Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! This really puts my mind at ease knowing it's selective rather than universal. @ThunderBolt7 your airport security analogy is perfect - that's exactly how I'll think about it now. @Keisha Jackson that's interesting about both spouses needing to verify separately. I'll keep an eye out for another letter for my spouse, though nothing has arrived yet. I think I'll go with the ID.me online verification since several of you mentioned it's much faster than scheduling an in-person appointment. Has anyone had issues with the online verification not working properly, or is it pretty reliable? I'd rather not have to fall back to the TAC appointment if I can avoid it.

I can add some perspective as someone who works with tax preparation software. The IRS uses machine learning algorithms that analyze patterns in returns to flag potential identity theft or fraud. Your MFJ status change is definitely a common trigger, but so are things like significant income changes, new dependents, first-time homebuyer credits, or claiming certain refundable credits like EITC or Child Tax Credit. The system doesn't "know" these are legitimate changes - it just sees deviations from your historical filing pattern. From what I've observed, about 6-8% of returns get flagged for verification each year, with higher rates during peak filing season (February-March) when most fraudulent returns are submitted. The good news is that once you complete verification, you're much less likely to be selected again unless there's another significant change in your tax situation.

Anyone else notice that TurboTax mobile app doesn't support all the same forms as the desktop version? I tried using it last year for my side business and had to switch back to desktop for Schedule C. Has this been fixed in the newest version?

I'm in a similar situation - had to sell my laptop last year and now only have my iPhone and iPad. I've been using TurboTax Online (the web version) through Safari on my iPad for the past two years and it's worked great for my situation with mortgage interest, student loan interest, and charitable deductions. The key thing is to make sure you choose TurboTax Online, not try to download the desktop software. The online version has all the same features as the desktop version - I've compared my returns from when I had a laptop and the deductions found were identical. One tip: keep all your tax documents in your Photos app or a cloud service so you can easily access them while filling out forms. The iPad screen is plenty big enough to have the tax form open while referencing your documents. I actually prefer it now to the desktop experience!

Does anyone know if receiving a 1095-C affects your tax refund? I declined my employer's coverage because my spouse's plan was better, but my tax refund was way less than last year.

This is a really common source of confusion! The 1095-C form serves multiple purposes for the IRS, and one key thing to understand is that it's not just about what coverage you actually had - it's also about what coverage was available to you. Your employer is required to report the "Employee Required Contribution" (line 15) for the lowest-cost self-only coverage that meets minimum requirements, regardless of whether you enrolled or not. This information helps the IRS determine if you were offered "affordable" coverage, which can impact things like eligibility for premium tax credits if you got coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace instead. The $111 amount you're seeing is essentially a data point for tax calculations - it doesn't mean you were charged that amount. Since you declined coverage and aren't seeing payroll deductions, everything sounds correct on your end. Just keep the form with your tax records, as you may need to reference it when completing your tax return to answer questions about health coverage offers from your employer.

Pro tip: Go to your local tax office in person if you can. I did that last week and they helped me right away. Better than waiting on hold forever.

I went through this exact same thing last month! Had the same verification message for 7 weeks before it finally cleared. The key is definitely calling - I got through on my third try by calling right at 8 AM when they open. The rep told me that the verification process has been taking 6-8 weeks this year due to new fraud prevention measures, but once you hit that 6 week mark you can request an expedited review. They were actually really helpful and my refund was released 3 days after I called. Don't give up!

Just want to add another perspective here as someone who's dealt with this situation twice now. The first time I used Priority Mail for my tax return, I was panicking just like you. But after doing a ton of research and even calling the IRS directly (after waiting on hold forever), I learned that Priority Mail tracking absolutely counts as acceptable proof of timely filing. The IRS Publication 17 specifically states that a return is considered filed on time if it's "properly addressed, contains sufficient postage, and is postmarked by the due date." Priority Mail provides that postmark evidence through its tracking system, which creates an official USPS record of when they accepted your package. What really put my mind at ease was learning that the IRS processes millions of returns sent via Priority Mail every year. It's not some unusual situation - many taxpayers use Priority Mail, especially for last-minute filings when they want faster delivery than regular mail but don't want to pay extra for Certified. My advice: Print your tracking info immediately, keep your receipt, and maybe take a photo of the envelope if you still have it. You've got solid documentation that will hold up if there's ever any question. The postal worker gave you bad information about the services being "the same," but you're definitely not screwed!

I'm a tax attorney and I want to address some of the confusion in this thread. Priority Mail does NOT provide the same legal protection as Certified Mail for tax filings, despite what several commenters have claimed. The IRS regulation 301.7502-1(c)(1)(i) specifically states that for the "timely mailing as timely filing" rule to apply with private delivery services or non-certified mail, you need proof of proper postage AND that the item was deposited in the mail on or before the due date. Priority Mail tracking only shows when USPS accepted the package into their system, not necessarily when YOU deposited it. Certified Mail provides a specific receipt (PS Form 3800) that serves as legal evidence of the exact date and time YOU handed the item to postal personnel. This is crucial distinction that could matter if the IRS ever challenges your filing date. While Priority Mail might work in practice most of the time, it's not equivalent legal protection. For future reference, either e-file or use Certified Mail for tax returns to ensure you're fully protected under Treasury regulations. The small extra cost for Certified Mail is worth the peace of mind and legal certainty. That said, for your current situation, keep all your Priority Mail documentation - it's better than nothing and may still be accepted, especially if delivery is confirmed.