Has anyone tried just using an SSN instead of an ITIN on the W9? I'm in a similar situation and my cousin told me I could just apply for an SSN instead since the process is supposedly easier.

I went through this exact same situation with Chase about 6 months ago! The key thing that helped me was being proactive with communication. As soon as I submitted my W-7 form for the ITIN application, I called Chase's customer service and explained the situation. They were actually pretty understanding once I explained that I was a new resident who needed an ITIN for banking purposes but wasn't earning US income yet. The representative put a note on my account and extended my deadline to 90 days instead of 30. One tip that really helped: when you submit your ITIN application, ask the IRS (or your Certifying Acceptance Agent if you use one) for a receipt or acknowledgment letter. Chase accepted this as proof that I was actively working on getting my ITIN, which stopped the threatening letters. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of all your communications with both Chase and the IRS throughout this process. It'll save you headaches later if there are any mix-ups!

Has anyone used services like Taxr.ai or Claimyr in conjunction with TurboTax or H&R Block? I'm trying to decide if I need to bite the bullet and pay for a CPA this year because of my RSU situation. I moved from Washington to Texas midway through my vesting schedule and I'm worried about messing up the allocation.

I went through a very similar situation when I moved from Oregon to California temporarily for work. The key thing to understand is that your company's memo is actually being conservative and accurate - this is standard practice, not something unique to your employer. Here's what I learned from my experience: California will indeed claim taxation rights on RSUs based on your work location during the vesting period, but it's proportional. Since you're only planning to be there for 18 months out of your 4-year vesting schedule, roughly 37.5% of your total RSU value would be subject to California taxation. The good news is that you won't be double-taxed on the same income. Both Colorado and California have provisions to prevent true double taxation through tax credits. You'll likely end up paying whichever state has the higher tax rate on that income, but not both rates combined. My advice: definitely consult with a tax professional before making the move. They can help you understand the exact implications and potentially time your move strategically. Also, keep meticulous records of your work locations and dates - this documentation will be crucial for proper tax allocation and could save you thousands if there are any disputes later.

Just wanted to share my experience with this exact same issue! I'm an HR manager at a mid-sized company and we actually discovered we had been making this mistake for about 18 months before our payroll vendor caught it during an audit. What happened was our payroll system had HSA contributions configured as "pre-tax for income tax only" instead of "pre-tax for all taxes including FICA." It's a surprisingly common setup error because the system defaults aren't always correct, and many payroll administrators don't realize there's a distinction. When we discovered the error, we had to issue W-2c forms to about 40 employees and process refunds for the overpaid Medicare taxes. The total overpayment per employee wasn't huge (usually $30-80 depending on their HSA contribution amount), but it was definitely real money that people deserved back. If anyone is dealing with an unresponsive employer on this issue, you might mention that the employer also owes matching Medicare tax refunds to the IRS - so they actually have a financial incentive to fix it properly rather than just ignoring it. That usually gets their attention pretty quickly!

As a former payroll specialist who dealt with these Section 125 configuration issues regularly, I'd recommend being very specific in your initial communication with HR/payroll. Don't just say "my W-2 is wrong" - that could mean anything and often gets put in a pile. Instead, try something like: "My HSA contributions made through payroll deduction under our Section 125 cafeteria plan are incorrectly included in Box 5 (Medicare wages) on my W-2. Per IRS Publication 969 and IRC Section 125, these contributions should be excluded from all FICA taxes including Medicare. This appears to be a payroll system configuration error that may affect other employees as well." The key phrases that usually get immediate attention are "Section 125 cafeteria plan," "IRS Publication 969," and especially "may affect other employees." That last part is crucial because it signals this could be a systemic issue requiring broader correction, which makes it a priority for the payroll department rather than a one-off employee complaint. Also, if you have access to your pay stubs, include one that shows the HSA deduction coded as pre-tax. This gives them concrete documentation to reference when they're troubleshooting their system setup.

I'm dealing with code 474 on my transcript right now too, and reading through everyone's experiences here has been really reassuring. It's frustrating when you're waiting for money you need, especially for medical expenses like you mentioned. From what I've gathered from this thread and my own research, the key things to remember are: • This is specifically for Injured Spouse processing - your refund is being manually reviewed to separate what belongs to each spouse • The timeline is typically 11-14 weeks from filing, though some people have reported shorter or longer waits • The IRS won't provide much communication during this time, which is the most stressful part One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - if you filed jointly but didn't submit Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation), definitely call the IRS to make sure this code isn't an error. Sometimes returns get flagged incorrectly. Also, since you mentioned medical expenses, you might want to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service if you're facing financial hardship. They can sometimes help expedite processing in urgent situations, though there's no guarantee. Hang in there - the waiting is brutal but you will get your portion of the refund eventually!

I went through code 474 last year and completely understand your frustration, especially when you're counting on that refund for medical expenses. The waiting period is really tough because there's so little communication from the IRS during the process. Here's what I learned from my experience: • Code 474 means your refund is on hold for Injured Spouse processing - the IRS is manually determining how to split the refund between spouses when there's a debt offset involved • The timeline is typically 11-14 weeks, but I've seen it vary from 8-16 weeks depending on the complexity • Your transcript will update weekly (usually overnight between Sunday-Monday), so checking daily won't show changes • The "Where's My Refund" tool won't be very helpful during this period since your return is in specialized processing A few practical tips: • If you didn't file Form 8379 with your return, call the IRS to verify this isn't an error • Keep records of which income/payments belong to which spouse in case they need documentation • Consider reaching out to the Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) if your medical expenses create a financial hardship - they may be able to help The lack of updates during this process is maddening, but you will eventually receive your portion of the refund. In my case, it took 13 weeks and I received about 60% of the original refund amount. Hang in there!

Has anyone worked with a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT) instead of a regular irrevocable trust? I'm wondering if the basis rules are different with that structure.

This is such an important consideration that many people overlook when setting up irrevocable trusts! I made this mistake with my father's trust several years ago - we didn't properly structure it as a grantor trust, so when we sold his property after his passing, we ended up with a much higher capital gains tax bill than expected. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given: make sure your estate planning attorney specifically includes language in the trust that retains certain powers for your mom (like the power to substitute assets of equal value, or administrative powers) that will ensure grantor trust status under IRC Section 675. These powers don't affect the irrevocable nature for estate planning purposes but are crucial for maintaining the step-up in basis. Also, consider having the trust document reviewed periodically. Tax laws can change, and you want to make sure the trust continues to qualify for the tax treatment you're expecting. The potential tax savings from getting the step-up in basis (in your case, potentially avoiding capital gains on over $245,000 of appreciation) is definitely worth the extra planning effort upfront!