Something nobody's mentioned - if you're literally living in your car, you might qualify for certain tax credits based on low income housing status, depending on your overall financial situation. The Earned Income Tax Credit might apply, and possibly others.

I want to add something important that I don't think has been fully addressed yet. Since you're living in your car full-time, you need to be extra careful about establishing your tax domicile and residency status. This could affect which state you need to file in, especially if you're driving across state lines or staying in different locations. Also, while you can't double-dip on the car rental expense, there might be other business expenses related to your unique situation that you haven't considered. For instance, if you're using gym memberships for shower facilities, or paying for storage units for personal items, these might have business components if they're necessary for you to maintain your ability to work. Keep detailed records of everything, including where you're parking overnight. If you're ever questioned by the IRS, having documentation that shows your car is genuinely your primary business vehicle (not just a place you happen to sleep) will be crucial for maintaining that 100% business deduction on the rental.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and can share what I learned. After getting my trace number, I called back every 2 weeks to check status (I know, painful wait times). The agent told me that trace numbers are assigned in batches and processed in the order they're received. Mine took exactly 7 weeks from trace initiation to refund deposit. One tip that helped me stay sane during the wait: screenshot or write down the exact date you got your trace number and the agent's reference number if they gave you one. When I called for updates, having those details made the conversations much smoother. Also, don't panic if your "Where's My Refund" tool doesn't update - mine showed no progress right up until the day the money hit my account. The trace process seems to happen somewhat separately from their normal refund tracking system. Hang in there - having a trace number really does mean they're working on it, even when it feels like nothing is happening!

I'm in a similar situation right now - got my trace number about 3 weeks ago and checking my bank account obsessively! 😅 Reading through all these experiences is really helpful. It sounds like the 6-8 week timeframe is pretty standard, though some people get lucky with faster processing. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone had experience with traces during tax season specifically? I'm worried that being in peak filing season might slow things down even more than the typical timeline. My refund is for $2,800 and I really need it for some unexpected medical bills, so the uncertainty is killing me. Also, @Sofia Peña, your tip about keeping the trace reference number is gold! I definitely wrote that down after reading your post. Did you notice any pattern in what the agents told you during those check-in calls, or was it pretty much the same "still processing" response each time?

One more thing to consider - if your employer won't issue a W-2c quickly, you can also file your return with the original W-2 but attach an explanation that subtracts the incorrect imputed income. Use Form 8275 (Disclosure Statement) to explain the discrepancy. I did this last year while waiting for my corrected W-2, and my return was processed without any issues. Just make sure to clearly explain why you're reporting less income than what's on your W-2, and attach documentation (marriage certificate, notification to employer, etc.) to support your explanation.

This is such a frustrating situation, but you're definitely not alone! I went through something similar when my company's payroll system didn't properly update my marital status after I got married mid-year. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - when you contact your HR/payroll department, ask them to provide you with a detailed breakdown showing exactly which pay periods included the imputed income. This will help you verify that the corrected W-2c only includes the proper amount (January through April in your case). Also, keep detailed records of all your communications with HR about this issue, including dates, who you spoke with, and what documentation you provided. If there are any delays or pushback, having this paper trail will be helpful if you need to escalate or if the IRS has any questions later. The good news is that once this gets sorted out, you should see a nice reduction in your tax liability since that $16.5k in incorrectly reported income was being taxed at your marginal rate. Hang in there - this is definitely fixable!

y'all really paying these places to borrow ur own money back lmaooo

Been there! Liberty Tax's advance approval usually comes within 24-72 hours, but definitely check your spam folder like others mentioned. Also make sure you have all required docs submitted - missing anything can delay the process. If it's been over 3 business days, definitely give your local office a call to check status.

Does anyone know if there's a statute of limitations on unfiled FBARs? I'm in a similar situation but it's for 2020, not 2022.

I went through something very similar in 2021 with a property transaction in Italy. The key thing I learned is that the IRS really does look favorably on voluntary disclosure before they contact you. I filed my delinquent FBAR about 8 months late and received no penalties. One important detail for your situation: make sure you report the correct maximum balance for 2022. Since you received that $85K deposit in September, your maximum balance would include that amount even though the full transaction didn't complete until 2023. The FBAR requires reporting the highest balance at any point during the year, not just year-end balances. Also, don't stress too much about the timing of filing your 2023 FBAR alongside your tax return in April. The FBAR deadline is actually April 15th with an automatic extension to October 15th (no need to request it), so you have plenty of time to get both years filed properly.