Whatever you do, don't ignore the unfiled returns!! My mom did that and her $4000 tax debt ballooned to over $15k with penalties and interest. The IRS has a "Fresh Start" program that might help your mom, but you can't qualify until all returns are filed. Check if your mom qualifies for free tax prep services too - VITA and TCE programs help seniors and low-income folks file for free. They might have extended hours with the deadline coming up.

I'm so sorry your mom is going through this - losing a spouse and then dealing with tax issues alone is incredibly overwhelming. The good news is there are definitely solutions, but you're right to act urgently. Since you only have 5 days, here's what I'd prioritize: First, file Form 4868 (extension) for both 2022 and 2023 returns RIGHT NOW. This buys you until October to file the actual returns and stops the failure-to-file penalties from getting worse. You can file extensions online for free through the IRS website. For the wage garnishment, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 first thing Monday morning and ask about setting up an installment agreement. Mention your mom's widowed status and financial hardship - they often have more flexibility for people in her situation. Also look into filing Form 911 (Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service) if you can't get through to the IRS or if they're not helpful. The Taxpayer Advocate is specifically for situations like this where normal IRS processes aren't working. Don't let her feel embarrassed about this - you're being an amazing daughter by stepping in to help. Many people struggle with taxes after losing a spouse, and the IRS has programs specifically designed to help people in financial hardship.

Remember you only have 3 years from the original filing date to amend a return, so don't wait too long! For a 2024 return, that means April 2028 is your deadline assuming you filed on time originally.

I went through something similar a few years ago - accidentally used the wrong year's 1099 forms. The key thing is to check the status of your original return first using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool online. If it shows as "accepted" or "approved," then you can proceed with filing Form 1040-X. Don't file the amendment until you see that status change though - it can create processing delays if you submit it too early. Once you do file the 1040-X, make sure to include a clear explanation in Part III of the form about using the wrong year's W2s. The IRS generally treats honest mistakes more favorably when you proactively correct them. Given that you owe more taxes with the correct 2024 W2s, time is somewhat of the essence to minimize interest charges, but waiting for the original return to be accepted first is still the right approach. You've got this!

Something nobody mentioned yet - for college students, there's the special rule that scholarship money doesn't count toward support calculations at all! So if your daughter gets any scholarships or grants, those amounts are completely excluded when figuring out total support and percentages. This often makes it easier for parents to meet the 50% threshold.

The key distinction you're asking about is absolutely correct - direct payments to the landlord are unambiguously considered YOUR support contribution, not a gift to your daughter. This is one of the clearest scenarios for the support test. Based on your numbers, you're in great shape to claim her as a dependent. You mentioned $1,350/month rent ($16,200 annually), plus tuition from the 529 plan, plus groceries and living expenses for the first 4 months. That's likely well over $30,000 in support you're providing. For your daughter to provide more than half of her own support, she'd need to spend more than the total amount you're contributing. With her campus job income of $800-900/month early in the year, and even if she gets a decent job after graduation, it would be very difficult for her to exceed your contribution level. Keep detailed records of all direct payments (rent, tuition, groceries) and any transfers you make that are designated for specific support purposes. The IRS Publication 501 has the complete rules, but your situation with direct landlord payments is exactly the type that clearly counts as parental support. One tip: calculate the total support for the entire year (including what she spends on herself) and make sure your portion exceeds 50% of that total amount.

I went through this EXACT situation last month. According to IRS Publication 2043, once a Direct Deposit Date is established, the IRS initiates the transfer but is not responsible for banking processing times. My Credit Karma deposit took exactly 30 hours after my DDD to appear, despite them advertising "early deposits." What finally worked was checking my account at precisely 3:14am when their overnight processing completed - suddenly there it was! The most frustrating part was that their customer service couldn't see it as pending either when I called them. For what it's worth, my brother-in-law had the same experience with his refund through Credit Karma two weeks ago.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! My DDD was today (April 17th) and still nothing in my Credit Karma account. Reading through these comments is actually really reassuring - sounds like this is pretty common with Credit Karma this tax season. I didn't realize their processing could take an extra day or two even after the IRS sends the money. Going to try checking my account early tomorrow morning like Tyrone suggested. It's frustrating that they advertise early deposits but then take longer than traditional banks for IRS refunds. Has anyone here actually contacted Credit Karma support about this specific issue, or is it just a matter of waiting it out?

that EIC looking nice tho 🔥

Based on your transcript, you should receive a refund of $5,158 ($1,800 + $4,313 - $855). The code 150 shows your tax liability of $855, while codes 766 and 768 are credits that exceed what you owe. Your processing date of March 3rd means you're likely looking at getting your refund within 21 days from that date, so potentially by late March. The April dates you see are just system posting dates and don't affect your actual refund timing. Keep checking "Where's My Refund" on the IRS website for updates!