Has anyone here actually received confirmation that their paper return was processed? I mailed mine 4 months ago to the Austin address (I'm in California) and the "Where's My Refund" tool still says "Return Not Processed" when I check. Getting really worried they lost it.

I feel your pain on this address confusion! I went through the same nightmare last year when I had to paper file. The key thing to remember is that the IRS has been consolidating processing centers, which is why you're getting conflicting info from different sources. For 2023 California returns, Sydney Torres gave you the correct addresses above. Just to reinforce: - NO payment: Austin, TX 73301-0002 - WITH payment: Cincinnati, OH 45280-2501 Pro tip: Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it was delivered. The IRS can take 6-8 weeks just to acknowledge they received a paper return, so don't panic if you don't see it in their system right away. Also, double-check that you're looking at the 2023 Form 1040 instructions, not older versions. The IRS updates these addresses periodically, and outdated info floating around online is probably why your neighbor and others are giving you different addresses. Good luck with your filing!

2 Has anyone ever had an employer just totally mess up their W-2? Last year I had to request a corrected W-2 because they put my bonus in Box 14 instead of including it in Box 1 wages. Took them forever to fix it and delayed my filing.

I see a lot of helpful advice here, but I want to add something that might save you headaches down the road. Make sure you keep copies of all your W-2s and any documentation about pre-tax deductions from each of your 5 employers. Since you mentioned this is the first time you've seen a W-2 formatted this way, it's worth noting that different payroll companies (ADP, Paychex, etc.) can make W-2s look quite different even though they contain the same IRS-required information. The key is always to focus on the actual box numbers rather than how the form is laid out. Also, with multiple part-time jobs, double-check that your total Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld across all W-2s don't exceed the annual limits. If they do, you can claim a credit for the excess when you file. This happens more often than you'd think with multiple employers.

Did you move during that time? Sometimes they sent paper checks that got lost in the mail

Check your 2020 and 2021 tax transcripts - they should show if the EIP was issued and when. If it shows as issued but you never got it, you'll need to request a payment trace. The IRS has been dealing with tons of these cases where the system shows payments went out but people never received them. Don't give up - you're entitled to that money!

Just to add another data point - I received a similar Facebook settlement payment of $412 last year, also through PayPal. I never received any tax forms either. I ended up reporting it on my Schedule 1 as "Other Income" and wrote "class action settlement" in the description field. Had no issues with my return.

I just went through this exact situation with a different class action settlement! The key thing to remember is that even without a 1099 form, you're still responsible for reporting the income. I called the IRS directly (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that settlement payments like these go on Schedule 1, Line 8i as "Other Income." For documentation, I kept screenshots of my PayPal transaction, the settlement notice email, and any correspondence about the lawsuit. The IRS agent told me that's sufficient backup documentation if needed later. One tip: make sure to write a clear description like "Facebook class action settlement" on the form so it's obvious what the income source was. This helps if there are ever any questions down the road.

Is capital gains on vehicles the same rate as stocks? My understanding is it depends on your income bracket but I just want to make sure I'm planning for the right tax percentage. Selling my Range Rover for about $12k more than I paid for it.

Just wanted to add a heads up for anyone dealing with this situation - make sure you understand the $3,000 personal property exemption! If your vehicle was used primarily for personal purposes (not business), you might not owe any capital gains tax on the first $3,000 of profit. However, this exemption typically applies to things like household goods and furniture that depreciate. Vehicles are a bit of a gray area, and with the current market where cars are actually appreciating, the IRS might treat it more like an investment. Definitely worth confirming with a tax professional or the IRS directly if your gain is close to that threshold. Also keep in mind that if you're planning to buy another vehicle right away, you can't do a like-kind exchange (1031 exchange) with personal vehicles like you can with investment properties. Each sale is treated as a separate taxable event.