I was in almost the exact same situation a few years ago - hadn't filed since 2014 and needed to catch up on multiple years with missing W2s. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely get those wage and income transcripts from the IRS like others mentioned. The online method is fastest if you can verify your identity, but don't stress if you have to use mail - it's the same information. One thing I learned the hard way: file the oldest year first and work your way forward. Some of the penalties and interest calculations can affect subsequent years, so doing them in order helps avoid confusion. Also, don't panic about penalties if you're actually owed refunds for some years. I was shocked to discover I was owed money for 2 out of 4 years I hadn't filed. The IRS doesn't penalize you for filing late if they owe YOU money. The whole process took me about 3 months from start to finish, but most of that was waiting for transcripts and then procrastinating because I was scared. The actual filing wasn't nearly as bad as I built it up to be in my head. You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started.

I went through this exact situation in 2019 when I needed to file back taxes for 2016-2018. The wage and income transcripts from the IRS are absolutely the way to go - they saved my life when two of my former employers had gone out of business. One tip that I wish someone had told me: when you get your transcripts, don't be overwhelmed by all the codes and numbers. The key things you need are pretty straightforward - your wages (usually in box 1), federal tax withheld, state tax withheld, and any other withholdings. Everything else is just additional detail. Also, if you're really behind like I was, consider reaching out to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service if you run into any roadblocks. They're a free service within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. I didn't know about them until later, but they can be really helpful if you're dealing with multiple years and complex situations. The most important thing is just to start the process. I spent months stressing about it before actually taking action, and the reality was much more manageable than what I had built up in my head. You're already taking the right step by asking for help here!

I've been dealing with bond accrued interest issues for years, and the key thing to remember is that this is essentially a timing difference that corrects itself. When you bought the bond in November 2024 and paid $125 in accrued interest, you were compensating the seller for interest that had built up during their ownership period. Think of it this way: that $750 payment you'll receive in March 2025 includes interest for the entire quarter, including the period before you owned the bond. By subtracting the $125 on your 2025 Schedule B, you're only claiming the interest income for the period you actually owned the bond. The IRS wants to see this matching occur in the same tax year because it provides a clearer picture of your actual economic income from the investment. If you deducted the $125 in 2024 but didn't report any offsetting interest income until 2025, it would distort your income across both years. Make sure to keep your purchase confirmation showing the accrued interest breakdown - you'll need this documentation when preparing your 2025 return.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had a similar situation with municipal bonds last year and made the mistake of deducting the accrued interest in the wrong tax year. The IRS sent me a notice asking for clarification, which led to months of correspondence. What I learned from that experience is that keeping detailed records is absolutely crucial. Beyond just the purchase confirmation, I now also keep a spreadsheet tracking each bond's purchase date, accrued interest paid, and expected interest payment dates. This helps me remember which adjustments to make when preparing returns the following year. For anyone dealing with multiple bond purchases throughout the year, consider setting up a simple tracking system. It's much easier to organize this information as you go rather than trying to reconstruct everything at tax time. The matching principle makes perfect sense once you understand it, but it's easy to forget the details when you're preparing returns months later.

I completely understand your confusion! Code 826 can definitely be alarming when you first see it. From what I've learned through my own experience, this code appears when the IRS receives a Form 1099-INT reporting interest income under your Social Security Number. Since you mentioned investing heavily this year, it's likely related to interest from investment accounts, high-yield savings accounts, or other interest-bearing accounts rather than capital gains (which would show up differently). The good news is that this is typically just part of the IRS's normal income verification process. I'd recommend gathering all your 1099-INT forms and comparing the total interest amounts with what you reported on your tax return. If everything matches up, you're all set! If you notice a discrepancy, you might need to file an amended return, but that's usually a straightforward process. The code itself isn't something to be concerned about - it's more like the IRS keeping track of income information they've received about you.

