Have you thought about seeing if you qualify for the IRS Free File program or trying to e-file? I know when you're many years behind it seems like paper is the only option, but some tax software can still e-file returns from 2020.

Just want to echo what others have said about making copies and using certified mail - this is absolutely critical when filing old returns! I made the mistake of not doing this with a 2019 return I filed late, and when the IRS claimed they never received it, I had no proof of mailing. One additional tip: consider including a cover letter with your return explaining that this is a late filing for 2020 and briefly stating why you're filing late. While it won't eliminate penalties, it can sometimes help with penalty abatement requests later if you have reasonable cause. Also, if you owe money, try to pay as much as you can when you file - even a partial payment will stop the failure-to-pay penalty from accruing on that portion. The IRS is generally more willing to work with taxpayers who are making a good faith effort to get compliant, so filing now (even though it's very late) is definitely better than continuing to avoid it.

I've been through the verification process three times in the past five years. In 2019, it took 8 weeks. In 2022, it took 5 weeks. This year, it took just over 3 weeks. My experience suggests that processing times have improved, but it still varies quite a bit. One thing I've learned is that checking your account transcript is more helpful than the Where's My Refund tool - the transcript will show code changes before WMR updates. Also, if you verified online rather than by mail or phone, you'll typically see faster processing.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since you're going through this right now. I completed my identity verification on February 28th and got my refund deposited on March 25th - so exactly 25 days total. Like others mentioned, the key is checking your transcript regularly on the IRS website rather than just relying on Where's My Refund. I saw my 570 code appear after about 2 weeks, then 571 about a week later, and DDD showed up 3 days after that. The 9-week timeframe is definitely their worst-case scenario to manage expectations. Since you mentioned this is your first time filing after divorce, make sure all your personal info matches exactly what the IRS has on file - any discrepancies can add delays. Hang in there, it's likely going to be much faster than 9 weeks!

The IRS systems are such a mess rn... one status means something different every other day i stg 🤡

I experienced the exact same thing! Mine changed from "not processed" to "not available" about 2 weeks ago and I was panicking thinking something went wrong. But then last Friday I checked and boom - DDD appeared with a deposit date for this week! The "not available" status seems to be their way of saying they're actively working on it. Definitely check daily because once it updates, things move fast. Good luck! 🤞

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Form 2210! If you miss estimated payments but have a reasonable cause, you can sometimes get penalties waived by filing this form with your tax return. Valid reasons can include casualty losses, disasters, or other unusual circumstances. Also, the quarterly payment system is not actually quarters of the calendar year, which trips up a lot of new freelancers. The due dates are: - April 15 (for Jan-Mar income) - June 15 (for Apr-May income) - September 15 (for Jun-Aug income) - January 15 of the next year (for Sep-Dec income

@Brady Clean, based on your income level ($3,200-4,000/month), you'll likely owe more than $1,000 in taxes, so you would normally need to make quarterly payments. However, since you started freelancing in April, you might still be okay if you had enough tax withholding from your W-2 job earlier this year. The key is whether your total withholding from January-March covers at least 100% of what you owed in taxes last year (the "safe harbor" rule others mentioned). If it does, you're protected from penalties even if you don't make estimated payments. If you don't qualify for safe harbor, you technically should have made payments by June 15th and September 15th already. But don't stress too much - the penalties aren't catastrophic. You can still make your remaining payments (due January 15th) and minimize further penalties. My recommendation: Calculate whether you qualify for safe harbor first. If not, make a payment for the January 15th deadline and consider catching up on any missed payments. The IRS is generally reasonable about first-time situations, especially if you make a good faith effort to comply going forward.

Don't forget to check for any garnishments! Sounds weird but sometimes if you have an unpaid ticket or something that went to collections, they can garnish wages without you realizing.

As someone who's dealt with payroll discrepancies before, I'd definitely recommend starting with the FICA tax angle that Oliver mentioned - that $200 difference sounds like it could be exactly that 7.65% withholding if you're exempt as an F-1 student. But here's another angle to consider: check if your employer used a different pay period calculation than you expected. Sometimes summer jobs will show gross pay that includes partial weeks or overlapping pay periods that can make the math seem off when you're just adding up what hit your bank account. Also, don't overlook state-specific deductions. Some states have disability insurance, transit taxes, or other mandatory withholdings that might not be clearly labeled on your W2 but would show up in your gross-to-net calculation. The good news is that as an international student, you're actually in a better position than most to get this resolved because there are specific IRS guidelines about what can and can't be deducted from your pay. Document everything and don't be afraid to push back if something seems wrong - employers make mistakes with international student payroll more often than they'd like to admit.