idk why they make this stuff so complicated fr

Actually, there's one more thing to check - make sure you're looking at your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), not your total gross income. After deductions like health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, etc., your AGI might be lower than that $65k. Also, the income limits I see others mentioning look right for 2024 tax year. If you're really close to the threshold, definitely consider maxing out any pre-tax deductions you can still make for 2024!

It might be worth checking if your state tax agency has any verification requirements too. Sometimes the ID.me notification could possibly be related to state taxes rather than federal. I had a client who was confused about a similar situation, and it turned out the verification was for their state return, not the federal one. You might want to check both your federal and state tax account portals to see if there are any notices or requirements listed there.

I went through something similar recently! The ID.me notification can definitely appear before you receive the physical letter from the IRS. In my case, I got the notification about 10 days before the 5071C letter arrived in the mail. Here's what I learned from my experience: - Don't try to go to the IRS office without the letter - they literally cannot help you without the reference number - The letter will tell you exactly which documents to bring and give you the specific verification code needed - You can check your IRS online account at irs.gov to see if there are any notices posted there first Since you work remotely and have flexibility, I'd suggest checking your online account daily and being patient for the letter. Once you get it, scheduling the appointment is usually pretty straightforward. My verification took about 20 minutes in person, and my refund was released within a week after that. The anxiety is totally understandable - I was stressed about it too! But the process is actually pretty smooth once you have the proper documentation.

Whatever you do, DON'T file without the IP PIN if you've been issued one in previous years. My cousin did that and it created a HUGE mess. His return was rejected, then flagged for potential identity theft (ironically), and it took him almost 8 months to get his refund. If you absolutely cannot get your IP PIN before the deadline, file an additional extension request (Form 4868) with a paper explanation of your situation attached. That at least documents that you tried to comply with the deadline.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! Here's what worked for me: First, try calling the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 early in the morning (7 AM Eastern sharp). If that doesn't work, you can also try the IP PIN retrieval tool on IRS.gov, but make sure you have your prior year AGI and other verification info ready. One thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of every attempt to contact them - dates, times, reference numbers, etc. This became crucial later when I had to request penalty relief. Also, definitely check that your address is current with the IRS by filing Form 8822 if you've moved recently. The IP PIN gets mailed to whatever address they have on file, which might not be updated even if you filed your return with a new address. Whatever you do, don't file without the PIN - it will just get rejected and create more delays. If you're really running out of time before your extension deadline, document everything you've tried and consider writing a letter to the IRS explaining the situation when you do finally file.

Just went through this exact situation! The IRS will send it to whatever address they have on file, which should be from your most recent return. But here's what really helped me - I called my local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and explained the address change situation. They were actually able to update my address over the phone and confirm where the letter would be sent. Way faster than waiting for Form 8822 to process. You can find your local office on IRS.gov under "Contact Your Local Office." Worth a shot if you're worried about timing!

Had a similar situation last year when I moved mid-tax season! One thing that really helped was also updating my address with ID.me directly through their website, not just with the IRS. Sometimes there's a disconnect between what the IRS has on file and what ID.me is using for verification purposes. Log into your ID.me account and make sure your current address is listed there too. Also, if you're really worried about timing, you might want to reach out to whoever currently lives at your old address (if possible) to give them a heads up that you might get some IRS mail there - most people are understanding about forwarding important tax documents. The verification process is stressful enough without worrying about mail delivery!

Just wanted to throw this out there - if you're getting a refund of around $1k on $35k income, that's pretty average. But if you really want to change it, the easiest thing is to use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator on their website. It's free and will tell you exactly what to put on your W-4. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator It's designed specifically for this situation and walks you through everything step by step. I use it every January to make sure I'm on track.

Keep in mind that if you adjust your W-4 to get close to zero refund, you're walking a fine line. If you miscalculate or your income changes, you might end up owing money at tax time. Some people prefer getting a refund as a forced savings mechanism. That said, $1000 on $35,000 income isn't crazy high for a refund. If you really want to reduce it, try changing your W-4 to claim an additional $4000 in deductions (not the full $5-6k recommended above) and see how that affects your paychecks. You can always adjust again mid-year if needed.