I had this exact same concern when code 826 first appeared on my transcript! Just to add to what others have shared - this code typically shows up during what the IRS calls their "matching program" where they verify that the income reported on your return aligns with what third parties (like banks and investment firms) have reported to them. Since you mentioned investing heavily this year, it's very likely related to interest income from your investment accounts, money market accounts, or even reinvested dividends that generate interest. One thing I found helpful was checking the date when the 826 code posted - it usually appears several weeks after you file, which is normal timing for their automated verification process. The key is just making sure all your 1099-INT forms are accounted for on your return. If everything matches up, the code is just documentation that they've received the income information and verified it against your filing.

I'm going through this exact same situation and your post perfectly captures the anxiety we're all feeling! I submitted my EFIN application on January 12th and just moved to "In Process" status yesterday, so I'm right behind you in the timeline. The sanitization delay is absolutely maddening - my fingerprints showed delivered on January 16th via FedEx but the IRS didn't log them as received until February 3rd. It's like they're operating in a completely different universe when it comes to mail processing! Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like we're both looking at approval sometime in the next 2-3 weeks, which honestly isn't too terrible considering how backed up everything is. I've been talking to other preparers in my area and it seems like January submissions are tracking for early to mid-March approvals. One thing that's been helping me stay sane is setting up a morning routine like others mentioned - I check the e-Services portal once around 9 AM with my coffee, then force myself to forget about it for the rest of the day. The constant refreshing was driving me crazy and definitely not helping anything move faster! I'm using this waiting time to get absolutely everything else ready - client intake forms, software configuration, security protocols, etc. That way when our approvals finally hit (and they will!), we can start filing immediately instead of scrambling to get organized. Hang in there - we're all in this together and you're definitely not alone in the stress!

I completely understand your stress - I went through this exact same process two years ago and the waiting was absolutely agonizing! The good news is that your status change to "In Process" is actually a huge milestone that means you're in the final stretch. Based on my experience and what I've seen from other preparers, once you hit "In Process" status, you're typically looking at 1-3 weeks for final approval. The IRS has been pretty consistent with these timelines even with all the backlogs they're dealing with. Since you submitted in early January and it's now mid-February, your timing is actually pretty good. I've seen people who submitted in December just getting their approvals now, so you should be coming up soon. My biggest piece of advice: use this waiting time to get absolutely everything else ready. Configure your tax software completely, set up your client intake processes, create your document checklists, and maybe even start gathering documents from existing clients. When that approval hits (and it will!), you want to be ready to start e-filing immediately rather than spending another week getting organized. Also, check your e-Services portal first thing in the morning - I found updates typically happened between 8-10 AM EST. The relief when you finally see "Approved" is incredible, and you'll be so glad you used the waiting time productively! You're much closer than it feels right now - hang in there!

I'm experiencing something very similar with my VA state refund! Mine was issued on 2/14 according to their portal, and it's been 5+ weeks with no check. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm realizing this is way beyond normal delivery times. The mail theft possibility that several people mentioned is really concerning - I live in an apartment complex where packages get stolen regularly, so checks probably aren't safe either. I'm planning to call the VA tax department tomorrow morning using the 804-367-8031 number that @Aisha Hussain provided. Based on @Leila Haddad's advice about calling early on Monday mornings, I'll try first thing at 8am. I'm also going to ask about the certified mail option for a replacement check - definitely worth the extra $3.50 for peace of mind. Has anyone had success getting through to VA tax department on the first try, or should I expect to be on hold for hours like some other states?

As someone who's been dealing with tax issues for years, I can tell you that 6+ weeks for a VA state refund check is definitely outside normal parameters. Based on the experiences shared here, it sounds like you're dealing with either mail theft or a delivery issue. Here's what I'd recommend: First, call VA Tax at 804-367-8031 early Monday morning (around 8am seems to work best based on what others have said). Second, don't just ask for a trace - specifically request they put a stop payment on the original check AND issue a replacement simultaneously. Third, ask for certified mail delivery on the replacement even if there's a small fee - it's worth it for the tracking and security. I've seen too many cases where people wait months hoping the original will show up, only to find out it was cashed by someone else. Be persistent and document every interaction. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease with these situations, and you shouldn't have to wait 8+ weeks for money that's rightfully yours.