Tax Transcripts - yet another twist

[MM_MS 0]

I printed the pdf of the Tax Transcripts Request form from the IRS web site yesterday. When I got home from work, I found a letter from the IRS. In 2006, I received a tax refund, yet the letter advised that I owed $847 for 2006.

I called the IRS line today and was told that the IRS had made several "internal mistakes" with my account that it would take a while to straighten out. The deeper the customer service rep dug to research what happened, the more mistakes he found. He said he had never seen anything like it.

I explained that I need to have the situation straightened out by the end of the month, as I have to send my tax transcript request to the IRS. My fiance's interview in Turkey is coming up. I added that I didn't think the State Department was going to wait for the IRS to clear things up if it took a couple of months.

He understood my quandary and felt bad. I spent the entire lunch hour on the phone with him. He advised that I bring my tax records to work tomorrow, call again, and fax the paperwork to the IRS when I speak with another customer service rep.

Can you imagine how the consulate officer at the US Embassy in Turkey would react when MS tries to explain that the IRS made a mistake with my 2006 tax records, and that it's getting straightened out. Yeah, right. It feels like a Saturday Night Live skit in the making. Where's Rosanadana when you need her??

Does this K-1 Visa saga ever end ?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!

Edited August 15, 2007 by MM_MS

[bszoom42 0]

I also had issues with my taxes, which prevented me from using tax transcripts.

In 2004, I filed and received a refund.

In 2005, I filed and received a refund.

In 2006, I filed and nothing. (i expected a refund.)

When I called the IRS, they said that they are holding my 2006 refund because they "misplaced" my 2005 return.

So, I mailed them a copy of my 2005 return (overnight, w/delivery confirmation.)

Two months goes by, and they "misplaced" the replacement 2005 return.

So, I faxed them my 2005 return.

A month goes by, and they discovered "data issues inputting the return". They assured me that my return I submitted was correct, and the refund they issued was correct, just that my account is not correct.

Anyway, so now when I call them, its really quite humerous. First the IRS officer is generally rude or short with me, until they pull up my case. Then once they read the case notes, they start apologizing and tell me hopefully they will et the issue cleared up and send me my 2006 refund in 2-3 months.

Anyway, so I am not expecting this to be cleared up anytime soon, so I sent to my fiancee 3 years of IRS returns, W-2s, State Returns, W-2s, and 18 months of PayStubs...

[Caladan 19]

As far as the visa goes, you can use your W-2s & 1099s and your own photocopy of your return to establish income eligibility. The transcript is clearer, but it's not required (unless your consulate specifically asks for it -- the I-134 doesn't require it), and whether the IRS cocked up their end isn't something that should keep you from establishing that you have enough money to support your fiance.

As far as the IRS, god bless ya and good luck. I'm sure it'll be sorted out eventually.

[MM_MS 0]

You sent 18 months of pay stubs? Yikes. Transcripts are simple and clear, rather than mounds of paperwork.

I could include my bank statement which shows the date of the IRS refund. The refund was deposited electronically and the statement indicates Internal Revenue refund which supports my claim (e.g., MS's explanation at the interview) that the IRS made a mistake and is fixing the problem. I have all my W2s and Franchise Tax Board paperwork. Maybe that will be sufficient(?).

You just never know who's going to review the application, who's going to conduct the interview, or which documents theyll want to see. I bet cha, I'll have a pile of email correspondence, phone bills, and photographs -- and they won't ask to see any of it.

I also had issues with my taxes, which prevented me from using tax transcripts.

In 2004, I filed and received a refund.

In 2005, I filed and received a refund.

In 2006, I filed and nothing. (i expected a refund.)

When I called the IRS, they said that they are holding my 2006 refund because they "misplaced" my 2005 return.

So, I mailed them a copy of my 2005 return (overnight, w/delivery confirmation.)

Two months goes by, and they "misplaced" the replacement 2005 return.

So, I faxed them my 2005 return.

A month goes by, and they discovered "data issues inputting the return". They assured me that my return I submitted was correct, and the refund they issued was correct, just that my account is not correct.

Anyway, so now when I call them, its really quite humerous. First the IRS officer is generally rude or short with me, until they pull up my case. Then once they read the case notes, they start apologizing and tell me hopefully they will et the issue cleared up and send me my 2006 refund in 2-3 months.

Anyway, so I am not expecting this to be cleared up anytime soon, so I sent to my fiancee 3 years of IRS returns, W-2s, State Returns, W-2s, and 18 months of PayStubs...

[bszoom42 0]

i don't know what they will ask for - I just wanted to be prepared just in case. If my fiancee has to go back to the embassy with more information, that coul dbe a delay of months.

[bszoom42 0]

As an update to my tax issues, I spoke with the IRS on Friday and they finally cleared up the data issues, and they expect to issue me a refund in the next 3-4 months!