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Just drive over there! If they're only 15 mins away and you've already tried texting, just stop by in person and ask for a copy. They're legally required to give it to you, and it's harder for them to ignore you when you're standing right there lol.
This! I had the same problem last year and just showed up at HR. Got my W-2 reprinted on the spot. Sometimes the direct approach is best.
Another thing to consider - if you have your final paystub from December, it should have your year-to-date totals for wages and tax withholdings. While it's not a perfect replacement for your W-2, you can use those numbers to estimate what you'll owe or get back as a refund. This might help you decide if it's worth waiting longer or if you need to be more aggressive about getting the actual W-2. Also, if you do end up having to file Form 4852 (the W-2 substitute), make sure to keep trying to get the real W-2 even after you file. If the numbers end up being different, you might need to file an amended return later. But at least you won't miss the filing deadline!
I ran into this exact same issue last month! What helped me was checking the IRS's "What's New" section on their website - they sometimes post interim guidance or notices with updated figures before the full publication is released. Also, if you're working with a tax professional or have access to professional tax software, they often have the updated worksheets available earlier than the general public since they get advance copies. In the meantime, the 2023 version with updated 2024 limits (as others mentioned) should definitely work fine - the calculation methodology rarely changes, just the dollar amounts.
Great suggestion about checking the "What's New" section! I'm dealing with this same frustration right now. Do you happen to remember which specific notices or interim guidance documents had the updated retirement plan figures? I've been digging through the IRS site but there's so much content it's hard to know where to look. Also curious about your mention of tax professionals getting advance copies - is that something they make available to the public at all, or is it restricted to licensed practitioners only?
I completely understand your frustration! I went through this same headache last year when I was trying to set up my first SEP-IRA. Here's what I learned from that experience: The IRS usually publishes Notice 2024-xx (they use different numbers each year) in late October/November with all the updated contribution limits and cost-of-living adjustments for the following year. For 2024, it was Notice 2023-75 that had all the retirement plan limits. You can find these notices much earlier than the full publication updates. For immediate help, I'd recommend calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. They have specialists who can walk you through the worksheet calculations using current year figures. The wait times are brutal, but if you call right when they open (7 AM local time), you usually get through faster. Also, many local SCORE chapters (free small business mentoring) have retired CPAs who volunteer and can help with these calculations. They often have access to the updated worksheets through their professional networks before they're publicly available. Don't stress too much about being "behind" - you're actually ahead of most small business owners by handling this yourself and asking the right questions!
Just wanted to chime in - be careful about what's on your EIN letter. Mine also mentioned Form 720, but my accountant explained that the IRS often lists ALL potential forms a business might need, not necessarily what your specific business requires. Form 720 is pretty specialized for excise taxes on specific products/services.
That's really helpful context! So basically the EIN paperwork is showing possibilities rather than requirements? Has anyone else found their EIN paperwork listing forms they didn't actually need to file?
Exactly right - the EIN paperwork often lists various potential forms as a general notice rather than specific requirements for your business. This happens all the time with my clients. When you apply for an EIN, the IRS system generates paperwork that includes information about forms that might potentially be relevant based on very broad business categories. It's more of a "heads up" about possible requirements rather than a specific directive for your unique business situation. Many of my clients have had forms listed that weren't actually applicable to their specific operations.
I run a small greenhouse business which has some similarities to landscaping. I've never had to file Form 720 because I don't deal with any of the excise taxable items. If you're just doing regular landscaping you should be fine without it! My advice is to check Schedule C instructions (if you're a single-member LLC) to make sure you're handling your tax situation correctly for your business type.
Are you sure about this? I thought Form 720 was related to payroll taxes. That's what my buddy who runs a business told me.
I'm an accountant and see this ALL THE TIME this year. There are massive delays with several banks including Credit Karma. The issue is volume - the IRS is processing refunds in batches and some batches are getting delayed on the receiving end. Nothing to worry about yet, but if it goes beyond 5 business days from your DDD, then call the IRS directly to confirm it was actually sent.
I'm dealing with the exact same situation! DDD of 3/15 with Credit Karma and still waiting. After reading through all these comments, it sounds like CK is doing extra verification holds this year without notifying people. I'm going to try contacting them through the app chat specifically asking about holds like some people suggested. It's so frustrating when you're counting on that money and the bank doesn't even tell you there's an issue! Hopefully we all get our refunds soon. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - makes me feel less alone in this mess.
Julian Paolo
Pro tip: Always send these international information forms via CERTIFIED mail with return receipt! I learned this lesson the hard way with my FBAR filing a few years back. Also keep a copy of everything you send, including proof of mailing. The penalties for late filing Form 3520 are insane (either $10,000 or 35% of the gross value of the trust distributions, whichever is greater).
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Ella Knight
ā¢Does certified mail actually help though? It seems like even with tracking, there's still confusion about where things end up, like in OP's case.
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Mohammad Khaled
ā¢Certified mail is definitely worth it! Even though there can be tracking confusion like OP experienced, certified mail provides legal proof of timely filing. The key is that it shows you properly addressed the form, paid postage, and deposited it in the mail by the deadline. Courts have consistently ruled that proper mailing constitutes timely filing, regardless of internal IRS routing issues. Without certified mail, you'd have no proof at all if the IRS claimed they never received your form. The $5-6 cost is nothing compared to those massive Form 3520 penalties!
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Liam O'Connor
This is exactly why I always recommend keeping multiple forms of documentation when dealing with international tax forms. In addition to certified mail, I also take screenshots of the IRS website showing the correct mailing address on the day I send the form, just in case addresses change or there's any dispute later. For Form 3520 specifically, I've found it helpful to also keep a copy of the trust documents and any correspondence that shows the filing requirement, since the IRS sometimes questions whether certain arrangements actually constitute reportable foreign trusts. The more documentation you have upfront, the easier it is to resolve any issues that come up during processing. Your situation with the ZIP code discrepancy is actually pretty reassuring - it shows the form made it to an IRS facility, which is the most important part. The internal routing between 84201 and 84409 is their problem, not yours!
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Malik Davis
ā¢That's really smart advice about taking screenshots of the IRS website! I never thought about addresses potentially changing. I'm definitely going to start doing that for all my future filings. I'm curious - have you ever had the IRS actually question whether something qualifies as a reportable foreign trust? I'm always paranoid I'm interpreting the rules correctly, especially with some of the more complex family arrangements that might exist overseas.
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