I'm wondering if anyone has used TurboTax for handling Form 8283? I'm in the same boat with about $700 in donations to Goodwill and wondering if the software handles this well or if I should do it manually?

I've been dealing with Form 8283 for my charitable donations this year too, and I completely understand your frustration! The instructions really are confusing and seem to contradict each other in different sections. One thing that helped me was realizing that you don't need to be overly detailed in Section A. For your $650 in Goodwill donations, you can absolutely group similar items together - something like "Assorted clothing - shirts, pants, jackets" as one line item, "Household items - kitchenware, linens, small appliances" as another, and "Furniture" as a third category. The key is keeping your receipts and having a reasonable method for determining fair market value. I used the Goodwill valuation guide online, which gives suggested values for common donated items. For dates acquired, I just used "Various 2020-2023" for clothing I'd accumulated over time. Don't let this form stress you out too much - it's more straightforward than it initially appears once you understand you can group items by category rather than listing everything individually. The IRS just wants to see that you have documentation and reasonable valuations for your donations.

Check your transcript online if you can. Sometimes these letters go out automatically even when your return is actually in the system but just stuck somewhere in processing.

Had the exact same thing happen to me last year! Turns out there was a glitch in their system that delayed processing e-filed returns. Even though I had confirmation, it took them 3 extra weeks to actually process it. The non-filing letter was automatically generated before they caught up. I'd definitely call the practitioner priority line if you can get through - they were way more helpful than the regular customer service line.

Another option is to get your wage and income transcript directly from the IRS. You can request it online at the IRS website. It shows all the information that was reported to the IRS by your employer, including everything on your W2. Sometimes it takes a while for current year info to appear in the system though.

Just to add from my experience working at a tax preparation office - we would absolutely accept a clearly readable photo of a W2. We see this situation more often than you'd think! As long as all boxes are visible and the information is clear, there's no problem using it to prepare your return. When we enter your tax information into our software, we're just typing in the numbers anyway. The physical form stays with us (or with you if you're doing it yourself).

Pro tip: if you have to mail in documents, send them to the SPECIFIC address for 5447C letters. It's different from the regular IRS mailing address. Made that mistake and it delayed my process by weeks. 🤦‍♂️

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and it was definitely stressful! One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline and keeping detailed notes of every step. I'd also recommend checking the IRS website for processing times - they usually update it regularly so you know what to expect. The whole identity verification thing is a pain, but once you get through it, your refund should process normally. Hang in there! 💪

Just a heads up that you might be eligible for the IRS First Time Penalty Abatement program since this sounds like an honest mistake. When you file your amended return, include a letter requesting this relief. Specifically mention that you had a good filing history before this issue and that the error was unintentional. This won't erase any additional tax you owe, but it could save you hundreds or thousands in penalties. Don't be afraid to ask for this directly - many people don't know about it and the IRS won't automatically apply it unless you request it!

Having dealt with a very similar excess Social Security withholding issue myself, I can tell you that while this feels overwhelming right now, it's definitely manageable! The key is being proactive and systematic about fixing it. First, definitely call the IRS before filing your amended return - explain the situation and ask them to put a hold on any collection actions while you're preparing the amendment. This gives you breathing room and shows good faith. When you file the 1040-X, make sure to include a detailed explanation letter describing exactly what happened (incorrectly assigned W-2s) and attach copies of both W-2s clearly showing which belongs to whom. The IRS appreciates transparency about mistakes. One thing I learned the hard way - double-check that your state return doesn't need amending too, since most states base their calculations on your federal return. And definitely request First Time Penalty Abatement if you have a clean filing history - this alone could save you significant money in penalties. The silver lining is that this type of error is very common and the IRS has seen it thousands of times. They have standard procedures for handling it, so once you get the paperwork sorted, the resolution should be straightforward.