I had a very similar experience last year when I started a second job! In my case, it turned out to be an automatic recalculation of my Canada Workers Benefit. When you start earning additional income, the CRA's system can trigger a reassessment of your eligibility for various benefits. The amount you received ($386.27) sounds consistent with a CWB adjustment. What likely happened is that your new employment income put you in a different bracket for the benefit calculation, and they issued a payment to bring you up to what you should have received. Since you mentioned your CRA My Account isn't working right now, I'd suggest trying again in a few days - the system often gets overwhelmed around benefit payment periods. Once you can access it, you'll see exactly which benefit this was under the "Benefits and credits" section. Don't worry about having to return it - these automated adjustments are usually accurate. But getting the confirmation from your CRA account will give you peace of mind about what it was for.

I just want to chime in as someone who works in tax preparation - this type of surprise deposit is actually very common when people change their employment situation. The CRA's automated systems are constantly recalculating benefit eligibility based on updated payroll information from employers. Given that you started a second job 6 weeks ago, this is almost certainly a legitimate benefit adjustment. The most likely candidates are the Canada Workers Benefit (which adjusts based on working income changes) or a GST/HST credit recalculation. Both of these can trigger mid-year payments when your income situation changes. The $386.27 amount is right in the typical range for these adjustments. I wouldn't stress about it being an error - the CRA's benefit calculation system is quite reliable for these automated payments. Once your My Account portal is working again, you'll be able to see the exact breakdown and confirm which specific benefit it was. Keep the money - it's yours! But definitely check your account when you can access it, just for your own records and understanding of which benefits you're receiving.

Anyone have thoughts on passing the CPA exam? I'm also a B student and worried I won't be able to pass the exams, especially FAR with all the accounting rules. Would it be worth pursuing a tax career if I struggle with the CPA?

As someone who works at a mid-size tax firm, I want to echo what others have said - your VITA experience is actually more valuable than most people realize. We regularly hire candidates who've done volunteer tax prep because it shows they can handle real client interactions and navigate actual tax software. The skills that make someone successful in tax are really different from what makes someone good at financial or cost accounting. Tax work is more about research, problem-solving, and understanding how the code applies to specific situations. You need to be able to read regulations, interpret guidance, and communicate complex concepts clearly to clients. Your B average honestly isn't a red flag at all. I'd much rather hire someone who's genuinely interested in tax and has some practical experience (like VITA) than someone with a 4.0 who's never prepared a real return. The fact that you enjoyed the tax courses and felt confident in them is a much better indicator of your potential success. Don't let that recruiter's question shake your confidence. Focus on what you enjoyed about tax work and be ready to articulate why you're drawn to this field specifically. That passion and interest will carry you much further than perfect grades in every accounting class.

Just want to share a tip I learned from my last CP2000 experience - write "Form 475(f) MTM Trader" in big letters at the top of your Form 4797. My accountant says this flags it for IRS reviewers who are familiar with the special rules. Also, if anyone's using a tax professional, make sure they have specific experience with active traders. My first accountant had no idea about 475(f) and really messed up my return. Ended up costing me thousands in penalties before I found someone who specializes in trader tax status.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My broker (Schwab) also shows wash sales on my 1099-B even though I have a valid 475(f) election. One thing I discovered is that you should definitely keep detailed records of when you made your 475(f) election, including copies of any Form 3115 if you filed one for a change in accounting method. The IRS will want to see proof that your election was properly made before the beginning of the tax year. For the Form 4797 reporting, I've been advised to create a separate schedule that shows the broker-reported amounts, the wash sale adjustments being reversed, and the final amounts reported on Form 4797. Make sure to title it something clear like "475(f) MTM Trader - Form 4797 Reconciliation to 1099-B." Has anyone had experience with multiple brokers reporting different wash sale calculations for the same underlying trades? I'm trying to figure out how to handle overlapping positions across platforms.

PSA: If this happens to you, also check your state tax return! When my federal return was fraudulently filed, the scammer also tried to file my state taxes. I had to go through a similar process with my state tax agency. They actually resolved it faster than the IRS did.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - tax identity theft is incredibly frustrating and violating. Unfortunately, the 6-month wait is pretty standard, but here are a few things that might help: 1. Keep detailed records of everything - dates you called, reference numbers, names of agents you spoke with. This will be crucial if you need to follow up. 2. Consider requesting a taxpayer advocate if your case gets delayed beyond the normal timeframes. They can sometimes help expedite legitimate hardship cases. 3. As others mentioned, definitely get that IP PIN for next year. It's free and prevents this from happening again. Regarding whether the fraudster gets caught - the IRS does investigate, but they typically focus on organized fraud rings rather than individual cases. Many identity thieves use stolen information from data breaches, so they're often part of larger criminal operations that are harder to trace back to individuals. The silver lining is that you WILL get your refund eventually. I know that doesn't help with immediate expenses, but the IRS does make victims whole in these situations. Hang in there!

Has anybody had luck requesting a short-term extension rather than a formal installment plan? I heard you can get 120 days to pay in full without the setup fee.

I went through this exact same issue last month! That error message is incredibly frustrating, but don't panic - it's usually just a timing/processing issue, not a disqualification. Here's what worked for me: First, wait at least 7-10 business days after your return shows as "received" before trying the OPA system again. Even though they've acknowledged receiving your return, it takes time for all their internal systems to sync up. Second, try accessing the system at different times of day. I found early morning (6-8 AM EST) worked better than peak hours when their servers are overloaded. If you're still getting the error after waiting, the 120-day payment extension that Zoe mentioned is a great interim solution while you sort this out. You can request it by calling 1-800-829-1040 (yeah, the wait times are brutal, but it's worth it for the peace of mind). Don't stress too much about a few extra days - the failure-to-pay penalty is only 0.5% per month, so we're talking about a very small amount for a short delay. You've got this!