I&#39;m being held hostage by the IRS.

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 May 19

My only CPA friend is kind of an idiot.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 May 19

@andriaperry I have a lawyer friend who specializes in wills and trusts. She's bright. I'll ask her to help me with mine.

2 people like this

Angie

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

14 May 19

@TheHorse Well you need a new CPA friend. Mine is awesome, I may ask him to be over my will.

3 people like this

Jim Bauer

@porwest (78761)

• United States

14 May 19

Ugh. The IRS. Or frankly dealing with ANY governmental body for that matter. I swear the folks at the DMV are sitting on chairs studded with sharp nails they are so wound up. But if the government owes you money I suppose the short term hell is worth it. Somehow this reminds me of one time when I got something in the mail from a civil action lawsuit I was apparently entitled to make a claim on. I filled out four pages of information, sent it off, and got a check in the mail for 7 cents. That's not a joke. It was a check for 7 cents. Never again, I said. I hope you will be getting more than 7 cents from the IRS.

3 people like this

Fleur

@Fleura (29097)

• United Kingdom

14 May 19

I suspect you were taken for a ride by some cowboy lawyers. They make a claim on your behalf but their fees swallow up the compensation for any claim.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 May 19

7 cents. That sounds about right.

2 people like this

Jim Bauer

@porwest (78761)

• United States

14 May 19

@Fleura Yes. That is it exactly. The only people who benefit from a class action lawsuit are the lawyers who bring them.

2 people like this

ParaTed2k

@ParaTed2k (22940)

• Sheboygan, Wisconsin

14 May 19

They're from the government they're here to help lol

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 May 19

LOL indeed!

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 May 19

@TheSojourner Sigh. At least they have Big Bombs so Canada doesn't invade us.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

@TheSojourner Maybe they are and we just don't know it.

1 person likes this

BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (45437)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

14 May 19

Did the letter state how much of a refund? And are you sure this isn't some sort of scam?

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 May 19

It's not a scam. But, no, there was no discussion of a refund amount.

1 person likes this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (61952)

• United States

14 May 19

That does seem to be an appropriate IRS phone number, 1-800-GO2-HELL.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 May 19

Ah, thanks! I was trying to think up the first three digits, but my Very Clever Brain failed me.

1 person likes this

Loretta

@noni1959 (9887)

• United States

14 May 19

I retired from the IRS last year and still hated receiving anything that had their address on it. They are so understaffed, agents, officers, and exam techs are having to take turns manning the phones. Already with a huge case load, they are put further behind. Some will be grumpy. I don't blame you for being upset with the wait. I'm in awe you even got through to someone.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

I've worked for organizations that were pitifully understaffed. It's not fun.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

17 May 19

@noni1959 Yep. There's a "tipping point" where it's impossible to provide really good service, no matter how hard those who "remain" work.

1 person likes this

Loretta

@noni1959 (9887)

• United States

17 May 19

@TheHorse More and more are given way too many cases and yet expect the workers to do a good job.

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

15 May 19

Go to the IRS website and check for the forms, you probably can print them out.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

16 May 19

@TheHorse I would imagine that you have the data you need, on the forms that you already filed.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 May 19

My hunch is that I will be able to. But will they have the data that I need?

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

@BelleStarr That's my hope. I'll start the research process today.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (457412)

• Switzerland

15 May 19

I wish you good luck, I also hate to receive letters from the Tax Department, but if I call they are nice and they reply immediately. The joys of a small country.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (457412)

• Switzerland

16 May 19

@TheHorse I would add a small country that works, Italy is not big, but try to talk with a public officer, you will die waiting on the phone.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (457412)

• Switzerland

17 May 19

@TheHorse What message, got through where?

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

A small country. What a thought!

1 person likes this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

14 May 19

Best of luck there.

2 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

15 May 19

@TheHorse They coming after you.Be prepared.lol KIdding

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

@amadeo I think I'm safe. As long as they don't know about my speaker refinishing and the music I play.

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 May 19

Thanks, Alfredo.

Greg

@xander6464 (40826)

• Wapello, Iowa

14 May 19

I hope the refund is big enough to make it worth it.

1 person likes this

Greg

@xander6464 (40826)

• Wapello, Iowa

15 May 19

@TheHorse You mean Cobra (EXPENSIVE +++++)....The only experience I have with it was when my dad retired and had a few months before Medicaid or something started. I don't remember what the monthly charge was but I recall that it was huge. If you get all that back, or even just half of it, it will be worth all the headaches.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

@xander6464 That's my thought as well. 2018 was not a big money year for me.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 May 19

Yeah, me too. I'm not a tax expert. I switched jobs in the middle of 2018 and had to be on "Cobra" (expensive) insurance for a couple of months. It may have to do with that.

1 person likes this

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (94806)

• Marion, Ohio

14 May 19

Wishing you lots of luck

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205280)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 May 19

Gracias. We'll see how much frustration they can induce as I call this number and that.

1 person likes this

Fleur

@Fleura (29097)

• United Kingdom

14 May 19

I hope the phone lines are not expensive to call, otherwise all your refund money will go before you even get it! I also hope you have a hands-free phone so you don't just have to sit there for hours in end!

2 people like this