at my full return right now because freefillableforms is no longer open but when I'm looking at this it doesn't look right to me. It originally said my expected return was $760 and now it has gone down to $127 and I don't understand why? Also I applied for an extension this year and last year, which is why my return is being processed now but I did not receive notice that I am being charged fees for that either year. I am also a college student, I don't know if that would impact it too.

I’m 22 years old. I have three years of tax preparation experience involving forms 1040, 1120(s), 1120, 1065, 1041, 990, and 709. I also hold an active EA credential while performing tax resolution work outside of tax season. I did leave the private sector after the most recent tax season, and I currently work for the State Of Florida as a tax auditor.

Is there a path to becoming an IRS Tax Compliance Auditor that I’m not aware of? As an Auditor with the State, I’m in the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and I Audit companies to make sure that they are in compliance with the regulations pertaining to their licenses.

For the year 2025, I had a company that I worked for a few times who sent out a 1099 with the wrong last name on it. I told her to send one with correct name and she she did BUT, didn't check the " correct " box, when I told her that now I have 2 1099s for double the amount under my SS#, she sent another with $0 but it was for the one with my correct last name, so basically we have one out there for $800 under the wrong name, but right SS #

I filed back in March but now Im seeing that I am getting a letter from the IRS via the USPS, but that was on Wedsneday and it hasn't shown up yet, so would that be some kind of letter regarding this 1099 MESS? and how does it get corrected? And should I call the IRS Monday if the letter doesnt show up to see what its for??

PS my CPA said not to send a 4th letter as it could mix it up more and that since she sent it, she may get a letter too- just want to get some insight because I dont even know what the letter is about and of course Im nervous

TIA

How much do you think you’ll get back for tax refunds for 2026? How much do you usually get back?

I did a 23-25 returns and on 2025 I added the 9465 and it was supposed to be one payment for all the years and I’m afraid it’s only covering 2025. The returns were mailed in separate envelopes

How should I make sure it covers all the years.

So I amended my 2022 return March of 2024. Was told I would have my refund by November. Kept getting told to wait 60-90 days. Got a tax advocate and same thing. Reached out to congressman’s office in May of 2025 they have been working with me since then. I have been told this refund was going to be released atleast 3x had the 290 code with 0s 2 or 3 seperate times. It’s been reviewed by so many different departments. I read on here about a week ago that a refund was stuck in a loop and basically the same thing happening it was set to be released and something happened on the back end. I cannot find that post anymore and was hoping someone could help either find the post or if the person who posted post again so I can screen shot it and send to my congressman’s office. It’s been almost 18 months with the congressman’s office and I don’t know where to go from here.

Hi all,

I am looking into applying for innocent spouse relief for a few years. Long story short, my husband and I own businesses, he repeatedly told me our taxes were filed for years. Once I started the divorce process I found out some of the business taxes were filed (albeit, inaccurately) and only extensions were filed for personal taxes. I have been working to get them amended and filed since I found out. I am fearful we may owe a significant amount to the IRS. My husband has a background in tax/finances and was solely responsible for our finances and worked for our businesses. He did not give me access to accounts. He would reassure me there was nothing to worry about when I asked questions and tell me I was 'overreacting' repeatedly.

Now, I am planning to file after my divorce is finalized. Should I hire an attorney to help me with this or file myself? It seems somewhat straightforward, but I am not sure how to proceed.

Account Tax Record shows this for all yearly summaries but acct transcripts are available ? Is system down?

Hello, I am very worried and any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am an international research scholar from the UK here on a J-1 visa. I started a position here in April 2025, and my taxes were filed in March by the University I'm working at for the 2025 year. As in, because I am international and have little knowledge of tax laws, they have a dedicated group of volunteers who come in and help all the internationals file their taxes each year. We just go along for an hour or two and give all our information and they work through it.

I've just received a letter (actually, it was sent on Oct 1st and I only just checked our joint mailbox - it's hard to open at our apartment complex) from the IRS saying that I have submitted a frivolous tax return. I have 30 days from then (so less than a week now) so submit a corrected tax return. I obviously didn't intend to do anything wrong.

One thing that I believe may have caused this was that I was told during my tax-filing appointment that because I am an international, the UK (where I'm from) and the USA have an agreement whereby anyone here for less than 2 years is exempt from paying taxes. I'm guessing it's just not worth their while to process it all for someone only here temporarily? Anyway, my position is actually likely to extend beyond 2 years, but I was given the option to either pay the tax each year, and if I'm here <2 years, I guess they will pay it back to me when I leave. OR, I can not pay any tax now, and if I stay beyond the 2 years, I must pay it ALL back in a lumpsum during my third year. I chose the latter: to not pay any tax now, and thought I will pay it later, if I stay beyond 2 years. Now I'm concerned this is the cause of me receiving this letter.

ANY advice would be VERY appreciated! Thank you.

I had to call TAS and file 911 form. Then I contacted my local congressman office.

Took TAS and local gov 28 days to finally tell me that u have an agent assigned to my case and look into my refund. My contact date is 10/29. Idk what to expect but no changes in code I just hope this doesnt cause further delays.

