I got audited for this exact situation a few years ago and it was a mess! Both me and my girlfriend claimed HOH with the same address and the IRS flagged it immediately. They made us prove who provided more support and who should actually claim the dependent. Ended up with her having to amend and pay back some refund money plus I had to send in all kinds of documentation showing I paid the mortgage, utilities, etc.

This is a tricky situation that I see come up a lot. The key issue here is that to qualify for Head of Household status, you generally need to be able to claim the qualifying person (your son) as your dependent. Since your girlfriend already claimed him, you technically wouldn't qualify for HOH even though you pay most of the household expenses. However, you have a few options: 1) Try to work it out with your girlfriend to have her amend her return - show her the numbers of how much more you'd both benefit if you claim the child and file HOH, 2) Both file paper returns with explanations and let the IRS sort it out (though this could trigger correspondence), or 3) You file as Single this year and make sure you file first next year. The most important thing is to file correctly based on your actual situation. Filing HOH when you don't technically qualify could cause problems later. I'd recommend getting official guidance from the IRS or a tax professional before making your final decision, especially since you mention wanting to avoid relationship issues too.

I went through almost the exact same situation about two years ago - F-1 student with CPT, employer incorrectly withholding FICA taxes for nearly a year, and payroll initially refusing to fix it. The advice here is spot-on, but I wanted to add one more strategy that really helped me get results. After escalating to HR with all the proper documentation (Form 941-X references, IRS Publication 519, Treasury Regulation citations), I also requested a meeting with both HR and a representative from their legal/compliance team. I framed it as wanting to ensure the company was fully compliant with IRS regulations regarding international employees. During that meeting, I presented a one-page summary showing: 1. The specific IRS regulations requiring FICA exemption for F-1 CPT students 2. The company's legal obligation to correct withholding errors once discovered 3. The potential compliance risks of not correcting known errors 4. The straightforward solution (Form 941-X filings) Having their legal team in the room made all the difference - they immediately understood the compliance implications and directed payroll to process the corrections within two weeks. I think sometimes payroll departments don't realize that refusing to correct known tax errors could expose the company to regulatory scrutiny. The total process took about a month from escalation to receiving my $1,950 refund, but having that legal/compliance perspective really accelerated things. If your company has a legal department or compliance officer, definitely try to get them involved in the conversation.

I've been following this thread closely as I'm dealing with a similar situation with my F-1 OPT employer who has been incorrectly withholding FICA taxes. The strategies shared here are incredibly valuable, especially the emphasis on proper documentation and using the right terminology. One thing I'd add based on my experience working with HR departments is to always request written confirmation of their process and timeline once they agree to make the corrections. Even after my employer acknowledged the error and promised to file Form 941-X, it took several follow-ups to actually get it processed. Having them commit to specific dates in writing helped keep things moving. Also, for anyone in this situation, consider reaching out to your state's Department of Labor if your employer continues to refuse after proper escalation. While this is primarily an IRS/federal tax issue, some state labor departments have resources for workers dealing with improper payroll deductions, and sometimes a call from a state agency can motivate employers to resolve things quickly. The collaborative approach mentioned by others really works - framing it as "let's make sure we're both compliant" rather than "you owe me money" makes a huge difference in how receptive they are to fixing the problem.

I'm dealing with the same frustrating situation! Filed in March and still waiting for my identity verification letter. The whole system seems completely broken. What's really bothering me is that they can flag our returns instantly for verification but then take months to send the letter we need to actually verify. Has anyone had luck with the in-person visits to IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers? I'm wondering if showing up with ID documents might be faster than waiting for this letter that may never come. My local office is about an hour away but at this point I'm desperate enough to make the drive. Also seeing some people mention these third-party services - are they legit or just taking advantage of people's desperation? The IRS process is so opaque that it's hard to know what's actually helpful vs what's just a money grab.

I've been going through this exact nightmare too! Filed in early April and it's now been over 8 weeks with no verification letter. What's really frustrating is that I called the regular IRS line probably 15 times and kept getting the same automated "your return is being processed" message. Finally tried the specific identity verification number (800-830-5084) that someone mentioned earlier and actually got through to a human after about 45 minutes on hold. The agent told me that my letter was "generated" 7 weeks ago but there's no tracking on whether it was actually mailed or delivered. She was able to verify my identity over the phone using questions about my tax history and prior addresses, which saved me from waiting potentially weeks more for a letter that might never arrive. My advice: definitely try that direct ID verification line first thing in the morning (7-8am seems to be the sweet spot), and don't give up if you get disconnected - keep calling back. Also have your last 3 years of tax returns handy because they'll ask specific questions to verify you're really you. Really hoping the IRS gets their act together because this process is absolutely brutal for people waiting on refunds they desperately need!

I just went through this exact situation last year. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. File the 1120-S for your S-Corp (due March 15) 2. Report the expenses as business losses 3. Those losses will flow through to your personal return via K-1 4. For affordable filing, check out TaxHawk - I paid about $45 for my S-Corp return One other thing to consider - since you never actually did business, you might want to formally dissolve the S-Corp to avoid ongoing filing requirements and fees in future years. Otherwise, you'll need to file annual reports with your state and tax returns every year even if the business remains dormant.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Started an LLC in late 2024 for what I thought would be a lucrative consulting opportunity, spent around $2,800 on setup costs, professional development, and travel to meet potential clients. Then the whole thing fell through when the client's budget got cut. One thing I learned that might help you - make sure you're documenting the business purpose for all those expenses, especially the travel. The IRS wants to see that you had a genuine profit motive, not just wishful thinking. Keep emails from the client, meeting notes, anything that shows you were pursuing legitimate business opportunities. Also, definitely don't skip filing just because you didn't make money. Those losses can actually be really valuable for reducing your overall tax burden. I know the business tax software is expensive, but think of it as an investment that could save you hundreds or even thousands on your tax bill through those loss deductions. Have you considered whether you want to keep the S-Corp active for next year, or would it make more sense to dissolve it if the business opportunities don't materialize?

The IRS Authentication Protocol for in-person verification requires biographic verification (your ID) and residential verification (proof of address). The standard procedure allows for documentation discrepancies if you can provide supplementary evidence. A utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement with your current address should suffice as secondary verification. The verification threshold is typically met with two concordant documents, even if your primary ID shows a different address.

I went through this exact situation in January 2024! My driver's license showed my old college address but I filed my return with my current work address. The verification agent was completely understanding - they see this all the time, especially with young professionals who move frequently. I brought my lease agreement, two utility bills, and a bank statement all showing my current address. The agent barely blinked at the mismatch and said "happens every day." The whole appointment took maybe 20 minutes. One tip: organize your documents beforehand in a folder - it shows you're prepared and makes the process smoother. Don't stress about this, you'll be fine!