This is a textbook case of tax identity theft that needs immediate attention. The timeline you've described - with a "wrong identifying number" notice from December 2023 followed by a refund freeze in February 2024 before you even filed - clearly indicates someone used your SSN to file a fraudulent return. The 290 code showing just a "$" symbol without an amount suggests the IRS system is struggling to calculate what you actually owe because it's trying to reconcile your legitimate returns with the fraudulent one already in the system. Here's your action plan: 1. Call the IRS Identity Protection Unit at 800-908-4490 TODAY - don't wait for any notices 2. File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) immediately 3. Contact all three credit bureaus to place fraud alerts and check your credit reports 4. Consider freezing your credit entirely until this resolves 5. Keep detailed records of everything The multiple amendments you filed likely complicated things further because now the system has to sort through several legitimate returns plus the fraudulent one. This will take months to resolve, but acting quickly is crucial. Once the IRS confirms identity theft, they typically expedite processing of your legitimate refund, but the sooner you start this process, the better. Don't file your 2025 return until you speak with the identity theft unit about whether you'll need an IP PIN or special procedures going forward.

This is definitely a complex identity theft situation that requires immediate action. The sequence of events - December 2023 "wrong identifying number" notice, February 2024 refund freeze before you filed, and now a 290 code with no amount - all point to someone having filed a fraudulent return using your SSN. The 290 code typically shows "additional tax assessed" with a specific dollar amount, but yours showing just "$" suggests the system can't properly calculate what you owe because it's trying to reconcile your legitimate returns with the fraudulent one already in the system. Here's what you need to do immediately: 1. Call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 - don't wait for notices 2. File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) right away 3. Place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus and check your free credit reports 4. Consider freezing your credit entirely until this resolves 5. Request a complete account transcript to see all activity on your SSN Your multiple amendments likely complicated the situation further since the system now has to sort through several legitimate returns plus the fraudulent one. This will take months to resolve, but starting the identity theft process immediately is crucial. Once confirmed, the IRS typically expedites legitimate refunds. Also, don't file your 2025 return until you speak with the identity theft unit about whether you'll need an IP PIN or special filing procedures going forward. Document everything and keep detailed records - these cases require a lot of follow-up.

This is a really common mistake that happens to a lot of new arrivals! The good news is that it's totally fixable. Here's what I'd recommend based on my experience helping other international workers: 1. **Contact your employer immediately** - HR can update their records and issue a corrected W-2 if needed. Most payroll departments have dealt with this before. 2. **File Form 1040-NR** for 2022 since you were a non-resident alien. Include a brief statement explaining the W-9/W-8BEN mix-up. 3. **Check for treaty benefits** - If you're from a country with a tax treaty, you might be entitled to reduced withholding rates. You'll need Form 8833 to claim these. 4. **Calculate potential refund** - Since your employer likely withheld at US resident rates, you may have overpaid and could get money back. The key is being proactive about fixing it now rather than waiting. The IRS is generally understanding about honest mistakes like this, especially when you're transparent about what happened. Make sure to keep documentation of your entry dates and immigration status in case they ask for verification later. Don't stress too much - this won't cause major problems as long as you file correctly going forward!

I went through this exact same situation when I moved to the US from the UK in 2021! The mix-up between W-9 and W-8BEN is super common for new arrivals - don't beat yourself up about it. Here's what worked for me: I contacted my employer's payroll department right away and explained that I had mistakenly filled out a W-9 when I should have completed a W-8BEN as a non-resident alien. They were actually really helpful and had seen this before. They couldn't retroactively change the 2022 withholdings, but they updated their records for going forward. When I filed my taxes, I used Form 1040-NR and included a brief letter explaining the situation. Since the UK has a tax treaty with the US, I was able to claim some benefits using Form 8833 that reduced my tax liability. I actually ended up getting a decent refund because my employer had been withholding at the higher US resident rates. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. The IRS processed my return normally - no audit or anything. Just make sure you have your entry/exit dates documented and keep copies of your visa paperwork in case they need verification. You're already ahead of the game by catching this before filing season gets crazy!

