Just wanted to add my experience - I didn't get my W2 corrected last year (employer reported about $2,100 too much in wages) and I just filed with the correct numbers. Got a CP2000 notice about 6 months later questioning the discrepancy and had to go through the whole explanation process with documentation. Ultimately everything worked out fine, but it was a major headache that took multiple letters and a couple phone calls to resolve. Definitely would have been easier to just push for the W-2c upfront.

I actually just went through this exact situation a few months ago! My employer had incorrect withholding amounts on my W2 (about $800 difference) and I initially tried to just file with the correct numbers from my paystubs. Here's what I learned: Even though you can technically file with the correct information, you should absolutely request a W-2c from your employer. The IRS gets a copy of your original W2 directly from your employer, and when that doesn't match what you reported, it will almost certainly trigger a notice later. I ended up getting a CP2000 notice about 4 months after filing, which required me to respond with documentation proving the W2 was wrong. It was a hassle that could have been avoided if I had just pushed harder for the correction upfront. My advice: Contact your payroll department in writing (email works) and specifically request a "Form W-2c" to correct the errors. Reference the specific boxes that are wrong and include copies of your final paystub showing the correct amounts. If they don't respond within a reasonable time, you can contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 and they'll intervene on your behalf. The peace of mind of having matching documents is worth the extra effort!

6 Have you considered setting up a Dependent Care FSA through your employer? If your mother is physically or mentally incapable of self-care, you might be able to use this to pay for some of her care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Worth looking into.

This is such a complex situation, and I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences! I'm dealing with something similar with my grandmother who gets both SSDI and a small pension. One thing I learned from my tax preparer is that you should also keep detailed records of all the support you provide - receipts for groceries, utilities, rent payments, medical expenses, etc. The IRS support test requires you to provide more than half of someone's total support for the year, and having documentation makes this much easier to prove if questioned. Also, even if you can't claim her as a dependent this year due to the income limit, her disability status might change or her income might fluctuate, so it's worth reassessing each tax year. Some people don't realize that certain one-time payments (like back disability payments) might affect the income calculation differently than regular monthly benefits. The Head of Household filing status suggestion is really valuable too - that alone can save you hundreds in taxes even without the dependent exemption. Make sure to calculate both scenarios to see which gives you the better outcome!

Instead of checking transcripts constantly, set up direct deposit alerts with your bank. On March 15th, I got a deposit notification from my bank a full day before my transcripts fully updated. The IRS processing system and their transcript system don't always sync in real-time. The deposit often happens while the transcript is still in the process of updating.

Based on my experience from the last two tax seasons, account transcripts definitely update first. I usually see the account transcript appear with basic processing codes (like 150 for return filed, then later 846 for refund issued) before the return transcript becomes available. The gap is typically 2-5 business days between them. During peak season (mid-February through April), this gap can stretch longer due to system loads. One thing I've learned is to focus on the account transcript first - it tells you everything you really need to know about processing status and timing. The return transcript is just a nice-to-have for detailed verification.

11 Has anyone noticed if the way TurboTax handles 403b contributions changed from last year? I swear last year it showed me somewhere that it was accounting for these pre-tax contributions, but this year I can't find any mention of it in the review screens.

Just to add another perspective - I work in payroll and can confirm that when we process 403b contributions, they're deducted from gross wages BEFORE we calculate the amounts that go in W-2 Box 1. So by the time your W-2 is generated, Box 1 already reflects your income after the 403b contribution has been subtracted. The Box 12b Code E is purely informational - it tells you and the IRS how much you contributed to your 403b during the year, but it doesn't need any additional tax treatment because the tax benefit was already applied when your employer calculated your taxable wages. TurboTax recognizes this and correctly doesn't make any further adjustments. If you want to double-check, add up all your Box 12 codes that represent pre-tax deductions (like Code E for 403b, Code W for HSA, etc.) and compare that to the difference between your final paystub's gross YTD wages and your W-2 Box 1. They should be pretty close, accounting for any other pre-tax deductions like health insurance premiums.

Here's what you need to know about 810 freezes: - It's an identity verification freeze - Can take 60-120 days to resolve - Don't call IRS until you get a letter - Check your transcript weekly for updates - Use taxr.ai to understand exactly what's happening (saved me so much time) - Once verified, refund usually processes within 2-3 weeks - Make sure your address is current with IRS Stay patient, it's annoying but it will resolve! 💯

Had the same 810 freeze last year and it was nerve-wracking! The key is patience - I know it sucks but the IRS is just being extra cautious with identity verification. Mine took about 6 weeks total from freeze to refund deposit. Make sure you respond to any letters immediately and keep copies of everything you send them. Also double-check that your address is updated with the IRS since that's where they'll send the verification letter. Hang in there, it will get resolved! 🙏