ALSO make sure to check if the fake return reported any gig work (like Uber, DoorDash, etc). My niece had someone file a return showing small amounts of gig income using her SSN. Later we found out someone had created accounts with multiple gig services using her identity! We only discovered it because she tried to actually sign up for DoorDash herself and was told she already had an account. The scammer was running deliveries under her name and SSN, which generated the 1099 forms that showed up on the tax return.

This is absolutely frustrating and I feel for your situation. One angle that hasn't been mentioned yet is that the scammer might be using your daughter's SSN to establish a "clean" tax history before attempting larger fraud schemes. By filing a legitimate-looking return with minimal income, they create a paper trail that makes future fraudulent filings seem more credible to automated IRS systems. Another possibility is that this is connected to synthetic identity fraud - they might be combining your daughter's real SSN with fake personal information to create entirely new identities for credit applications or other financial fraud. The tax return helps validate the SSN as "active" in government systems. I'd strongly recommend requesting a Social Security earnings statement for your daughter online at ssa.gov to see if any employers have reported wages under her SSN that you don't recognize. This could reveal if someone is working under her identity beyond just the tax filing. Also, since they used your actual address, consider that someone with access to your mail or neighborhood might be involved. It's worth checking if any tax documents were mailed to your address that you didn't expect - sometimes scammers file returns hoping to intercept refund checks or IRS correspondence. The IP PIN that others mentioned is crucial - get that set up immediately for next year's filing season.

Has anyone used any specific accounting software to track their real estate marketing expenses? I'm spending about $2,000/month on various marketing channels and struggling to keep everything organized for tax time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you're using your personal vehicle to drive to client meetings, property showings, or marketing events, you can deduct those miles too! The IRS allows you to deduct 65.5 cents per mile for business use in 2023 (it changes annually). I track all my drives to staging locations, client meetings, and even trips to the print shop for marketing materials. It adds up quickly - I deducted over $3,800 in mileage last year just from real estate related driving. Just make sure to keep a detailed log with dates, destinations, and business purpose. There are apps like MileIQ that can help automate this tracking. The key is being able to prove these were legitimate business expenses if the IRS ever asks questions. Good record keeping is everything!

Hey OP, just curious - why do you need an expedited verification letter? I'm in a similar boat and wondering if I should be worried about timeframes.

Have you tried using the IRS "Get Transcript" online service? You can sometimes get verification letters digitally through your IRS account without having to call. Go to irs.gov and look for "Get Transcript Online" - it might save you the phone hassle entirely. I used it last month and got what I needed in minutes instead of hours on hold.

Just to add a different perspective - I'm an LLC owner who moved mid-year last year, and I asked all my clients to update my address for future 1099s. Some did, some didn't, and honestly it made zero difference in filing my taxes. The key thing is that YOU know where you live and where the business operates - that's what determines your tax liability. The addresses on the forms are mostly for the IRS to mail you stuff if needed. Don't stress about getting them changed unless you're not receiving important mail. Focus instead on keeping good records of which income was earned where for your state filing purposes.

This is really helpful to see everyone's experiences! I'm dealing with a similar situation - I have a single-member LLC in Florida (no state income tax) but I've been doing contract work for clients in New York and New Jersey. Some of my 1099-NECs have my Florida business address, others have my home address, and one client even used an old address from when I briefly worked out of a co-working space. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like I shouldn't worry about the address inconsistencies and should focus on documenting where I physically performed the work. Since I mostly work from home in Florida, I'm assuming most of my income is Florida-sourced, but I did travel to NYC a few times for client meetings where I also did some work on-site. Does anyone know if there's a minimum threshold for New York before they start taxing non-resident income? Or should I just plan to file a non-resident return there to be safe?

I work in finance (not a tax pro) but have seen this play out with clients. The pattern usually goes: 1. Notice of tax due 2. Notice of intent to levy 3. Final notice before levy 4. Bank account freeze (this happens FAST) 5. Wage garnishment (they take $ directly from paycheck) 6. Property liens (makes selling impossible without paying tax) 7. Actual seizure of physical assets (rare but possible) Don't panic but don't ignore this! The IRS moves slowly until suddenly they don't. Call them at 1-800-829-1040 and get on a payment plan ASAP. That $42k in savings is definitely at risk of being levied if you don't act.

The IRS definitely has seizure powers similar to what you saw with the Tate brothers, but there are important procedural differences in the US. With your $27k debt, you're absolutely right to be concerned about your $42k savings - bank levies are one of their most common and quickest enforcement tools. Here's what you need to do immediately: 1. **Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040** - Yes, the wait times are brutal, but you need to get on a payment plan before they escalate to levies. Request a streamlined installment agreement since you owe less than $50k. 2. **Consider an Offer in Compromise** - With significant assets ($180k home equity + $42k cash), you might not qualify, but it's worth exploring if you can prove financial hardship. 3. **Request penalty abatement** - Since this was your first time with quarterly payments, you might qualify for first-time penalty abatement, which could save you thousands. 4. **Protect your business funds** - Consider opening a separate business account and moving essential operating funds there while you resolve this. The IRS can freeze personal accounts without warning. Don't wait - the IRS can levy your bank accounts with just 30 days notice, and that $42k you're planning to use for business expansion could be gone overnight. A payment plan will stop collection actions and give you breathing room.