I actually just went through this exact same scenario a few months ago! My credit union closed unexpectedly right after I filed my return. What I learned is that you absolutely cannot update your direct deposit info once the return is filed - the IRS system is locked in at that point. When the deposit bounces back, they'll automatically mail you a paper check to your address on file, but here's the catch: it can take 6-10 weeks from the bounce date, not from when you originally expected your refund. I'd suggest setting up USPS informed delivery if you haven't already, and definitely double-check that your current address is on file with the IRS. Don't stress too much about visiting your old bank - there's really nothing they can do at this point since the account is closed. The waiting game is frustrating, but the check will eventually come!

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I switched from Bank of America to a local credit union right after filing. Here's what actually happened: the IRS attempted the direct deposit about 3 weeks after my return was accepted, it bounced back within 2 business days, and then it took another 4 weeks for the paper check to arrive. The total delay was about 6 weeks longer than if I had just requested a paper check originally. One thing I wish I had known - you can check if your refund has been converted to a paper check by calling the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954. It won't tell you exactly when the check was mailed, but it will change from "direct deposit" to "check mailed" status. Also, make sure to update your address with both the IRS (Form 8822) and USPS mail forwarding just in case. The process is automatic once the deposit fails, so there's really nothing you need to do except wait and make sure your mailing address is current.

Contact IRS directly. Use Form 4852. File by deadline. Use last paystub for estimates. Keep all communication records. Document all contact attempts. Take screenshots of emails. This happened to me. IRS was helpful. Employer eventually sent W-2. Had to amend return. Minor inconvenience. Better than penalties.

This is frustrating but totally fixable! Since you've already tried the direct approach multiple times, here's what I'd do in order: 1. **Check online first** - Log into any employee portals (ADP, Workday, etc.) you might still have access to. Sometimes W-2s are available electronically even when physical copies aren't sent. 2. **Call the IRS** - Don't wait until after Feb 28th like some suggest. You can actually call them now at 800-829-1040 since it's already past the Jan 31 deadline. They'll contact your employer directly. 3. **File with Form 4852** - If you can't get your W-2 in time, use your last paystub to estimate wages and withholding on Form 4852. This is completely legitimate and won't flag you for audit. 4. **Document everything** - Keep records of all your communication attempts with the employer. The IRS may ask for this. The good news is your employer can face penalties for not providing your W-2 on time, so once the IRS contacts them, they usually get moving pretty quickly. Don't let their delay mess up your filing deadline!

Just to clarify something others haven't mentioned - when the bank rejects the deposit, you might see a temporary hold or pending transaction in your Where's My Refund status. This doesn't mean there's a problem with your return, just that the system is processing the rejection and converting to a paper check. The status will update again once the check is scheduled to be mailed.

I've been through this exact situation twice now (2021 and 2023) and can confirm what others are saying. The process is actually pretty streamlined once you understand it: The bank rejection happens within 1-3 business days of the IRS sending the deposit. Then it takes about 10-14 days for the IRS system to process the rejection and generate a paper check. The check itself takes another 7-10 days to arrive by mail. One thing I learned the hard way - if you use a tax prep service like H&R Block or TurboTax, they sometimes use temporary accounts for direct deposits, which can complicate things. But in your case with a regular investment account, it should be straightforward. The Where's My Refund tool will show "refund sent" when they attempt the direct deposit, then change to "check mailed" once they convert it. Don't panic if you see the first status for a week or so - that's normal processing time. Pro tip: Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery so you can see when the check is actually coming to your mailbox. Makes the waiting much less stressful!

I wonder if a Donor-Advised Fund might help in your situation. Instead of donating directly to charities each year, you can contribute a larger amount to a DAF in a single tax year (getting the full deduction subject to AGI limits), then distribute the money to charities over several years. This is especially useful if you have a high-income year and want to "bunch" several years of charitable giving into one tax year to exceed the standard deduction threshold, then take the standard deduction in subsequent years.

For what it's worth, I went through a similar thought process last year when I owed about $12,000 in taxes. I was also hoping charitable donations could somehow eliminate my tax bill entirely, but after doing the research (and talking to my CPA), I learned it just doesn't work that way. What I ended up doing was spreading my charitable giving across multiple years using a strategy someone mentioned - bunching donations. In 2023, I made a large donation that pushed my itemized deductions well above the standard deduction. This year, I'm taking the standard deduction and making smaller charitable contributions. It's not as satisfying as the "pay charity instead of IRS" fantasy I had, but it does optimize the tax benefits over time. One thing that helped me was realizing that even though the tax savings aren't dollar-for-dollar, I'm still doing good while reducing my tax burden somewhat. The $8,500 you're considering donating would genuinely help hurricane victims while saving you roughly $2,000+ in taxes (depending on your exact bracket). That's still meaningful, even if it's not the full amount you were hoping for.

Just want to add something no one's mentioned yet - if you're really serious about minimizing taxes through charitable giving, look into a Charitable Remainder Trust. It's more complex than just direct donations or a donor-advised fund, but it could provide income to you while still giving a significant portion to charity. With your inheritance situation, this might be worth exploring with a good tax attorney. It's not something to DIY, but could potentially be very tax-efficient depending on your specific situation.

Great advice in this thread! I wanted to add a few practical tips from my experience managing large charitable donations: 1) **Timing matters for stock donations** - If you're donating appreciated securities, make sure to initiate the transfer early in December if you want the deduction for the current tax year. Stock transfers can take several business days to complete. 2) **Keep detailed records** - With $85K in donations, the IRS will definitely scrutinize your return. Make sure you have proper documentation for every donation over $250, and get qualified appraisals for any non-cash donations over $5,000. 3) **Consider a mix of strategies** - You don't have to choose just one approach. You could donate some cash to hit the 60% AGI limit, then donate appreciated securities up to the 30% limit, and put additional funds in a donor-advised fund for future years. 4) **Plan for next year too** - Since you mentioned this is due to a windfall year, think about your charitable strategy for next year when your income might be different. The donor-advised fund gives you flexibility to smooth out your giving over multiple years. The reality is you probably won't eliminate your entire tax liability through donations alone, but you can definitely make a significant dent while supporting causes you care about!