Make sure you keep detailed records of all your attempts to resolve this with your employer! Save emails, take notes of phone conversations with dates and times, and document everything. My cousin went through something similar and the detailed documentation of his attempts to get his employer to fix the issue was super important when he had to deal with the IRS. Also, check your paystubs from those years - do they show FICA withholding that just wasn't remitted, or was it completely missing from your paychecks?

I'm sorry you're dealing with this situation - it's incredibly stressful when employers don't handle tax obligations properly. As others have mentioned, you absolutely have recourse even though the tax years are closed. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check with Social Security Administration directly about your earnings record. You can create a my Social Security account online and review your earnings history for those years. If the FICA taxes weren't paid, those earnings likely aren't being credited to your Social Security record, which will affect your future benefits. The SSA can also help coordinate with the IRS to ensure your earnings are properly credited once this gets resolved. Since you're on a work visa, having accurate Social Security records will be important if you eventually become eligible for benefits or need to demonstrate work history for immigration purposes. Document everything as others suggested, and don't let your employer dismiss this. They have a legal obligation to correct payroll tax errors regardless of when they're discovered.

Just wanted to share that when I went thru this last year the IRS actually processed both of my 8822-B forms at the same time and it caused a huge mess!!! They kept alternating which address they sent notices to and I missed a CP2000 notice which led to penalties. Definitely set up USPS mail forwarding from both addresses like someone suggested above.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I submitted my Form 8822-B about 5 weeks ago and immediately regretted it. Based on all the advice here, I just submitted a second 8822-B yesterday with my original address listed as the "new" address. A few things I learned from my research that might help others: 1. You can check the status of your address change by calling the IRS at 800-829-4933, though be prepared for long hold times 2. The IRS processes these forms chronologically, so your second submission should override the first 3. DEFINITELY set up mail forwarding with USPS between both addresses - this saved me from missing a quarterly payment voucher One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you have an IRS online account, you can verify which address they have on file by logging in and checking your profile information. It's updated more frequently than their phone system records. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helped me feel more confident about handling this situation!

Has anyone successfully received payments through PayPal after submitting the W-8BEN-E? I submitted mine 3 weeks ago and my account is still limited. Customer service just keeps telling me "it's being reviewed" but I'm getting worried because I have clients trying to pay me.

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! PayPal's system seems to have a bug where it automatically requests W-8BEN-E forms from anyone who has ever selected "business" during account setup, even if you're just a freelancer. Here's what worked for me: First, check if your PayPal account is set to "business" type. If it is, you'll need the W-8BEN-E regardless of whether you think you should use W-8BEN. Don't try to fight the system on this - just fill out what they're asking for. For the W-8BEN-E form as a sole proprietor with no US connections: - Part I: Use your legal name and address - Line 4 (Entity type): Select "Disregarded entity" if you file business taxes, or "Individual" if you don't - Part II: Skip most of this unless you have specific US tax situations - Part III: Only fill out if your country has a tax treaty with the US (most do) - Certification: Sign as yourself The key is being consistent with how you're registered locally for tax purposes. Don't overthink it - most sections won't apply to your situation as a simple freelancer. PayPal's review process typically takes 2-3 weeks, but your account should work normally once approved.

Anyone else notice TurboTax charges different prices depending on what device you use? I started on my phone and it was showing $89 for the premier version, then switched to my laptop and it was $69 for the exact same version. Kinda shady imo...

Pro tip for TurboTax users: Don't pay for state filing through them. You can file directly through your state's tax website for free in most cases. I use TurboTax for federal then just manually enter the numbers on my state's site. Saved me $39 this year!

Could it be a simple error with the social security number? Sometimes people transpose digits when entering SSNs on their tax returns. Maybe someone accidentally entered your son's SSN instead of their dependent's by mistake.

I went through this exact situation last year and it was incredibly stressful. Here's what I learned from the experience: First, don't panic - you will get this resolved, but it takes time. Since you have a clear custody agreement stating it's your year to claim him, you're in a strong position. Make sure you gather ALL documentation before you paper file: - Your divorce decree showing the alternating year arrangement - School enrollment records showing your address as his residence - Medical records listing you as the responsible party - Receipts for expenses you've paid (school supplies, clothes, activities, etc.) - Any childcare documentation One thing I wish I'd done sooner was to call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778). They can sometimes expedite cases involving dependent disputes, especially when you have clear legal documentation like a custody agreement. Also, file as soon as possible even though it has to be by paper. The sooner you get your documentation to the IRS, the sooner they can start their investigation. And definitely keep copies of everything you send them. The waiting is the hardest part, but you'll get through this. The fact that you have a court order in your favor makes this much more straightforward than cases where there's no clear documentation.