Check your transcript for code 570 - that means a hold on your account. If you see code 971, that means they sent you a notice explaining whats happening. The combination usually means they're holding your refund for some reason. Pretty common during OIC.

I'm going through something similar right now - filed my OIC about 4 months ago and they've been holding my refund the entire time. What I learned from calling the OIC unit is that they automatically place a "freeze" on any refunds while your offer is being reviewed. The good news is that if your OIC gets accepted, those held refunds do count toward reducing your overall settlement amount, so you're not losing that money completely. If your OIC gets rejected, they should release the refund unless you have other tax debts they can apply it to. The waiting is brutal though - I totally get the desperation! Hang in there and definitely try calling that OIC number someone mentioned earlier to get a status update on your package.

Has anyone had experience with a C-Corp name change that involves a totally different DBA (doing business as) name? We're keeping our legal C-Corp name the same but operating under a completely new brand name. Do we need to notify the IRS about our DBA or just use our legal name on all tax forms?

I went through this exact situation last year with my consulting firm. The fastest method I found was actually a combination approach: 1. File Form 8822-B immediately (as Andre mentioned) - this is crucial for official records 2. Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 the same day you mail the form When I called, I had my state Articles of Amendment ready and was able to verify the name change was legitimate. The IRS representative made a notation in their system that expedited the processing of my Form 8822-B. Without the call, it would have taken 6+ weeks, but with the phone notation, my name change was processed in about 2 weeks. Pro tip: Call early in the morning (8 AM ET) for shorter hold times, and have your EIN, old business name, new business name, and state filing confirmation number ready. The rep will ask for all of these to verify your identity. Also make sure your state filing is completely processed before contacting the IRS - they will verify this during the call. Don't forget to update your business bank accounts and any quarterly estimated tax vouchers with the new name once the IRS confirms the change!

One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you have tax liens already filed against your property, bankruptcy gets more complicated. Even if the underlying tax debt qualifies for discharge, pre-existing tax liens can survive bankruptcy and remain attached to your property. Also, make sure your bankruptcy attorney knows tax law or works with someone who does. I filed bankruptcy in 2023 and my attorney missed some nuances about my tax situation that ended up costing me. Not all bankruptcy attorneys understand the tax implications deeply enough.

Don't forget about state taxes! Everyone's talking about IRS debt but state tax debt has different rules for bankruptcy discharge. Some states follow the federal rules, others have their own standards that make discharge harder. Also, keep filing your current taxes on time even while dealing with bankruptcy. New tax debt created during or after bankruptcy definitely won't be discharged.

Has anyone here actually had problems filing with printed copies of W-2s instead of originals? I'm curious because I've been doing that for years (I always scan my W-2s and print copies to file) and never had an issue. I don't think the IRS actually cares as long as all the information is legible.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! I'm working in Japan and had to file by mail for the first time. One thing I learned that might help - when you print out the photos of your W-2s, make sure they're printed at full size and as high quality as possible. If the photos are blurry or the text is too small to read clearly, that could cause processing delays. Also, I'd suggest including a cover letter explaining your situation briefly - something like "I am currently working overseas and only have access to digital copies of my W-2 forms. I have completed Form 4852 as a substitute and am including printed copies of the original W-2 photographs for verification." Keep it simple and professional. One more tip - double-check that all the information from your W-2 photos matches exactly what you entered on Form 4852. Even small discrepancies in dollar amounts or employer info could trigger questions from the IRS. Good luck with your filing!

Make sure you file as Head of Household if you're eligible! If you're unmarried, paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home for the year, and your daughter lived with you for more than half the year, you qualify. The HOH filing status gives you a higher standard deduction and better tax rates than filing as Single.

Document everything now while it's fresh! Keep records of: - School enrollment showing your address - Medical records with your address as primary contact - Daycare receipts and records - Any text messages where he acknowledges she lives with you - Bank statements showing you pay for her expenses - Utility bills showing she lives at your address Also, consider filing early if possible. While the IRS will sort out duplicate claims, getting your return in first can help avoid delays. If he does try to claim her and your e-filed return gets rejected, you can always mail in a paper return with all your supporting documentation. The stress is real, but you're clearly the custodial parent here. Your ex paying sporadic child support doesn't give him the right to claim her when she lives with you full-time. Stay strong and don't let him bully you into signing away your legitimate tax benefits!