Don't wait for the letter at all! I went through this exact nightmare last year. The IRS told me they sent a letter. Waited 6 weeks. Nothing came. I finally gave up waiting and called the appointment line (844-545-5640). Told them I never got my letter but needed to verify. They booked me anyway! When I went to my appointment, I just explained I never received the letter. They looked me up in their system, saw I needed verification, and proceeded normally. My refund was released 8 days later. The letters are so backed up it's ridiculous! I actually received mine TWO MONTHS after my verification was complete and refund received. What a joke.

It seems like the consensus here is that you should probably call for an appointment rather than attempting to walk in. I've heard from several colleagues that the TACs are generally quite strict about the appointment policy, though there might be some variation depending on your local office. As for documentation, it would be advisable to bring perhaps more than you think you'll need. This would likely include: your government-issued photo ID, social security card, copies of your current tax return, possibly previous years' returns, any correspondence you've received from the IRS (even if not the specific verification letter), and utility bills or other proof of address. The verification process itself is usually relatively straightforward once you're actually at your appointment, from what I understand. The real challenge appears to be securing that appointment in the first place.

I was probably in a somewhat similar situation last month. Filed on January 22nd and was getting, like, really worried after waiting almost 8 weeks with no updates. I finally got through to an agent who told me my return was essentially just sitting in a queue waiting to be processed - no issues or flags. They said it might take a few more weeks, but my refund actually showed up about 4 days after that call. Sometimes just making contact seems to possibly move things along, at least in my experience.

I reached an IRS agent on March 12th after filing on January 25th. The secret is calling at 7:00 AM Eastern precisely. Not 7:01, not 6:59. Exactly at 7:00 when their systems come online. My issue was they needed to verify my identity because I had moved since my last filing. Once verified, my refund was issued on March 22nd. If you filed with a different address than your previous return, this could be your issue. The IRS is currently processing returns from mid-February according to their latest update on April 3rd.

I was in your friend's shoes three years in a row - tax time was just disappointment time for me 😂 (not really funny when you're counting on that money though). Finally got it sorted last year and actually received my full refund this February! The key was finding out it was an old state tax debt from when I moved between states. I set up a payment plan with my former state's revenue department, made consistent payments for 6 months, and then requested they release me from the offset program. Tell your friend not to give up - it feels amazing to finally break the cycle and actually get your refund!

I've helped several family members through this exact situation. Here's my experience with the process: 1. The TOP hotline will only give basic information - which agency has the debt and how much 2. Each type of debt has different resolution options: - Federal student loans: rehabilitation programs or consolidation - Child support: must work with state child support agency - State taxes: contact that state's department of revenue - Federal taxes: IRS payment plans or Offer in Compromise 3. Some debts can be disputed if they're incorrect 4. Once arrangements are made, get written confirmation that the debt holder will remove the offset It takes persistence but is absolutely resolvable. The worst thing your friend can do is ignore it, as interest and penalties often continue to accrue.

You might want to consider FreeTaxUSA as a possible middle ground. They generally charge around $15 for state filing, but federal filing with Schedule C is completely free. Their interface is perhaps a bit more comprehensive than Cash App Tax, though admittedly not quite as polished as H&R Block. Many users find their guidance for self-employment income to be reasonably thorough, especially if you're somewhat familiar with the basic principles of business expense deductions.

I compared multiple platforms for my DoorDash income ($18K last year). Here's what I found: • Cash App Tax: Free but confusing UI for business expenses • H&R Block: $89.99 but caught all deductions • TurboTax: $119 and pushy upsells • FreeTaxUSA: $15 (state only) with decent guidance The Cash App interface literally asked me ONE question about mileage while H&R Block had a comprehensive section covering everything from hot bags to phone mounts. Ended up with $1,200 more in deductions with H&R Block.

Be extremely careful about how you submit your W2! Last year my sister faxed her W2 to what she thought was the right department, but it wasn't properly routed to her case. Her refund was delayed for 5 months, and she had to start the verification process all over again in June. Did your tax preparer specifically tell you which form or notice number you received? Was it a CP05, CP75, or something else? Have you checked your online account at IRS.gov to see if there's a specific notice?

I successfully resolved this exact issue last month! (Tax season: where the odds are never in your favor, lol.) I asked my tax preparer for the specific notice number, called the IRS using the number on that notice, and they provided the exact fax number for my case. I sent my W2 with a copy of the notice and received confirmation of processing within 10 days. My refund was deposited exactly 16 days after faxing the documents. Make sure you get a fax confirmation page and keep it until your refund arrives!