Just wanted to add another option for getting your old W2s - you can also call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 and request a "wage and income transcript" over the phone. This saved me when I couldn't get the online account verification to work. When you call, have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. The agent will verify your identity and can immediately send you the wage and income transcripts for the years you need. They'll mail them to your address on file, which usually takes about 5-10 business days. The transcripts show all the W2 information that was reported to the IRS - your wages, federal tax withheld, Social Security wages, etc. It's basically everything you need to file your taxes except for state withholding (as others mentioned). I had to do this for 2016-2018 myself, and while the phone wait was long (about 2 hours), the actual process once I got through was really straightforward. The IRS agent was helpful and not judgmental at all about me being behind on my filings.

I went through this exact same situation last year - hadn't filed from 2016-2019 and was completely overwhelmed by where to start. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely get those wage and income transcripts from the IRS as others mentioned. I used the online method through IRS.gov which was instant once I got my account set up. The identity verification can be tricky - you need to answer questions about your credit history, but it's worth persisting through it. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: don't panic about the penalties and interest. Yes, they add up, but the IRS has payment plan options and sometimes even penalty relief programs if you can show reasonable cause for not filing. I was so stressed about owing thousands in penalties, but once I actually filed everything and talked to them, we worked out a manageable payment plan. Also, file your returns in order (2016 first, then 2017, etc.) because sometimes the refunds from earlier years can offset what you owe in later years. I actually got refunds for two of the years that helped cover the penalties on the others. The whole process took me about 3 months from start to finish, but honestly the relief of finally being caught up was incredible. You've got this - taking the first step by asking for help here shows you're ready to tackle it!

Has anyone used H&R Block for filing with treaty benefits? I'm in the same situation with a South Korea-US treaty but wondering if their software can handle this or if I should look elsewhere.

I went through this exact same situation with my university in Germany before transferring to a US school! The key thing to understand is that when your university withholds taxes incorrectly despite treaty exemptions, you're essentially getting an involuntary loan to the government that you need to claim back. Here's what worked for me: File Form 8833 as others mentioned, but also make sure to keep detailed records of ALL correspondence with your university about the treaty. When NFU told you to "just claim it on your taxes," get that in writing if possible. The IRS sometimes asks for documentation showing you tried to resolve it at the source first. One thing I learned the hard way - if you're claiming the same treaty exemption year after year, you need to file Form 8833 EVERY year, not just the first time. Also, make sure your university is correctly coding your income on the 1042-S or W-2. Sometimes they use the wrong income codes which can complicate your filing. The good news is that once you get the process down, it becomes pretty routine. I've been doing this for three years now and it's gotten much easier. Just don't let the university's laziness cost you money - you're entitled to that exemption!

I've been using Chime for tax refunds for the past couple years and from my experience, they're usually pretty good about getting them to you fast! Most of the time I see mine hit between 2-5 PM EST, but like others mentioned it can really vary. Last year mine came at like 9 PM on a Wednesday which was totally random. The nice thing about Chime is they don't hold it for business days like some banks do - once they get it from the IRS, it goes straight to your account. Try not to stress too much, it'll be there soon! 🙂

Chime user here! I've gotten my refunds through them for the past 2 years and they're definitely faster than traditional banks. Usually hits anywhere from 1-6 PM but I've also seen it come through late at night or early morning. The uncertainty is annoying but the speed makes up for it. You'll probably see it within the next day or two max. Just try to keep yourself busy - watching the account won't make it come any faster! 😊

Dealt with this exact situation when I worked for a company based in New York but I worked remotely from Florida. My W-2 had the NY address but I never set foot in NY for work. The important thing is where you physically worked, not the address on the W-2. If your paystubs show state withholding for MD and VA, then those are the states you file in. Ignore the DE address completely. When you input your W-2 in TurboTax, there should be an option somewhere to indicate that you worked in a different state than what's listed on your W-2.

As someone who works in payroll administration, I can confirm what others have said - this is unfortunately very common. Many companies use their headquarters address on all W-2s regardless of where employees actually work, which creates confusion. The key thing to remember is that state tax obligations follow the "source rule" - you owe taxes where you earned the income, not where your employer is located. Since you physically worked in VA for part of the year and MD for part of the year, those are your filing states. A few practical tips for your situation: - When TurboTax asks about your work location, override what it assumes from the W-2 address - Make sure your state withholding amounts (Box 17) match what was actually taken from your paychecks - Keep copies of your paystubs as backup documentation in case either state questions your filing You're absolutely right to be careful about this - getting it wrong can result in penalties or having to file amendments later. But don't stress too much - the states deal with these employer address mismatches all the time and your situation is straightforward once you know the rules.

Has anyone tried those storefront tax places that pop up in February? There's one near me advertising $79 tax prep but I'm scared it's either a scam or they'll add on a bunch of fees.

I'm dealing with a similar situation and after reading through all these suggestions, I think I'm going to try a combination approach. First, I'll check if I qualify for the free VITA program since my income might be under the threshold. If my situation is too complex for volunteers, I'll try one of those smaller local tax offices that Nia mentioned - seems like the sweet spot between quality and cost. For anyone else reading this thread, I'd also recommend calling around to get quotes BEFORE making appointments. I made that mistake last year and got stuck with a $300 bill when other places would have charged half that. Most places will give you a rough estimate over the phone if you describe your tax situation. Also keeping those AI-assisted options like taxr.ai in my back pocket as a potential middle-ground solution. Thanks everyone for sharing actual experiences instead of just telling OP to "do it yourself" - this is exactly the kind of practical advice people need!