You might want to look into whether you qualify as an independent contractor rather than an employee. Many PCAs are actually misclassified. If you're actually an independent contractor, you'd handle your own taxes through quarterly estimated payments anyway, and this might simplify things for you going forward. The IRS has a form called SS-8 that helps determine proper worker classification. Worth looking into since your intermediary is already failing at basic employer responsibilities!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned from calling the IRS directly. When your employer fails to withhold taxes despite proper W-4 submission, you can actually request what's called a "lock-in letter" from the IRS. This is a formal notice that the IRS sends to your employer specifying exactly how much must be withheld from your paychecks. To get this, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask for the "employee protection" department. You'll need to provide documentation that you submitted proper W-4 forms and that your employer ignored them. The IRS takes this pretty seriously since employers are legally required to follow valid withholding instructions. Also, since you're working through DSS as a PCA, you might have additional protections under your state's labor laws. Many states have specific regulations about how fiscal intermediaries must handle payroll for state-funded positions. I'd recommend contacting your state's Department of Labor wage and hour division - they often have more teeth than just complaining to DSS directly. Keep fighting this! You shouldn't have to bear the burden of your employer's failure to follow basic tax laws.

Instead of waiting anxiously for a letter that may be delayed, here's an alternative approach you can take right now: 1. Call the IRS main number (1-800-829-1040) first thing in the morning (7am Eastern) 2. Select options for "personal tax questions" 3. When prompted for SSN, don't enter anything (this routes you to a human) 4. Ask the representative to verify your current address on file 5. Request information about any pending correspondence 6. If moving soon, submit Form 8822 online immediately This proactive approach gives you control rather than waiting in uncertainty. As a student, you have enough stress already without tax worries!

I went through this exact situation last year as a graduate student! The 420 code appeared on my transcript in early March, but I didn't receive the actual CP75 letter until almost 6 weeks later. The IRS systems update much faster than their physical mail processing. Here's what I learned: the 60-day response period doesn't start until you actually receive the letter in hand, so don't stress about missing deadlines yet. However, given your May 15th move, I'd strongly recommend calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify your address is correct in their system. If you need to update it, file Form 8822 immediately. Also, as a student, there's a good chance this is just a routine verification of education credits or student loan interest deductions - very common and usually resolved quickly with proper documentation. Keep checking your mailbox daily, but don't panic about phantom deadlines!

AOTC was a lifesaver for me tbh. Got back $2.5k last yr when I needed it most. Make sure ur actually eligible tho - must be degree-seeking, at least half-time enrollment, and within 1st 4 yrs of post-secondary ed. Also can't have felony drug convictions (weird rule but w/e). The refundable portion ($1k max) comes back to you even if u have zero tax liability. Def worth the extra paperwork IMO.

Great discussion everyone! As someone who's navigated both credits, I'd add a few practical tips: First, don't overlook the income phase-out limits - AOTC starts phasing out at $80k AGI ($160k married filing jointly) while LLC phases out at $60k ($120k MFJ). Second, if you're unsure about your eligibility timeline for AOTC, check your school's records - the "first four years" rule is based on academic years, not calendar years. Third, keep digital copies of ALL receipts, not just the 1098-T. I learned this the hard way when the IRS requested documentation two years after filing. The education credits can indeed be substantial - I've seen refund increases ranging from $800-2,400 depending on expenses and income level. Just make sure you're claiming the right credit for your situation!

Does anyone know if there's a minimum donation amount for taking the business deduction? I donated a small basket worth about $50 to my kid's soccer team fundraiser and wonder if it's even worth tracking.

Great question about the raffle basket donation! Since you mentioned using items from your business inventory plus purchased items, here's what I'd recommend based on my experience: For the business inventory items (your handmade jewelry), these should definitely go on Schedule C as a business expense at your cost basis, not retail value. So if those jewelry pieces cost you $80 in materials and time to make, that's your deduction amount. For any items you purchased specifically for the donation basket, you have a choice: if you bought them through your business, they can also go on Schedule C. If you bought them personally, they'd go on Schedule A as a charitable contribution (but only if you itemize). The key thing everyone's mentioned is correct - keep that donation letter from the school confirming they're a qualified organization, plus all your receipts showing your actual costs. The $275 retail value is nice for the school's records, but your deduction is based on what you actually paid/spent. One tip: if your total business donation expenses for the year are significant, consider consulting a tax pro to make sure you're optimizing between business vs personal charitable strategies based on your overall tax situation.

Don't forget about filing for a tax extension if your return isn't going to make it by the deadline! Form 4868 gives you until October to file your actual return. You'll still need to pay any taxes due by the regular deadline, but at least you won't get hit with the failure-to-file penalties. I had to do this last year when USPS lost my return entirely. The extension form can be filed online even if you can't e-file your full return.

Based on all the helpful advice here, it sounds like you have multiple issues working against you. The incomplete ZIP code (missing -0002) combined with the fact that Fresno may not even be processing individual returns anymore means your return is probably stuck in postal limbo. I'd recommend taking Mohammad's advice and double-checking the current filing address for California refund returns - sounds like it should be going to Ogden, UT now instead of Fresno. When you resend, make sure to include the complete ZIP+4 code and mark it clearly as "COPY - ORIGINAL SENT [DATE]" as Eva suggested. The good news is that since you're expecting a refund, you don't have to worry about late filing penalties. You can take your time getting this sorted out. But definitely get a new copy in the mail soon with the correct address so you can start the 4-6 week processing clock ticking. Also, for next year, try to get that PIN issue resolved with TurboTax/IRS so you can e-file and avoid all this mailing drama!