Tax return fiasco

[2earls]

I'm trying to file my damn taxes with Turbo tax and it's become a disaster.

When I get to the end it won't let me file, keeps telling me I need to fix something that doesn't even apply to me so it takes me to this weird page and locks me in an endless loop of "you can't do that ".

I think it's a software glitch and the only answer is to try and spend Monday with a helpful tax assistant. Sounds right up there with a root canal. Already tried to just print it to mail in and it won't let me do that either.

Not sure why this is getting to me as badly as it has. I never have panic attacks or anything like that, but I felt like I was freaking out a little bit over it and really had to get a grip. Maybe the little things are finally starting to amplify from all the other shit going wrong? 

The positive is that we're getting a refund and I am going to spend some of it on a long overdue new phone. Yay! My phone deserves a thread of it's own, it looks like an 80s sat phone.

 

[jm1105]

I did turbo tax and had that happen.. It kept saying check form line whatever and I’d go check and there’s nothing wrong.. I got mad and stopped working on it for a few days… I tried it again and got the same thing.. Then after a few times trying something popped up and said something like do you want to delete this item..  And I had seen it pop up before but I thought I had accidentally hit something to make it pop up..  I was scared to delete anything because I didn’t know what it was but this time I hit delete and it fixed it.. I Don’t know if this helps any but at least you know it’s not just you..: )

 

[stephberger]

Taxes are THE worst. Hope you get it resolved. Doesn’t TurboTax have like a forum you can ask questions on? Maybe they could resolve it. It definitely sounds like a software glitch. 

 

[Frank White]

I used Taxslayer this year because I wanted to file for free and Turbotax wouldn't let me. I think there are other options on the IRS site too.

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/browse-all-offers

Good luck!

 

[mountaincat9]

@2earls your braver than me!  You lost me at software clitch!!  I'm always amazed by anyone who can file their own taxes & not end up popping k-pins like chicklets!  Keep us posted on this journey.  Good luck!  

Congrats on the refund!!

 

[2earls]

I did turbo tax and had that happen.. It kept saying check form line whatever and I’d go check and there’s nothing wrong.. I got mad and stopped working on it for a few days… I tried it again and got the same thing.. Then after a few times trying something popped up and said something like do you want to delete this item..  And I had seen it pop up before but I thought I had accidentally hit something to make it pop up..  I was scared to delete anything because I didn’t know what it was but this time I hit delete and it fixed it.. I Don’t know if this helps any but at least you know it’s not just you..: )

If only I will get so lucky! 

@Frank Whitethis is definitely going to be my last year with Turbo Tax and I really like the sound of Taxslayer. 

But I will not be a happy camper if I end up having to start over again. We don't have enough deductions to itemize, but we do have some dividends and stock sales that keep it from being a ten minute breeze.

Of course I would prefer to file for free, but if I have to pay the  $90 or whatever they want for the cheapest version I will happily do so just to get it over with. (Hey, maybe it's all an intentional sales plot?).

@stephbergerI tried using the help chat and you either have to sift through previously answered questions  (did you find this helpful? Somewhat? Not at all?) Or you ask your own question and wait/hope anyone will answer with a clue what you are talking about. Since my patience is already exhausted I'm going to make one of their consultants suffer through this with me. You would think they have some way to override the glitch.

I mean what are they going to tell me? Sorry, you can't file your taxes with us? Hope that isn't a possibility. Will have a nice Xanax at the ready this round

 

[mountaincat9]

I spend $120 every year to have my accountant do them for me.  I already know going in how lame I am in the technology ring.  @2earls I can't stand those damn help chats there such a pain in the ass & never seem to answer my question.  So yes make the agent suffer through with you while you decompress a bit with mommy's little helper!

 

[Handsley]

All is I can say is don't ever incorporate a business.  It costs me almost $600 for accountant to file my tax return and scanning in 2 inches of paper. Takes me a day or two to get it all sorted out.  I am absolutely scared to death I will owe.  What the government and these software packages do to us as far as stress is way beyond what any person can take.  I am waiting for the day when the whole country has a nervous breakdown like a few did this week.  I am so right there with you.  Look at every box that you filled in very carefully that you didn't accidently put a number or a letter in.  The error sounds like that to me.  Good luck to you.  

 

[ToddM]

Same issues here @2earls - I filed Feb 13, day after allowed to, told I'd receive state and fed when accepted (which both did, immediately, as nothing changed for me in 10 years using TurboTax) was told by them I'd receive the direct deposit by March 6th - State, was in my bank exactly 3 days after with no prob whatsoever - Federal however - STILL saying being processed today, after giving me March 6th receiving date. Now it's April 19th, STILL nothing and can't get a hold of anyone human by phone, found several numbers to call even by their own app and even tried using identity theft line (just to get a hold of someone human) but nothing, nodda. I'm so effin' enraged, I've now been evicted, being disabled already, I was relying on that and blew through my rain day money just to survive after burying my mom, which is fine, just saying why I had nothing left already on disability and trying to work odd end jobs missing a leg. I can't get any answers from anyone at IRS or Turbotax now, NEVER has this happened in my entire life. I'm so frustrated and thankful for this site to keep me sane as I see so many others going through similar issues and pain. I hope everything works out with the tax issues for everyone in this thread. God bless y'all. 

