I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help others in similar situations. If you're dealing with a small employer or a business that's struggling financially, sometimes the issue isn't that they're being deliberately uncooperative - they might genuinely not know how to handle W-2s properly or might be overwhelmed. In cases like this, you can sometimes help move things along by offering to pick up your W-2 in person if that's possible, or by asking them what specific information they need from you to process it. I had a situation with a small family business where the owner was just completely overwhelmed and didn't realize how urgent the W-2 requirement was. That said, regardless of their reasons, you still need to protect yourself and get your taxes filed on time. The suggestions about filing IRS complaints and using Form 4852 are absolutely correct - just thought I'd mention that sometimes a more collaborative approach can work alongside the official channels. Also, if your employer eventually does send you a W-2 after you've already filed with Form 4852, you'll need to file an amended return (Form 1040X) if there are any differences. It's not the end of the world, but it's extra paperwork, so definitely try the complaint route first if you're still within the February 14th window!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact nightmare scenario two years ago. The stress is absolutely real when you're dealing with an unresponsive employer and tax deadlines looming! One thing I learned that might help is to document EVERYTHING from this point forward. I started keeping a simple log with dates, times, and exactly who I spoke with at my employer. This became incredibly valuable later when the IRS asked for proof that I had made reasonable attempts to get my W-2. Also, if you do end up filing Form 4852, double-check your math multiple times. I made a small calculation error on my state withholdings that caused a minor headache later - nothing major, but it delayed my refund by a few weeks while they sorted it out. The good news is that this situation is more common than you'd think, and the IRS is pretty understanding about it. They have these processes in place specifically because employers sometimes fail to meet their obligations. You're definitely not alone in this, and there are clear paths forward whether your employer cooperates or not. Hang in there - you'll get through this and get your taxes filed on time!

Did you claim any credits like EIC or CTC? That usually triggers more review

Same thing happened to me last year with the 570/971 combo! Turns out they just needed to verify my identity since I moved states. Got a CP05A notice in the mail about 10 days after the codes showed up asking me to verify online or call. Did the online verification and my refund released about 3 weeks later. The waiting is the worst part but hang in there! 🤞

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through a very similar situation. The "wait and report after leaving" strategy mentioned by others is actually quite effective, but I'd also suggest documenting everything NOW while you're still there. Start keeping detailed records of: your work schedule, any emails showing you're required to be in the office, descriptions of your ongoing duties vs. project-based work, and any communications about your employment status. Take screenshots of job postings if they advertised your position differently than how you're classified. This documentation will be crucial whether you decide to approach your employer directly, file with the IRS, or report after finding a new job. I made the mistake of not documenting enough in my situation, and it made proving my case much harder later. Also, consider checking if your company has an HR department or if decisions are made by one person. Sometimes the person doing payroll doesn't fully understand classification rules, and bringing it to HR's attention (framed as a compliance question) might resolve it without drama. But definitely have that documentation ready first, just in case.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is checking if your company has any policies or employee handbook that might inadvertently contradict your contractor classification. Many employers slip up by including 1099 workers in employee-only policies or expecting them to follow the same rules as W-2 staff. Also, since you mentioned the other admin has been there 12 years, that's actually a huge red flag for the IRS. Long-term "contractor" relationships, especially for ongoing administrative work, are classic misclassification cases. The IRS specifically looks for situations where someone performs the same role for years as evidence of an employer-employee relationship rather than true independent contracting. You might want to research what happened to other companies in your industry who got caught doing this. Sometimes showing your employer news articles about similar businesses facing penalties can be more persuasive than citing IRS regulations directly. It makes the risk feel more real and immediate. And honestly, given that you're new and they've been misclassifying the other admin for over a decade, this company is probably sitting on a pretty significant tax liability if the IRS ever investigates. That might actually work in your favor if you do decide to have a direct conversation about reclassification.

Lucas, I went through a very similar situation when I purchased my tree service business last year, and I want to emphasize one crucial point that could save you significant headaches: make absolutely sure you get a detailed closing statement that clearly breaks down every component of your total consideration. In my case, I had $18,000 in assumed equipment debt, but there were also some unexpected closing costs and prorated expenses that affected my total purchase price calculation for Form 8594. The closing attorney didn't initially itemize these properly, which caused confusion when my CPA was preparing the form. Here's what I recommend: Request a draft closing statement at least a week before your actual closing date. This gives you time to review all the numbers and ensure that both you and the seller will be reporting the same total consideration amount on your respective Form 8594s. The assumed debt should be clearly listed as part of the total consideration, not buried in footnotes or attachments. Also, don't forget that you'll need to report this same total consideration amount on your first-year tax return when you file Form 8594. Keep copies of all loan assumption agreements, the closing statement, and any appraisals or equipment valuations with your permanent tax records. The IRS typically has three years to audit, but having this documentation organized from day one will give you peace of mind. One last tip: if any of the equipment loans you're assuming have different terms than originally disclosed, make sure these changes are reflected in your purchase agreement amendments. This protects you legally and ensures your tax calculations remain accurate.

Lucas, as someone who just completed a lawn maintenance business acquisition three months ago, I can definitely relate to your Form 8594 confusion! The assumed debt piece was one of the trickiest parts for me too. Here's what I learned: the $27,500 in equipment loans you're assuming gets added to whatever cash you're paying to determine your total consideration. So if you're paying $40,000 cash plus assuming $27,500 in debt, your total consideration for Form 8594 purposes is $67,500. This total amount is what you'll allocate across the different asset classes in Part III of the form. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple breakdown showing: Cash paid + Assumed debt = Total consideration, then keeping that calculation with my Form 8594 for future reference. Also, make sure you get written confirmation of the exact debt balances as of your closing date, since interest accrual can change these amounts daily. The key is that both you and the seller need to report the same total consideration amount on your respective forms, so coordinate with them to ensure you're both using the same figures. Having everything clearly documented in your purchase agreement prevents confusion later. Best of luck with your lawn care business! Getting the tax side sorted out properly from the start will save you headaches down the road.

I think people sometimes misunderstand these reviews. They're not always bad news! • Many reviews are truly random (part of IRS compliance sampling) • Some are triggered by specific items but don't mean you did anything wrong • Reviews without document requests often resolve faster • The IRS actually does finish many reviews earlier than the timeline they quote My review last year finished in 3.5 weeks even though they quoted me 6 weeks. I was surprised when my deposit just showed up!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed on February 15th and just got the notice yesterday. What's been most frustrating is that the IRS website just says "under review" with no additional details about what specifically they're looking at. From what I've read here and elsewhere, it sounds like the foreign tax credits are probably what flagged your return - they seem to trigger these reviews pretty frequently even when everything is correct. I'm planning for the full 6 weeks but hoping it resolves sooner. Has anyone had luck getting more specific information about what part of their return is being reviewed when they call?