I want to add another approach that saved me when I was in your exact situation - check with your old health insurance providers! When you enroll in employer-sponsored health insurance, the insurance company keeps detailed records of your employer information, including company names, dates of coverage, and sometimes even payroll department contact info. If you can remember which health insurance you had during those years (Blue Cross, Aetna, etc.), call their member services line and request your coverage history. They can often provide a complete list of all employers who provided you coverage, along with the exact dates. This helped me identify two employers I had completely forgotten about. Also, if you ever contributed to a 401(k) or other employer retirement plan, those financial institutions (Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.) maintain participant records for decades. Even if you cashed out or rolled over the accounts, they should still have records showing which employers sponsored your participation and during what time periods. Another quick tip - if you moved during those years, your old lease applications or rental history might list employment information. Property management companies and landlords often keep tenant files for 7+ years for legal reasons, and these files usually contain employment verification forms with company names and contact information. Don't give up! With all these different sources, you should be able to piece together your employment history. The key is being systematic and checking multiple sources since each one might have different pieces of the puzzle.

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea there were so many different ways to track down old employment information. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is checking with your old auto insurance company. When you get car insurance, they often ask for employment information for rate calculations and keep that data in your policy files for years. I just called my insurance company and they were able to tell me which employers I had listed on my policies during different coverage periods going back to 2019. Also, if you ever used any employee assistance programs (EAP) or wellness programs through work - things like mental health counseling, financial counseling, or gym membership discounts - those third-party providers sometimes maintain participant records that include employer information. It's a long shot, but worth checking if you remember using any of these services. The combination of all these suggestions should really help you piece together your employment history. I'm working through this systematically myself and have already identified 3 employers I had completely forgotten about just from the tips in this thread. Don't lose hope - there are way more resources available than I ever realized!

I've been using Column Tax for the past three years and honestly can't recommend it enough! Made the switch from TurboTax after they kept jacking up their prices and I've never looked back. Last year I got my refund in 6 days with direct deposit, and this year I'm expecting similar timing. The interface is so much cleaner - no annoying popups or upsells every screen like TurboTax. Cost me around $25-30 each year vs the $120+ TurboTax was trying to charge. It handles all the standard deductions really well (student loan interest, charitable donations, etc.) and I've never had any issues with accuracy. Only tip is to have your W-2s and 1099s ready before you start since it moves through the process pretty quickly, but that's honestly a good thing! The whole filing process takes maybe 30 minutes vs the hours I used to spend with TurboTax. Definitely worth making the switch!

I switched from TurboTax to Column Tax this year and it's been a game changer! Filed about 2 weeks ago and got my refund in 9 days with direct deposit. The interface is so much cleaner and more straightforward - no constant popups trying to upsell you on unnecessary features. Paid $35 vs the $150+ TurboTax was going to charge me this year. It walks you through all the same deduction questions (charitable donations, student loan interest, medical expenses, etc.) but without all the annoying hand-holding and sales pitches. The only thing I'd recommend is having all your tax documents organized beforehand since it moves through the process pretty efficiently, but honestly that made the whole experience way less stressful than TurboTax's drawn-out process. Definitely recommend making the switch - the cost savings and cleaner experience are totally worth it!

Same exact situation here! Got my 570 code about 10 days after successful ID verification and I've been checking my transcript obsessively 😭 It's reassuring to see so many people saying this is normal but the wait is absolutely killing me. I keep wondering if I did something wrong during the verification process even though it said "successful." Has anyone tried calling the IRS to ask about timeline or do they just tell you to wait it out?

Been there! Got my 570 code about 8 days after ID verification and I was freaking out thinking something went wrong. But it's actually totally normal - the IRS just needs time to process everything on their end even after successful verification. Mine lifted after exactly 16 days and my refund was approved the same week! The hardest part is just waiting but try not to check your transcript more than once a week or you'll drive yourself crazy (learned that the hard way 😅). Your verification was successful so you're definitely on the right track!

