Definitely look into an Offer in Compromise if your financial situation is genuinely tough. My brother owed $37k and got it settled for about $8k because he could prove he didn't have the means to pay the full amount due to long-term income issues. The key is being COMPLETELY honest about your finances and being thorough with the application. They'll want to know everything about your assets, income, and expenses. If you hide anything, they'll reject your offer immediately. It's also a pretty lengthy process - took my brother about 9 months from application to acceptance. But if you qualify, it can save you thousands.

Thanks everyone for all this detailed information! This is exactly what I needed to hear. Based on what you've all shared, it sounds like I have a few realistic options. Given my situation - $18k debt, reduced income from job loss, and the bankruptcy - I'm thinking an installment agreement might be my best bet to start with. The 72-month timeline seems manageable with my current budget, and I like that I can pay extra when possible to reduce the overall interest. I'm definitely going to check out taxr.ai to get a better understanding of my specific options before I contact the IRS. And if I can't get through on the phone, I'll try Claimyr since multiple people here had success with it. One follow-up question - for those who went through this process, did having an active installment agreement or resolved tax debt help when you applied for a mortgage? I'm hoping to buy a house in about 18 months and want to make sure I'm positioning myself well for that. Really appreciate all the advice - this community has been incredibly helpful!

Check your transcripts every Wednesday and Friday morning thats when they usually update

TC571 usually means they're releasing a previous hold on your account - it's a good sign! I had the same code last year and got my refund about 10 days later. The waiting is brutal but hang in there, you should see movement soon. Keep checking your transcript on Wednesdays and Fridays like Giovanni mentioned, that's when they typically update.

OP, I was in a slightly smaller but similar situation. Owed about $35k and hadn't filed for 2 years. Here's what worked for me: 1. Find a good CPA but not a "tax resolution" specialist - I paid $350 per unfiled return 2. File all back tax returns ASAP 3. Apply for first-time penalty abatement on your own (if you had a clean record for 3 years before 2021) 4. Set up the installment agreement yourself online after returns are processed The Fresh Start Program is just marketing language for normal IRS procedures. Anyone charging $9.5k is taking advantage of your fear. The IRS website has all the forms and instructions. With your new income, you won't qualify for an Offer in Compromise, so don't waste time pursuing that. Your best bet is getting on a payment plan with the longest term possible while you tackle the credit card debt. I got about $4k in penalties removed with a simple phone call requesting first-time abatement. The interest couldn't be removed, but at least the penalties stopped growing once I filed the returns.

As someone who works in tax compliance, I want to emphasize a few critical points that haven't been fully addressed: First, you mentioned that 20% of your stock was "automatically sold at vesting to cover taxes" - this is crucial information for your CPA. Make sure they understand the exact timing of when shares vested versus when they were sold, as this affects whether you have additional compensation income or capital gains/losses to report. Second, regarding that $20k payment you made that never got withdrawn - you should be able to see this as a credit on your account once you file your 2021 return. The IRS likely applied it to your account but couldn't process the installment agreement without a filed return to reference. Third, don't let anyone pressure you into quick decisions about Offers in Compromise. With your current income trajectory ($280k base plus stock/bonuses), the IRS will calculate that you can pay the full amount over time. The OIC process is lengthy, expensive to apply for ($205 application fee plus 20% of offer amount upfront), and has a very low acceptance rate for high earners. Your best path forward is exactly what others have suggested: file the returns through your CPA, request first-time penalty abatement if you qualify, and set up a manageable installment agreement. The IRS generally allows up to 72 months for balances over $50k, which would put your monthly payments around $1,200-1,400 depending on interest and remaining penalties. The key is getting compliant first, then addressing the payment structure. Don't let tax resolution companies capitalize on your stress - this is a solvable problem that doesn't require their expensive services.

Protip: Check your transcript instead of WMR. Its usually more accurate and updates faster

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed on 2/28 and still getting that "still being processed" message on WMR. It's so frustrating seeing some people who filed around the same time already getting their refunds while we're stuck waiting. I've been trying not to check it obsessively but it's hard when you're expecting that money. At least we know we're not alone in this - seems like a lot of late February filers are still waiting. Hopefully we'll see some movement soon! 🤞

Guys, I finally got my refund after 4 months! There's hope! 🎉

Hey Douglas! I totally get your frustration - 60+ days is way too long. A few things that helped me when I was in a similar situation: First, definitely try calling early morning like Ruby suggested (around 7 AM when they open). Second, check your online transcript on the IRS website - it often shows more detailed status info than the "Where's My Refund" tool. Third, if you're experiencing any financial hardship because of the delay, make sure to mention that when you do get through to someone. And finally, consider reaching out to the Taxpayer Advocate Service if calling doesn't help - they're specifically there to help resolve these kinds of delays. Hang in there, it's incredibly frustrating but you'll get through this! 🤞