Most employers also make W-2s available electronically now through their payroll provider. Check if your company uses ADP, Paychex, Workday, etc. and you might be able to create an account and download it yourself! My company uses ADP and I haven't received a paper W-2 in years - I just download it when I need it. Way harder to lose that way lol.

Just an FYI - if you're really in a time crunch, you can actually file your taxes with Form 4852 (Substitute for W-2) without waiting for a replacement. You'll need to estimate your wages and withholding as accurately as possible using your final paystub of the year. I had to do this once when my W-2 got lost in the mail and my employer was taking forever to send a new one. Just make sure your estimates are as close as possible to avoid having to file an amended return later!

One thing nobody has mentioned is that you should also check with your state tax agency! I had a similar federal issue but didn't realize it was also affecting my state return. Turns out my state was holding my refund because the IRS hadn't completed processing my federal return. Each state has different policies, but worth checking so you don't end up with problems on both levels.

This is such a stressful situation, but you're definitely not alone in dealing with this! I went through something similar two years ago when I moved during tax season and missed my verification letter. One thing I learned is that the IRS verification process can take several months even after you respond, so definitely start working on resolving your 2023 issue now rather than waiting until after you file 2024. When I finally got through to the IRS (took forever on the phone), they explained that having an unresolved verification doesn't technically prevent you from filing the next year's return, but it can create complications. In my case, both my 2022 and 2023 refunds were held up until I completed the verification process. The agent told me this is pretty common - they basically put a "freeze" on your account until identity verification is complete, which can affect multiple tax years. My advice: definitely file your 2024 return on time to avoid penalties, but prioritize getting that 2023 verification sorted ASAP. If you can't get through by phone, try visiting a local IRS office or see if you can create an online account to check your status. The sooner you resolve it, the sooner both refunds should process.

I feel your frustration! The $242 difference is significant and you deserve to know why it happened. Based on your international work situation, here are the most likely scenarios: **Most probable causes for your adjustment:** • Foreign Tax Credit miscalculations (Form 1116 errors are very common) • Foreign Earned Income Exclusion issues if you used Form 2555 • Currency conversion rate differences between what you calculated vs. IRS rates • Withholding discrepancies between US and Canadian employers **What you should do RIGHT NOW:** 1. Log into your IRS online account and check your transcript - look for adjustment codes 2. Don't wait for the mail - call the IRS directly at (800) 829-1040 early morning for shorter wait times 3. Have your Social Security number and exact filing amounts ready when you call The agent can tell you the specific reason code immediately over the phone. With international income involved, these adjustments often involve complex calculations that software sometimes gets wrong. The good news is that if it was genuinely an error on their part, you can file an amended return to get your money back. You WILL receive a written explanation (CP12 notice), but it could take another 2-3 weeks to arrive. Don't let them keep your $242 without an explanation!

I went through something very similar with my 2022 return when I had income from both the US and Mexico. The $242 difference you're seeing is almost certainly related to your international income situation - these cases get extra scrutiny and often have adjustments. Here's what I learned from my experience: **Most likely culprits:** - Foreign Tax Credit calculations on Form 1116 (the IRS uses different currency conversion rates than most software) - Timing differences on when foreign taxes were actually paid vs. accrued - Double-taxation treaty provisions that your software may have calculated incorrectly **What worked for me:** I called the IRS at 7:45 AM on a Tuesday (right when they open) and got through in about 25 minutes. The agent immediately pulled up my account and explained that my software had used the wrong exchange rate for my Mexican income. The IRS uses official Treasury exchange rates published quarterly, while my software used daily rates. **Pro tip:** Before calling, download your Account Transcript from IRS.gov. Look for codes like 766, 767, or 768 - these indicate refund adjustments. Having the specific code ready when you call will save time. You absolutely deserve that explanation notice, and it will come eventually. But calling gets you answers immediately instead of waiting weeks. Don't let them keep your $242 without knowing why!

Just to offer a different perspective - I've signed these kinds of engagement letters with my CPA for years without issues. While the language sounds harsh, in practice, good CPAs stand behind their work regardless. When my CPA made an error calculating my home office deduction that led to an IRS notice, they immediately took responsibility, corrected the return, and paid both the penalty and interest - even though their engagement letter technically limited their liability. Their reputation and relationship with me was worth more than the few hundred dollars at stake. The engagement letter is partly about legal protection, but how they actually handle mistakes tells you more about their professionalism than what's written in the contract.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. My CPA sent me an engagement letter that basically says they're not responsible for anything - even their own calculation errors. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I need to push back on some of the more extreme clauses. @Lucas Lindsey your suggestion about proposing specific language around negligence liability up to the fee amount seems really reasonable. And @Austin Leonard and @Anita George, it's reassuring to hear that good CPAs often do the right thing regardless of what the contract says. I think I'm going to ask my CPA for clarification on a few specific scenarios - like what happens if they make a computational error that leads to penalties, or if they miss a major deduction I'm entitled to. If they can't give me satisfactory answers, I might need to find someone else. The engagement letter should protect both parties, not just give one side a complete free pass. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this has been really educational for someone new to working with tax professionals!

One thing I'd be concerned about is potential issues with other family members. When my grandfather passed, we found cash hidden in his home and it caused a HUGE family fight even though it wasn't nearly as much as you're talking about. If there's no documentation stating it was meant specifically for you, other family members might feel entitled to a portion, especially when it's such a large amount. Have you discussed this with your parents or siblings? It might be worth having those conversations before making any deposits, just to keep family relationships intact.

This is a complex situation that requires careful handling. First, I'd strongly recommend consulting with both a tax professional and an estate attorney before making any deposits. Here's why: The timing is crucial - since your grandfather passed 8 years ago, there may be statute of limitations issues that could work in your favor, but you need professional guidance to understand the implications. For the bank deposit, you're absolutely right that they'll file a CTR for amounts over $10k, but this isn't inherently problematic if you can document the source. I'd suggest preparing a written statement explaining: - When and where you found the money - Your grandfather's background (the Colombian business sale) - Any witnesses to his verbal statements about leaving you his "special savings" Consider having a family meeting before proceeding. Even if your grandfather verbally indicated this was for you, other family members may have legitimate concerns about such a large undisclosed asset from the estate. The IRS will likely have questions about why this money is surfacing now, but being proactive and transparent will help. A tax professional can help you prepare the proper documentation and determine if any estate tax issues need to be addressed. Don't rush this process - taking time to handle it properly will save you potential headaches later.