Don't Call the IRS!!
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181717)
United States
December 3, 2021 12:32pm CST
Because we just sold our rental home (Thank God), we will have to pay taxes on the proceeds. Accounting for the sale is quite a complicated task and requires at least 3 separate tax forms.
Yesterday I called the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) to order whatever tax forms I would need to report the sale. I was on hold for 40 minutes. It made no difference what day of the week I called or what time of the day...every time I called the automated voice said it would be over 30 minutes. The forms were not available yet; but fortunately I will not have to call back...they will ship them when they become available.
Many companies have an option for an automatic call back when your turn comes up in the queue. The IRS does not have this option...they should.
Can you imagine the back-up when tax season rolls around? I wonder if they are feeling the pinch with lack of employees just like so many other companies are experiencing?
Have you had to wait on the phone for a long time recently?
Photo Credit: PIxabay
14 people like this
15 responses
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
3 Dec 21
I put my phone on speaker and just continued watching TV. It made the wait easier.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44721)
• Staten Island, New York
3 Dec 21
I had no idea you had to report the sale of your house to the IRS. I guess it's considered income so had to be reported. I wonder how much will be taken away from what you made on the house.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
3 Dec 21
I will also have to figure out how much the tax will be by the middle of January and send in an estimated tax payment or we will be penalized. The form to do that is also very complicated and confusing. May have to have a tax professional help out this time.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (44721)
• Staten Island, New York
3 Dec 21
@LindaOHio Ah, so you don't report it come time to file taxes? It's a separate thing?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
3 Dec 21
@lovebuglena You must pay a certain percentage of what you owe ahead of time (there are four quarters that you can do this) or else you will be penalized. The fourth quarter (when the sale took place) is due around mid-January I think.
@LadyDuck (472081)
• Switzerland
5 Dec 21
@LindaOHio I always do the same, put the phone on speaker and continue to do my own business.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
5 Dec 21
Me too! I had the phone on speaker and watched TV while I waited.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Dec 21
Many times I have had to be put on hold and just a handful of times got an answer, The other times I hung up. Now I have a complaint with a survey site that doesn't seem to be able to verify me to get payment, Tried calling no way and also emailing, Finally, I won, They are sending me a paper check remember those? to finally verify me, I am so glad this problem is over,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Dec 21
@LindaOHio never heard ot them but thank you for letting me know I wil check them out
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
5 Dec 21
I'm glad you're getting your check. Have you ever tried Prolific for surveys? They are slow right now; but several of us have been making steady money there.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
4 Dec 21
They actually ramp up after the 1st of the year. this is US Federal vacation season so they are short staffed.
in theory you can go to IRS.Gov and print most if not all the forms you need!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
5 Dec 21
The problem was that I didn't know what forms I would need.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
6 Dec 21
@DocAndersen NP. My next problem will be trying to figure out how much to make the estimated tax payments for and then trying to figure out the complicated process of filling out the sale of a rental property forms. I think it's beyond my knowledge. May have to hire a professional.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
5 Dec 21
@LindaOHio that is the worst - that does require that call. sorry.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36041)
• Philippines
6 Dec 21
Company should hire more employees to answer phone calls.
I remembered calling the internet provider and waited longer than the usual. The longest hold I have ever experienced.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
7 Dec 21
Yes. You would think that a government agency would be well staffed.
@wolfgirl569 (108150)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Dec 21
Not recently. Glad you got through finally
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
4 Dec 21
Yeah, I hope I don't have to call again.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41747)
• United States
4 Dec 21
Hope they get the forms to you. I know it's a relief to have your other house sold.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
4 Dec 21
I think they are suffering from the same employee shortage that so many other companies are facing. We in the US haven't figured out yet why people don't want to work.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
5 Dec 21
It sure is. I put the phone on speaker and watched TV while I waited.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35735)
•
4 Dec 21
Now that's something to complain about Linda 
I find dealing with agencies like that so aggravating. I've had that happen with insurance and cable service.
I find dealing with agencies like that so aggravating. I've had that happen with insurance and cable service.1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
4 Dec 21
40 minutes is totally unacceptable. I put the phone on speaker and watched television while I waited.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35735)
•
4 Dec 21
@LindaOHio Yes, I've done the same or fooled around on the computer.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (84226)
• Rupert, Idaho
3 Dec 21
Sorry to hear that, sounds very frustrating for sure!
1 person likes this
@crobyghost (178)
• United States
8 Dec 21
Just wondering but are the forms not available online?
many government agencies have their forms online that you can print off so you don't have to wait for them in the mail.
Some agencies have the option to even fill them out online and digitally sign them.
I know its great talk to someone on the phone but the option of dealing with anything with the government should be digital where possible .
If you haven't already looked into this I would strongly suggest you do.
Good luck with the IRS
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
9 Dec 21
Thanks; but the 2021 forms are not available as yet online.