 

[mountaincat9]

Damn @ToddM you are for sure struggling with everything you've been  through.  I'm sorry your getting the short end of the stick with the IRS.  I hope this sorts itself out soon for you.  Sorry to hear about your mom that's tough I know.

 

[Handsley]

@ToddM, can they evict people now.  I thought it was forbidden because of COVID?  No one understands that we still need help.  Everything isn't hunky dory just because of a vaccine and the pushback on the deadlines for filing and such.  I am so sorry what you are going through.  Perhaps that return will come through and you can pay your rent.  I've been through some horrific times where the hits just keep coming and I know what that feels like.  Good luck to you.

 

[2earls]

Hallelujah! After a 71 minute phone call to the help line I have finally filed. It took 2 customer service people to solve the mystery and I had one of them stay on the line with me while I finished the state portion in case of other issues. 

Normally we don't have state taxes here in Nevada, but the husband worked in California in 2020. I'm sure relieved to get that over with and am excited to get my long long overdue new phone with the return. 

@ToddMthe way I got a live person was by continually asking questions in the online help section and answering "not at all helpful " to every response until they offered to have a person call me. In case you are still having trouble.

 

[ToddM]

Thanks so very much @2earls - I am gonna give it a try in the morning. If I get it worked out, I am buyin' us season tickets to the Las Vegas Raiders home games with my refund haa. Well, that's my fave team. Really appreciate. Thanks again. 

 

[2earls]

Thanks so very much @2earls - I am gonna give it a try in the morning. If I get it worked out, I am buyin' us season tickets to the Las Vegas Raiders home games with my refund haa. Well, that's my fave team. Really appreciate. Thanks again. 

That would be fabulous if I wasn't one of the 2 or 3 people who live in northern Nevada. I'm originally from the Bay area so I have a soft spot for the Raiders. They were closer in Oakland, but who doesn't love to go to Vegas?

Anyway, good luck.

 

[fisher220]

@2earls ive used that software for years and never had a issue until trying to file this year...i think it was the addition of all the questions related to the pandemic.  needless to say i spend the extra money to get the audit support only to get audited.  i tried to refile in order to avoid the audit which became a nightmare.  i think i may look at different software or just biting the bullet and pay someone..sorry i realize this response it dated but relevant seeing as i still havent got my money...hope it all worked out for you.

 

[2earls]

@fisher220 I still have a while to wait for my refund so don't have the final success to report yet. But I think I may switch too, although like you I have used TT for 5 or 6 years now without any problems. Before that I was paying first a CPA and once I ran out of money Hewitt which was still expensive in comparison to doing it yourself. 

I have never paid extra, just for the basic edition and I have never been audited (knock on wood ). The glitch I ran into was caused by donating to some charity on my last tax return which once again proves one of my favorite sayings - no good deed goes unpunished. 

 

[2earls]

Another year, Another tax time fiasco. Why do I keep trying to do this myself? Well this year it turned out it was a good thing I didn't pay a tax preparer $500 or whatever they charge now because I owed when I thought I would get a refund.

One of my husband's employers didn't withhold enough taxes or he screwed up his W4. Probably a combination of both. Anyway it was a true last minute filing and now I can return my attention to our wonderful group here.

PS I can't believe my eyes when I pick up the mail and there is a letter saying I need to amend my 2020 return. I have all the luck! But I guess if they waited this long they can wait a little longer since it's a huge matter of $162. Sheesh

 

[Biskoinferno]

Another year, Another tax time fiasco. Why do I keep trying to do this myself? Well this year it turned out it was a good thing I didn't pay a tax preparer $500 or whatever they charge now because I owed when I thought I would get a refund.

One of my husband's employers didn't withhold enough taxes or he screwed up his W4. Probably a combination of both. Anyway it was a true last minute filing and now I can return my attention to our wonderful group here.

PS I can't believe my eyes when I pick up the mail and there is a letter saying I need to amend my 2020 return. I have all the luck! But I guess if they waited this long they can wait a little longer since it's a huge matter of $162. Sheesh

Litterly every person that Always got money back every year now owes this year .... We're all like Wtf ..... I said see told ya all this covid money they would get back one way or another... Now it's gas,food, tobacco ect all on the rise also .... We're in a dying age area IMO , I hate to say it

Regards