your supposed to wait 24 hrs after accepting but tbh the system is always wonky. might take a few days or weeks idk why they cant get it together 🤡

From my experience, it's usually 2-3 weeks for e-filed returns, but it can vary. I'd suggest checking once a week rather than daily to save yourself the stress. The IRS systems update in batches, not real-time, so constant checking won't make it appear faster. Also make sure you're using the right tax year when logging in - that trips people up sometimes!

Has anyone used the "reasonable basis" approach for this? My CPA told me that we could just use a reasonable method to allocate dividends for the fiscal year and document our methodology, without needing to get special reports.

I'm currently dealing with a similar situation for my grandfather's estate that has a fiscal year ending in August. One thing that's been helpful is creating a detailed spreadsheet tracking each dividend payment by month, security, and estimated classification based on the prior year's 1099-DIV percentages. For mutual funds specifically, I found that many fund companies publish monthly or quarterly tax estimates on their websites that can help bridge the gap until you get the official 1099s. Vanguard, Fidelity, and others often have detailed tax information available in their fund profiles. Also worth noting - if the estate has significant dividend income, consider making estimated tax payments quarterly to avoid underpayment penalties. The IRS doesn't care that you're waiting for complete documentation; they still expect timely payments based on reasonable estimates.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago when I started my first tax prep job. The key is to be persistent and use multiple approaches simultaneously. First, call the PTIN helpdesk at 877-613-7846 first thing Monday morning - they get fewer calls early in the week. Have your application number ready and explain that this is delaying your employment start date. Ask specifically for "expedited processing due to employment necessity." Second, double-check that your notarized documents are crystal clear - the IRS scanning system is very picky about image quality. If there's any doubt, get new notarized copies and resubmit with high-resolution scans. Third, contact your local IRS Stakeholder Liaison office. They sometimes have direct contacts in the PTIN processing center and can make inquiries on your behalf when there's a legitimate business need. Finally, document everything - save emails, keep call logs with reference numbers. If this drags on, you'll need this documentation for any escalation. Don't panic - this happens more often than you'd think, and there are ways to resolve it faster than the standard 6-week timeline. Stay on top of it and you should get through this soon!

I'm currently going through a similar PTIN delay situation, so I feel your pain! One thing that helped me was reaching out to my local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) coordinator. Even though you're not doing VITA work, they often have direct contacts at the IRS PTIN office and can sometimes make inquiries on behalf of people in the tax prep community. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking your application status daily at IRS.gov/ptin. Sometimes the status updates before you get any email notifications. I noticed my status changed to "under review" about a week before I actually heard anything official. In the meantime, ask your supervisor if there are any continuing education courses or tax software training you can complete while waiting. Many firms will reimburse for relevant courses, and it shows initiative while you're stuck in this frustrating waiting period. Hang in there - this will get resolved!

One thing nobody's mentioned: if you're expecting refunds for these years, you probably won't get interest on the 2020 and 2021 refunds because you filed more than 45 days after the due date. But for some reason the IRS has been adding interest to my 2022 refund even though I just filed it late last month. The interest rates are actually pretty decent too - like 5-7% depending on the quarter.

Don't panic! You're definitely not going to jail - the IRS is much more interested in getting their paperwork than punishing people who just got overwhelmed. I went through something similar a few years back. Since you mentioned you're W-2 only and likely owed refunds, you're in a pretty good position. The IRS doesn't penalize you for filing late when you're owed money. However, definitely prioritize getting that 2020 return filed ASAP since you only have until April 15th, 2024 to claim that refund. For gathering your documents, start by creating an account on IRS.gov and requesting your wage and income transcripts. This will show you all the W-2s, 1099s, and other tax documents that were filed with your SSN for each year. It's like getting a cheat sheet of what you need to report. You can absolutely use tax software for this - most companies like TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, and TurboTax offer prior year versions. Just remember that 2020 and 2021 will likely need to be mailed in as paper returns, while 2022 can probably still be e-filed. Take it one year at a time, starting with 2020, and you'll get through this faster than you think!

Does anyone know if RSUs get reported on a 1099-B or just on the W-2? I've been getting conflicting information.

Welcome to the RSU club! One thing I wish someone had told me when I first got RSUs - consider the timing of when you might want to sell after vesting. Since the vested shares are already taxed as ordinary income at vesting, any future gains will be taxed as capital gains. If you hold for more than a year after vesting, you get the more favorable long-term capital gains rate instead of short-term (which is taxed as ordinary income again). Also, don't forget that RSUs can push you into a higher tax bracket in the year they vest, especially if you have a large vesting event. It might be worth talking to a tax professional about estimated quarterly payments if your regular paycheck withholding won't cover the extra tax burden from the RSUs.