This post should be required reading for anyone who's ever heard those "settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar" radio ads. What you've described matches exactly what a friend of mine went through - paid over $3,000 upfront to one of these companies, then spent 8 months getting the runaround while interest kept accumulating. The psychological manipulation aspect is what really gets me. These companies know people are scared and ashamed about their tax situation, so they position themselves as the "experts" who can handle the big bad IRS. Meanwhile, they're just expensive middlemen doing things you can do yourself. One thing I'd add for people reading this: if you're feeling overwhelmed by tax notices or debt, remember that the IRS actually wants to collect what you owe - which means they're motivated to work with you on realistic payment solutions. They're not trying to bankrupt you; they just want their money. A direct conversation with an IRS agent will often be more productive than months of back-and-forth through these resolution companies. Thanks for taking the time to expose how this industry really operates. Hopefully this saves some people from making expensive mistakes when they're already in a tough financial spot.

As someone who works in financial counseling, I can't thank you enough for this detailed breakdown. I regularly see clients who've been victimized by these companies, and the pattern is always the same - they're charged thousands for basic services they could have handled themselves. What really infuriates me is how these companies exploit the complexity and intimidation factor of tax law. Most people assume that dealing with the IRS requires special expertise, so when a "professional" offers to handle it for them, it feels like a relief. They don't realize that for standard payment plans and basic resolution options, the IRS agents are actually trained to help walk you through the process. I always tell my clients: if a company is spending money on radio ads promising to "settle your tax debt for pennies," that marketing budget is coming from the inflated fees they're charging desperate people. Legitimate tax professionals don't need to advertise with sensational claims because their work speaks for itself. The other red flag I warn people about is any company that asks for payment before they've even reviewed your specific situation. How can they promise results when they don't know what you qualify for? It's because they know most people will end up with a basic payment plan regardless, but they'll charge premium prices for that predictable outcome. Anyone reading this who's currently dealing with tax issues - start with a direct call to the IRS. You might be surprised how straightforward the conversation actually is.

You should get an email from your tax software when its accepted. Check your spam folder maybe?

Pro tip from someone who's been through this - if your return was accepted, you should also be able to call the IRS automated line at 1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts for refund status. It's the same info as Where's My Refund but sometimes works when the website is acting up. Also, if you filed with direct deposit, check that your bank account info was entered correctly - a lot of refund delays happen because of wrong routing/account numbers!

I've been in a similar situation with H&R Block charging excessive fees for complex returns. Here's what I learned: You absolutely have the right to get your original documents back without paying anything for incomplete work. They cannot hold your personal tax documents hostage. Before you go in, call and speak firmly but politely: "I need to collect my original tax documents. The service was not completed and I was not informed of the full pricing structure upfront." Don't let them pressure you into paying for work you didn't authorize at those prices. For next steps, I'd recommend FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct for your Schedule C and capital gains. Both handle complex returns well and cost under $100 total. The software walks you through each section with explanations, and since you already have your business expenses organized, you're well-prepared to do it yourself. The "empty forms" excuse is nonsense - the IRS doesn't require submission of blank forms. That's just a way to inflate their per-form charges. Get your documents back and file yourself. You'll save hundreds and have better control over your return.

I work in tax compliance and can tell you that your experience with H&R Block is unfortunately becoming more common. The $700+ charge for a Schedule C and capital gains return is absolutely excessive - even CPAs typically charge $300-500 for similar complexity. A few important points: First, they legally cannot hold your original documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) hostage. Those are your property regardless of any work they've done. Second, the claim about "empty forms required by the IRS" is misleading - you only need to file forms that contain relevant information to your tax situation. My advice: Go in person to collect your documents immediately. Don't negotiate or explain your reasoning - just state you need your original paperwork back. If they pushback, ask to speak with a manager and mention that withholding personal tax documents could be considered a business practice violation. For filing yourself, FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct will handle your Schedule C and capital gains easily for under $100 total. Since you already have your business expenses organized, you're more prepared than most people who successfully file their own returns. The software provides step-by-step guidance that's often clearer than what you'd get from a rushed tax preparer. Don't let them intimidate you into paying for incomplete, overpriced service. You've got this!

Just went through something similar and want to make sure you know that amended returns are MUCH slower to process. Mine took almost 16 weeks! The IRS says to allow up to 20 weeks for amended returns vs. the normal 21 days for regular returns. So if you're expecting additional refund money, don't count on seeing it anytime soon.

Don't beat yourself up too much about this - it's actually the tax preparer's responsibility to ensure all your documents are included. Since you mentioned you gave them all your paperwork, this is on Jackson Hewitt, not you. The silver lining is that with $2,200 in federal withholding on that missing W-2, you'll likely owe very little additional tax, if any. In fact, depending on your tax bracket, you might even get a bigger refund once you file the amendment! File Form 1040-X as soon as possible to get ahead of any IRS notices. And definitely contact Jackson Hewitt about covering any fees or penalties since this was their error. Most reputable tax prep companies will make it right when they mess up. Keep all your documentation showing you provided complete paperwork to them.

I completely understand your frustration - being financially responsible while your spouse underwitholds is incredibly unfair. Filing separately is definitely possible, but you'd likely lose significant money in the process. The biggest issue with MFS is that you'll both face higher tax brackets and lose access to many credits and deductions that joint filers get. For example, the Child Tax Credit phases out at much lower income levels for MFS ($75,000 vs $150,000 for joint), so you might not get the full $2,000 per child credit you're counting on. Here's what I'd suggest: calculate both scenarios (joint vs separate) using actual numbers to see the total tax impact. Often couples find they're paying $2,000-$5,000 more by filing separately. If filing jointly saves money overall, that savings could cover his tax debt and still leave you both better off. The real solution though is establishing clear financial boundaries. If you file jointly but he continues underwithholding, consider requiring him to adjust his W-4 or set aside money monthly to cover his portion of any tax liability. You shouldn't have to subsidize his poor tax planning, regardless of your filing status.

As someone who's dealt with similar tax withholding issues in my marriage, I want to emphasize that this is really about financial responsibility and communication, not just tax filing status. You're absolutely right to be frustrated - your husband is essentially getting an interest-free loan from the government while you're being responsible with your withholdings. Filing separately might seem like a solution, but you'd likely end up paying significantly more in taxes overall, potentially losing thousands in credits and facing higher tax brackets. Before you make any decisions, I'd strongly recommend sitting down together (maybe with a tax professional) to calculate the actual numbers for both filing scenarios. Show him in black and white how much extra you'd both pay by filing separately. Sometimes seeing the real dollar impact helps people understand why their approach isn't working. If you do decide to continue filing jointly, establish clear ground rules going forward. He needs to either adjust his withholdings to be more appropriate or set aside money throughout the year to cover his tax liability. You shouldn't be subsidizing his poor tax planning year after year. Consider having him automatically transfer a set amount monthly into a separate account earmarked for taxes - that way when tax time comes, the money is already there and it's not your problem to solve.