According to Internal Revenue Manual 5.19.17.2, "The offset of refunds to pay tax liabilities is not prohibited while a taxpayer is in CNC status." I went through this myself. I was placed in CNC status in 2022, filed my return in February 2023, and my entire $2,800 refund was applied to my outstanding tax debt. The IRS considers refund offsets as passive collection actions that are separate from the active collection actions prohibited by CNC status. I understand how frustrating this can be when you're already in financial hardship.

I'm currently going through this exact situation and can confirm what others have said - CNC status won't protect your refund from offset. I was placed in CNC status in September 2023 due to unemployment, but when I filed my 2022 return last April, they still took my entire $1,847 refund. The frustrating part is that the CNC determination letter specifically states they won't pursue collection activities, but apparently refund offsets don't count as "active" collections. I called the Taxpayer Advocate Service to see if there were any options, and they explained that the offset happens automatically through the Treasury Offset Program before the IRS even processes your return. My advice would be to adjust your withholdings going forward so you owe a small amount instead of getting a refund - that way there's nothing for them to take.

I mailed my state return in February last year and it took exactly 10 weeks to process. I got my refund 2 weeks after that. So 12 weeks total. My federal e-file was done in 10 days. This year I made sure to find a tax preparer who could e-file for both states. Cost me $75 more but worth it to avoid the wait. If you need that money soon, don't count on it arriving quickly. Paper processing is still stuck in the stone age.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now! Filed my federal electronically in January and got my refund in 8 days. Had to mail my second state return because they don't accept e-filing for part-year residents. It's been 7 weeks now and still nothing - not even an acknowledgment that they received it. Called their customer service line twice and waited over an hour each time just to be told "normal processing time is 8-12 weeks for paper returns." Really frustrating when you see how fast the electronic systems work. Next year I'm definitely finding a way to avoid paper filing, even if it means paying extra fees. The peace of mind and faster processing is worth it. For anyone in a similar boat - I'd recommend keeping copies of everything and maybe sending it certified mail next time so you at least have proof of delivery.

I'm just curious - what breed is your service dog? We're planning to get a mobility service dog next year for my husband and trying to figure out what kinds of home modifications we'll need to budget for.

This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my service dog for PTSD. I built a ramp and modified my back door last year for accessibility, plus ongoing costs for training maintenance sessions. One thing I learned from my tax preparer is to keep VERY detailed records of everything - receipts, photos of the modifications, letters from your doctor explaining why each expense was medically necessary. The IRS can be pretty strict about what qualifies as "reasonable and necessary" for service animal care. Also, don't forget about the ongoing expenses like specialized food, vet bills, and even grooming if it's related to the dog's working ability. These smaller expenses can add up and might help you reach that 7.5% AGI threshold for medical deductions. Keep track of everything throughout the year - it's much easier than trying to reconstruct it all at tax time!

According to N.J.A.C. 18:35-6.1, the Division of Taxation has 90 days to process returns before they're required to pay interest on refunds. That's why they don't prioritize updating the status checker. I filed on January 20th, couldn't check status until March 1st, but received my refund on March 3rd. Their internal processing is actually efficient - it's just their public information system that's outdated. If you filed correctly, your refund will come within the statutory timeframe.

I'm dealing with something similar - filed my NJ return on February 8th and still can't check status online. What's particularly frustrating is that I got my federal refund three weeks ago, but NJ's system still shows nothing. I called yesterday and waited 2.5 hours just to be told "your return is in process" with no timeline. Since you mentioned being on a work visa, have you considered reaching out to a tax professional? They might have better insight into whether visa status affects NJ processing times or if there are additional verification steps for non-citizens. At this point I'm just hoping it processes before I need to make quarterly payments in April!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - after you file your taxes using Form 4852, your former employer might suddenly "find" and send you your W2, especially if the IRS contacts them. If this happens AFTER you've already filed, you might need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) if the information on the W2 is different from what you reported. In my case, my ex-employer sent my W2 about 2 weeks after the filing deadline, and the actual withholding was about $300 more than I had estimated. I filed an amended return to get that additional refund. Just something to keep in mind - this might not be completely over even after you file!

I went through this exact situation two years ago and it was incredibly stressful! One additional step you might want to try before going the Form 4852 route is contacting your state's Department of Labor or equivalent agency. They sometimes have more leverage with employers about wage and hour violations, and failing to provide W2s can be considered part of that. In my state, I filed a complaint online about my employer not providing my W2, and within a week the Department of Labor contacted my former employer directly. Suddenly my "unreachable" boss was able to send my W2 via email the next day! It's worth a shot since it's usually free and might save you from having to estimate your withholdings. Even if it doesn't work, you'll have additional documentation showing you tried every avenue to get your W2, which can be helpful if the IRS ever questions your Form 4852 filing. The other advice here about Form 4852 is solid though - if the Department of Labor route doesn't work, don't let it delay your filing. You have good options to move forward without the official W2.