Quick tip from someone who processes a lot of international mail: when sending important tax documents internationally, don't just rely on the carrier's tracking. Pay the extra few dollars for signature confirmation service AND take photos of all your documents before sending them. I'd also recommend putting a cover letter on top that clearly states what's enclosed and where it needs to go (ITIN Operations). Sometimes these packages get opened at various processing points and having that cover sheet helps ensure it gets routed correctly.

I went through this exact same situation last year when applying for my spouse's ITIN from overseas. Here's what worked for me: For the federal return with W-7, I used DHL International Express to the physical address that Ava mentioned (3651 S Interregional Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78741). Make sure to write "ITIN Operations" clearly on the package. DHL was able to provide full tracking and delivery confirmation, which gave me peace of mind. For California, the Franchise Tax Board address you have is correct and accepts courier deliveries. I used the same DHL service for both. One thing I learned the hard way - include a prepaid return envelope if you want your original documents back. The IRS will return certified copies of your ID documents, but only if you provide the return postage. Also, expect the ITIN processing to take 7-11 weeks from when they receive it, so plan accordingly for any future tax filings. The total cost for both shipments was around $80 with DHL, but it was worth it for the peace of mind and delivery confirmation.

I went through the exact same thing last year! Filed in March, got the acceptance right away, then crickets for months with just that dreaded 570 code staring back at me. Turns out they were manually reviewing my return because I had some freelance income that triggered their verification process. The whole thing took about 16 weeks to resolve, but once they released the hold (you'll see code 571), my refund was direct deposited within a week. The worst part is the complete lack of communication - they don't tell you what they're looking for or give you any realistic timeline. Since you filed in April and it's July now, you're definitely past the normal processing window. I'd suggest calling first thing Monday morning right at 7am when they open - that's when you have the best shot at getting through. If you can't get anyone on the phone, those callback services like Claimyr that others mentioned really do work. Sometimes you just need a human to tell you exactly what's happening with your specific return. Hang in there - I know how stressful it is when you're counting on that money!

I feel your pain - the 570 code is like being stuck in limbo! I had this exact situation a few months ago and it drove me absolutely crazy not knowing what was going on. The code means there's some kind of hold on your account, but like everyone else has said, they don't tell you WHY which is the most frustrating part. Since you mentioned claiming the child tax credit, that's very likely what triggered the review - they automatically flag returns with certain credits for additional verification. The good news is that this doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with your return, they're just being extra cautious. Given that it's been 3+ months since you filed, I'd definitely recommend trying to get in touch with them. The early morning call strategy (7am Eastern) really does work better, or if you want to avoid the phone tree nightmare, those callback services people have mentioned can be worth it when you're dealing with thousands of dollars. Keep checking your transcript for that 571 code - once you see that, you'll know the hold has been released and your refund should follow shortly after with an 846 code. Hang in there!

I just want to caution you about one thing - make sure the CP3219A is legitimate before paying anything! There are a lot of scams out there. Double check the phone number against the official IRS website (not just Google), and never pay through gift cards or wire transfers. Real IRS notices have a notice number in the upper right corner, and you can verify it by creating an account on irs.gov and checking your account transactions. If you're at all unsure, you can also request your wage and income transcript from the IRS website to verify what income they have on file for you for 2018.

Just wanted to add my experience with CP3219A notices since I've dealt with a few of these over the years helping family members. One thing that often gets overlooked is that you should make a copy of everything before you mail it back - the Form 5564, the notice itself, and any payment confirmations. Also, when you pay online through Direct Pay, print out the confirmation page immediately. The IRS payment system sometimes has glitches where payments don't show up in their system for several days, and having that confirmation number can save you a lot of headaches if there are any questions later. I'd also suggest sending the Form 5564 via certified mail with a return receipt. It only costs a few extra dollars, but you'll have proof that the IRS received your response within the 90-day window. This becomes really important if there are any disputes later about whether you responded on time. The good news is that once you pay and submit the form, this should be resolved fairly quickly. Most people I've helped have seen their account updated within 2-3 weeks of payment, and the case gets closed out completely.

I'm in a very similar situation! My husband and I have been doing exactly what you're planning for the past three years - we both leave the multiple jobs box unchecked and claim no dependents. We consistently get a refund of around $3,000-4,000 each year, which we put straight into our emergency fund. The peace of mind is worth it for us. I'd much rather "lend" the government money interest-free than risk owing a big chunk at tax time. Plus, like others mentioned, it forces us to save money we might otherwise spend throughout the year. One tip: when you start your nursing job, make sure to keep your first few pay stubs so you can track how much is being withheld. If it seems like way too much is being taken out, you can always adjust your W-4 mid-year. The IRS doesn't care how many times you update it as long as you're not trying to avoid paying what you owe. Congratulations on finishing nursing school! That's a huge accomplishment and nurses are so needed right now.

You're absolutely on the right track with your thinking! As someone who works in tax preparation, I see this situation all the time with dual-income households. You are NOT required to check the Multiple Jobs box - it's purely optional and designed to help people who want more precise withholding throughout the year. What you're planning (leaving both W-4s with no box checked and no dependents) is a completely legitimate and common approach. Each employer will withhold taxes as if that's your only income source, which typically results in overwithholding when you file jointly. This means you'll likely get a nice refund each spring. The only thing I'd suggest is running a quick calculation once you know your wife's nursing salary to make sure you're not overwithholding by an extreme amount. While there's no penalty for overwithholding, you don't want to be giving the government a $10,000+ interest-free loan if you could be using that money for other financial goals throughout the year. But for peace of mind and guaranteed refunds? Your plan is solid and perfectly within the rules. Good luck with the nursing career - we need more healthcare workers!

I'd recommend checking if your state has a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement program for employment taxes. I went through this in Arizona after a similar situation, and while I still had to pay all the taxes, they waived most of the penalties. Saved me thousands. Most important thing is to get ahead of this before you get caught - showing initiative to correct the problem goes a long way.

I've been through something very similar with my roofing company last year. The key thing to understand is that paying employees in cash doesn't change your payroll tax obligations - you're still responsible for withholding and remitting all the same taxes as if you'd paid by check. Here's what I learned from my CPA: You absolutely need to treat these as employees (not contractors) and calculate the full payroll taxes. This means Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax withholding, FUTA, and any state taxes. Since you didn't withhold from their cash payments, you're now responsible for both the employee and employer portions. The manual calculation process is tedious but doable if you have good records. You'll need to work backwards through each quarter of 2024 and file amended 941s. The penalties will add up, but there are abatement options available, especially if this is your first time being late with payroll taxes. One thing that really helped me was getting on a payment plan with the IRS early in the process. Don't wait until you have everything perfectly calculated - reach out to them as soon as you can to show good faith. The sooner you start the correction process, the better it looks from their perspective.