I'm experiencing the exact same thing! Filed my NJ return on March 11th (also my first time dealing with NJ taxes after moving from Virginia) and have been wondering if 3+ weeks with zero updates is normal. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I was starting to worry something went wrong with my filing. The contrast between the 10-day federal refund and this NJ waiting game is pretty jarring! @Avery Davis thank you for that detailed breakdown of processing times by situation - that's exactly the kind of insider info the NJ website should provide but doesn't. I have some freelance income on my return so sounds like I'm in for the longer timeline. At least now I can stop checking that status page every few days and just accept this is the "Garden State special" when it comes to refund speed! 🐌 Appreciate everyone sharing their timelines - makes the wait feel much more manageable knowing we're all in this together!

Just jumping in as another NJ tax newbie! Filed on March 21st and have been lurking in this thread absorbing everyone's wisdom. Coming from Pennsylvania where I got my state refund in about 4 weeks, this NJ timeline is definitely an adjustment! 😅 What's been most helpful is @Avery Davis's breakdown of the different processing categories - I had no idea there were so many factors that could extend the timeline. I claimed both property tax credits and have some side business income, so sounds like I'm firmly in the "extended processing" camp. The solidarity in this thread has been amazing though - it's so much better knowing this glacial pace is just "normal" NJ operations rather than something being wrong with our returns. I've officially given up on that status checker and am just going to pretend I never filed until money magically appears in my account sometime this summer! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community has saved me months of unnecessary stress! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this devastating betrayal during an already incredibly difficult time. What you've discovered is absolutely serious federal tax fraud - forging signatures on IRS documents and Treasury checks are felony offenses that can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Reading through your situation, I'm struck by how systematic his deception was. This wasn't just careless handling of taxes - this was deliberate financial abuse designed to keep you powerless and uninformed about your own legal obligations and financial rights. Here's what I'd recommend as immediate priorities: **Protect your identity immediately:** File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) with the IRS and request an IRS Identity Protection PIN online to prevent him from filing anything else in your name. **Secure evidence:** Use Form 4506 to get actual copies of all tax returns (not just transcripts) - these will show his forged signatures as concrete evidence. Also document every conversation where he deflected your questions about taxes. **File for relief:** Submit Form 8857 for Innocent Spouse Relief - given the documented pattern of forgery and concealment, you have an extremely strong case. Consider also filing Form 911 for Taxpayer Advocate Service assistance. **Report comprehensively:** Contact your state's Medicaid fraud control unit and file a police report specifically for the check fraud, as forging Treasury checks is a separate federal crime. The fact that he suddenly hired an accountant for 2023 when he knew documents would be scrutinized is basically an admission that he knew his previous actions were illegal. You did nothing wrong by trusting your spouse - that's what healthy marriages require. He chose to exploit that trust while committing serious federal crimes. This pattern of financial criminality will work strongly in your favor during divorce proceedings. Courts don't look kindly on spouses who commit fraud and steal marital assets. Stay strong - you're taking exactly the right steps to protect yourself and your child's future.

I'm so sorry you're going through this betrayal during such a vulnerable time. What your ex did is absolutely federal tax fraud and identity theft - these are serious crimes that the IRS takes very seriously. Beyond all the excellent advice you've received about filing forms and reporting to agencies, I want to emphasize something important: please make sure you're taking care of yourself emotionally during this process. Discovering that your spouse has been systematically deceiving you and committing crimes using your identity is incredibly traumatic. Don't hesitate to seek counseling or therapy to help process this betrayal alongside the divorce. Also, consider joining a support group for financial abuse survivors. What you've experienced - being kept in the dark about your own tax obligations while he forged your signature and stole money - is textbook financial abuse. Having the support of others who understand can be incredibly healing. One practical tip: when you meet with the IRS or other agencies, bring someone with you if possible - a friend, family member, or even your attorney. Having support during these conversations can help you stay focused and ensure you don't miss important information while you're dealing with the emotional stress of the situation. You're showing incredible courage by taking action to protect yourself and your child. This pattern of deception and fraud will definitely work in your favor during divorce proceedings. Stay strong - you've got an entire community here rooting for you.