Any tips or suggestions for my “contact date” lol thanks all. Hope we all get our refund soon

I am losing my mind trying to deal with the IRS online account portal right now and I am really hoping someone here has run into this or knows how to fix it.

I am trying to pull my records for 2022, specifically looking for my 2022 account transcript and my 2022 verification of non-filing letter. But every other day for the past months, the page just completely blocks me. Under the account transcripts section, it permanently gives me an error saying they were unable to load my 2022 transcript. And when I try to open the 2022 verification of non-filing letter, it doesn't even download a PDF. Instead, my browser intercepts it and throws up a raw XML text tree error page saying the file doesn't have any style information.

I have tried everything I can think of like clearing my cache, changing browsers, opening private windows, and even trying to force rename downloaded files, but nothing works. It seriously feels like the 2022 digital data record is completely broken or missing on their back end.

If anyone has experienced this specific XML error loop or persistent loading error for an older year on the IRS portal, did it ever fix itself, or is that file just dead in their system? If the online portal is completely bugged out like this, what is the fastest way to get a physical or digital copy of a 2022 non-filing letter without waiting months? Is it possible the IRS system just genuinely does not have a clean record of it, which is why it keeps erroring out, or is their web infrastructure just this terrible?

Has anyone experienced something similar?
I electronically filed my 2024 Form 1040, and my return was processed. I also received my refund.
However, I subsequently received an IRS letter stating:

“Your tax return doesn’t have original signatures. Sign and return the declaration at the end of this letter.”

The letter also says the IRS needs additional information to process my 2024 return and instructs me not to file an amended return.

I checked my IRS online account, including my transcripts, and everything appears normal. There are no outstanding balances, notices, or apparent processing issues.

Has anyone received a missing-signature request after their electronically filed return was already processed and refunded?

Could this be related to a duplicate return or an IRS processing error? If you’ve experienced this, how was it resolved?

Hello,

I've posted about this before, but the past year or so I've continuously received mail for a couple and sometimes addressed to them individually, from the IRS.

I've already sent back five letters written with "return to sender, not known at this address"

I am the first and only owner of this home, my street name is long/unique so it's hard to mess up.

I'm at a loss of what to do, as the letters are not stopping and I cannot get through to anyone at the IRS on the phone.

Any guidance I would appreciate, thanks!!

I was wondering if anyone has had to do that and could help me remember the steps they give to verify myself so they can release my tax refund.

It said they wanted to make sure it was me that submitted my taxes I think because I wanted to direct deposit my refund in my girlfriends account since I was locked out of mine after changing phone numbers recently. It said to do the verify me I.D page on the site and I remember they had extra steps they wanted me to do but I forgot so o just tried creating an account and submitting my I.D. But I can never get past that step before getting to finish it by talking to a I.D me agent instead it always says sorry we can’t verify you and that’s it and takes me to the main menu.

I’m wondering if I’m supposed to do the steps in a different order has anyone gotten that letter in the mail and at the bottom it says follow these steps to release your refund if this is not you do nothing and we will assume it was not you but someone trying to steal your identity and block it. I definitely don’t want that to happen.

Thank you for any help!

HR Block filed my 1120S without my review or signature. I told them immediately it had errors on it once I saw it, but it had already been e-filed.

We made the corrections so that my 1040 was submitted with the correct K1 info. However the amended 1120-S has taken time because a woman was out of the office etc.

It's now been a week since the submission of the 1040 and I don't want to trigger a mismatch. Do I need to tell them to hurry up and file the amended 1120-S immediately? It takes several weeks for that to get in the system since amended returns are supposedly all checked by hand. Thanks.

I have filed my amended tax return for 2024 in May 2026 and it was processed on oct 5
I still have not received any refund yet.
I tried calling them but never reached past the voice assistant

Can someone please help, I am really worried

My Dad got a notice saying they have not processed his refund because his account # was not provided. LIARS!!!! It is on the return, I can see it! I verified it!

Also when I submitted the taxes there was a message saying because the refund was over $10,000 they would send a letter. That was the letter they sent.

WTF I am supposed to do?! Called every day this week and "Were sorry...."

I was a victim of identity theft, and after finding all my paperwork, I was able to get a tax advocate involved. My tax advocate submitted requests, and it was ultimately proven that I was a victim of identity theft.

However, the day before my case was resolved and the balance was removed from my account, the IRS took my tax refund for this year to pay the balance associated with the identity theft from 2022.

Last month, my tax advocate submitted a hardship request and some sort of offset release request because I'm potentially facing homelessness.

She told me that all I'm waiting for now is for them to approve the requests so the money can be released into my account. Is that really the last step? Am I literally just waiting for someone to push a button? 😅

I also want to mention that the notices I received regarding my identity theft are no longer showing in my IRS online account. They're not on the website at all! My balance is gone, but I'm missing four notices, all related to the identity theft. The only document I can still access is my IP PIN letter.

I'm starting to wonder if they're just hoping I won't keep fighting for my money or that I'll eventually forget about it. The fact that I have to jump through all these hoops with a tax advocate just to get money back that was taken because of something I was a victim of is absolutely crazy to me.

And, by the way, I started this process TWO YEARS AGO. 😅

Is there anyone here that works there that knows the process or anyone that's been through this and how long did it take you especially after the hardship request I'm terrified