I'm going through a very similar situation - applied for my EFIN in late January and it's been stuck on "in process" for over 7 weeks now. The timing couldn't be worse with tax season in full swing. After reading through all these responses, I think I'm going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned. The idea of having someone else deal with the IRS hold times while I can actually work with clients sounds like a godsend right now. The fact that even the skeptics here ended up having success with it gives me hope. One additional tip I learned from my CPA network: if you do get through to someone, ask specifically about your "suitability review" status. Apparently that's the technical term for the background check portion, and knowing where that stands can help determine if the delay is fingerprint-related or something else entirely. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this nightmare, but frustrating that the IRS system seems so broken for something as essential as EFIN applications. Really hoping we all get resolution soon!

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! My EFIN application was stuck for almost 10 weeks during peak season. What I learned is that the IRS e-services system has some serious bottlenecks, especially with the suitability review process that involves both background checks and fingerprint verification. A few things that helped me finally get resolution: First, when calling the e-help desk, ask specifically about your "suitability review status" and whether there are any "quality flags" on your fingerprint submission. Second, if you've been waiting over 60 days, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service - they have some ability to intervene in cases of unreasonable delays. One thing that really caught my attention in the responses here is how many people found success with services like Claimyr and taxr.ai. I was initially skeptical too, but honestly, when you're losing clients and revenue every day, sometimes you need to try unconventional solutions. The IRS phone system is genuinely broken for most people. Also, make sure you're checking your e-services account daily. Sometimes they'll post messages or requests for additional information that aren't immediately obvious. I missed a request for clarification on my business address that sat there for two weeks because I wasn't checking the right section of the portal. Hang in there - most EFIN applications do eventually get approved, but the communication during the process is absolutely terrible. Hope you get resolution soon!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - after you file your taxes using Form 4852, your former employer might suddenly "find" and send you your W2, especially if the IRS contacts them. If this happens AFTER you've already filed, you might need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) if the information on the W2 is different from what you reported. In my case, my ex-employer sent my W2 about 2 weeks after the filing deadline, and the actual withholding was about $300 more than I had estimated. I filed an amended return to get that additional refund. Just something to keep in mind - this might not be completely over even after you file!

I went through this exact situation two years ago and it was incredibly stressful! One additional step you might want to try before going the Form 4852 route is contacting your state's Department of Labor or equivalent agency. They sometimes have more leverage with employers about wage and hour violations, and failing to provide W2s can be considered part of that. In my state, I filed a complaint online about my employer not providing my W2, and within a week the Department of Labor contacted my former employer directly. Suddenly my "unreachable" boss was able to send my W2 via email the next day! It's worth a shot since it's usually free and might save you from having to estimate your withholdings. Even if it doesn't work, you'll have additional documentation showing you tried every avenue to get your W2, which can be helpful if the IRS ever questions your Form 4852 filing. The other advice here about Form 4852 is solid though - if the Department of Labor route doesn't work, don't let it delay your filing. You have good options to move forward without the official W2.

Just to add something that might help - I work in a university HR department (not sharing which one for privacy). The rules about Medicare Qualified Government Wages for student employees can vary based on: 1) Whether your university is public or private 2) If it's during academic year or summer 3) Your credit hours (must usually be at least half-time) 4) Hours worked per week (usually must be under 20) 5) Whether your primary relationship with the school is as a student or employee If you're primarily a student who happens to work there (rather than primarily an employee who takes classes), that's a key factor. Your school's payroll office should have a specific "Student FICA Exemption" form or process to ensure you're classified correctly.

Don't forget to check if your university is a public or private institution! This matters for the "Medicare Qualified Government Wages" question. Public universities are considered government employers, while private ones aren't. For public university student workers, your W-2 will often have Box 5 (Medicare wages) amount different from Box 1 if you qualify for the student exemption. For private universities, the rules are slightly different. Also, the IRS has a "safe harbor" rule where if you are enrolled full-time OR work fewer than 30 hours/week, you're generally considered a student first, employee second for FICA purposes.

Is anybody else noticing more delays with tax forms this year? I got a 1099-NEC in February that had the wrong amount, then a corrected one in March, and now I just got a THIRD one with yet another "correction." At this point I don't even know which one to use.

This is exactly why I keep meticulous records of all my freelance income throughout the year! Late 1099s are unfortunately super common - I've dealt with this multiple times. The company will face penalties from the IRS for the late filing (ranges from $50-$280 per form), but that's their problem, not yours. Since you were already tracking the $5,800, you're in great shape. Just report it on Schedule C as planned and don't delay your filing. One tip for the future: I always send a gentle reminder email to clients in early January asking about 1099 timing. It doesn't guarantee they'll be on time, but it sometimes helps catch these issues earlier. The "system issues" excuse is pretty weak - most payroll systems have automated 1099 generation these days. You're doing everything right by keeping your own records. That's honestly more reliable than waiting for forms that may be late, incorrect, or never arrive at all!

Have you checked if your tax software actually completed the transmission? Sometimes there's a final confirmation step you need to take. I've seen people think they filed but the return was actually saved as a draft. Also, what does the message say exactly? Is it "Pending" or "Still Processing"? Those mean different things in the IRS system.

Three days is actually pretty normal for the pending stage! I know it's stressful when you need that refund money, but the IRS system is just really backed up right now. I filed mine about 2 weeks ago and it took 5 days to move from pending to accepted, then another week to get approved. The key thing is to make sure you're checking the right place - are you looking at your tax software's status or the official IRS "Where's My Refund" tool? Sometimes the tax prep companies show "pending" even after the IRS has accepted it. Try checking both places to get the full picture. Also double-check that you didn't get any rejection emails in your spam folder - sometimes small errors can cause delays that aren't obvious right away.