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was in the exact same situation and getting conflicting advice from different sources. Just to add another data point: I successfully e-filed last month using this approach (foreign income on Line 1a with Form 2555) and my refund was processed normally within 3 weeks. One thing I'd emphasize is keeping detailed records of your foreign pay statements and any foreign taxes paid. Even though you don't have a W-2, having organized documentation of your income sources, pay dates, and any taxes withheld by the foreign country will be invaluable if you ever need to respond to IRS questions. Also, don't forget to check if you qualify for the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) in addition to or instead of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Depending on your situation and the foreign taxes you paid, the credit might be more beneficial than the exclusion. The IRS publication 54 (Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad) walks through the comparison pretty clearly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to hear from people who've actually navigated this successfully!

I've been working overseas for the past 5 years and can confirm what everyone else is saying - your foreign earned income definitely goes on Line 1a even without a W-2. The form language is confusing, but the IRS expects ALL wage/salary income there regardless of documentation type. Here's what's worked reliably for me: Put your total foreign earnings on Line 1a, complete Form 2555 for the exclusion, and attach a simple one-page statement explaining "Line 1a includes $[amount] foreign earned income from [employer] in [country] without W-2, detailed in Form 2555." Keep it straightforward. One tip I haven't seen mentioned - if your foreign employer provided any kind of employment certificate or annual earnings statement (even if it's not a W-2), attach that too. It adds another layer of documentation and shows you're being thorough. I've never had processing delays or audit issues using this approach across multiple tax years. The key is making sure your Form 2555 is rock solid since that's where you'll justify all the income details. Double-check that your foreign income totals match exactly between Line 1a and Form 2555 - any discrepancies there could trigger questions.

OK, small business tax advisor here who specializes in e-commerce. Everyone's given good advice, but I want to clarify one thing: What matters is your ACCOUNTING METHOD. If you use the cash basis accounting method (most small Etsy/Amazon sellers do), then you generally deduct expenses when you pay them. BUT supplies that create an asset with usefulness beyond the tax year are an exception. Forever stamps absolutely fall into that category since they don't expire. You need to deduct them as you use them, regardless of when you bought them. This is called the "12-month rule" in tax speak.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! This has been incredibly helpful. Based on what I'm reading, it sounds like my original idea of buying $25K worth of stamps was way too aggressive and would likely raise red flags with the IRS. I think I'll stick closer to what Miguel and Zainab suggested - maybe buy 6-12 months worth at a time based on my actual usage patterns. Last year I spent about $10K on postage, so maybe I'll do a $5K bulk purchase of Forever stamps at the end of this year and track usage carefully. The storage concerns Miguel raised are definitely something I hadn't considered either. I live in Florida so humidity is always an issue - definitely don't want thousands of dollars worth of stamps getting ruined! Has anyone used a specific system or app to track stamp usage over time? I want to make sure I have good documentation in case of an audit.

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that if you're really struggling to get through on the phone, you can also try visiting your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person. I know it's not as convenient as calling, but sometimes face-to-face can be easier for complex situations. You can find locations on the IRS website and most require appointments, but the wait times are usually much shorter than phone calls. Plus, you can bring all your documents with you and they can review everything right there. The 14-digit control number really is just their internal tracking system - nothing more sinister than that! I was panicking when I first got mine too, but after reading everyone's experiences here, I feel so much better about tackling this. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories! 🙌

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and I totally get the stress you're feeling right now! That 14-digit control number had me convinced I was in major trouble with the IRS, but it really is just their way of tracking your specific case. What helped me the most was breaking it down into steps: First, I read the letter multiple times (I know, boring but necessary). Then I organized all my tax documents for that year before even thinking about calling. When I finally did get through to someone, the conversation was way smoother because I had everything ready. The wait times are absolutely brutal, but here's a trick that worked for me - I called right at 7 AM on a Tuesday and only waited about 15 minutes. Apparently that's one of their least busy times. Also, don't be discouraged if you have to call back - sometimes you get someone who's more helpful than others. In my case, it turned out they just needed verification of some 1099 income that looked different from what my employer reported. Took about 10 minutes to sort out once I had the right person on the phone. You've got this - it's way less scary than it seems! 💪