Just want to add another perspective here - if you're using TurboTax specifically, they have a feature called "Transfer Last Year's Data" that can sometimes help recover your Self-Select PIN. When you import your prior year return, it might pull in the PIN information automatically. Also, for future reference, I always write my Self-Select PIN on a sticky note and put it with my tax documents folder. Learned this lesson the hard way after going through the same panic as OP! The PIN is something you create, so there's no "official" record of it anywhere except what you or your software saved. One more thing - if you're still stuck and need to e-file today, try entering your prior year AGI as suggested above, but make sure you're using the exact amount from line 11 of your 2023 Form 1040. Don't round it or estimate - it has to match exactly what the IRS has on file.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and felt like I was going crazy! Here's what I learned that might help: If you're using the same tax software as last year, try logging into your account from last year's filing. Many people don't realize that tax software companies often store your previous year's filing information, including the Self-Select PIN, in your account profile. Look for sections like "My Account," "Tax History," or "Previous Returns." Also, check if you saved any screenshots or notes when you filed last year. I started taking a screenshot of my confirmation page after learning this lesson - it shows the PIN right there. If none of that works, definitely go with the prior year AGI method that others mentioned. It's actually more reliable than trying to remember a random 5-digit number you created a year ago! The IRS specifically allows this as an alternative verification method for exactly this reason. And here's a pro tip for next year: when you create your new Self-Select PIN, write it down in two places - one with your tax documents and one in a password manager or secure note on your phone. You'll thank yourself next April!

Thank you so much everyone for this incredibly detailed and helpful thread! As the original poster, I'm honestly overwhelmed by the amount of practical advice and real-world experiences you've all shared. This has been way more valuable than anything I found in the official IRS documentation. Based on all your recommendations, here's my updated action plan: 1. Contact my Japanese employer TODAY to clarify apostille requirements and preferred delivery method (especially given Anastasia's point about some Japanese tax advisors preferring direct delivery) 2. Submit Form 8802 online through pay.gov using my old address from my tax return 3. Request certification for both this year and next year on the same application 4. Use the third-party appointee section for delivery to my current address (or directly to employer if they prefer) 5. Save that confirmation number screenshot that Freya mentioned! A couple quick questions: Should I request multiple copies upfront just in case, or can I always request additional copies later if needed? Also, given the improved processing times Anastasia mentioned, does anyone think 2 months is actually plenty of time, or should I still be concerned about the deadline? Will definitely update this thread once I complete the process - hopefully this can serve as a comprehensive guide for others facing the same situation. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and expertise!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm a newcomer here but dealing with a very similar situation - my employer in Singapore just requested Form 6166 and I was completely lost until I found this discussion. The step-by-step guidance from everyone, especially the tips about online submission through pay.gov and checking apostille requirements upfront, has been invaluable. I had no idea about the address matching requirement or the option to request multiple years on one application. One quick question for the group: Has anyone dealt with Singapore-specific requirements for Form 6166? I'm wondering if there are any unique authentication or formatting requirements I should be aware of before I submit my Form 8802. Also want to echo what others have said - @James Johnson, you've got such a comprehensive roadmap now between all the advice shared here. The two-month timeline definitely seems manageable based on the processing times people have mentioned, especially with online submission. Looking forward to hearing how your process goes!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through a very similar situation. The "wait and report after leaving" strategy mentioned by others is actually quite effective, but I'd also suggest documenting everything NOW while you're still there. Start keeping detailed records of: your work schedule, any emails showing you're required to be in the office, descriptions of your ongoing duties vs. project-based work, and any communications about your employment status. Take screenshots of job postings if they advertised your position differently than how you're classified. This documentation will be crucial whether you decide to approach your employer directly, file with the IRS, or report after finding a new job. I made the mistake of not documenting enough in my situation, and it made proving my case much harder later. Also, consider checking if your company has an HR department or if decisions are made by one person. Sometimes the person doing payroll doesn't fully understand classification rules, and bringing it to HR's attention (framed as a compliance question) might resolve it without drama. But definitely have that documentation ready first, just in case.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is checking if your company has any policies or employee handbook that might inadvertently contradict your contractor classification. Many employers slip up by including 1099 workers in employee-only policies or expecting them to follow the same rules as W-2 staff. Also, since you mentioned the other admin has been there 12 years, that's actually a huge red flag for the IRS. Long-term "contractor" relationships, especially for ongoing administrative work, are classic misclassification cases. The IRS specifically looks for situations where someone performs the same role for years as evidence of an employer-employee relationship rather than true independent contracting. You might want to research what happened to other companies in your industry who got caught doing this. Sometimes showing your employer news articles about similar businesses facing penalties can be more persuasive than citing IRS regulations directly. It makes the risk feel more real and immediate. And honestly, given that you're new and they've been misclassifying the other admin for over a decade, this company is probably sitting on a pretty significant tax liability if the IRS ever investigates. That might actually work in your favor if you do decide to have a direct conversation about reclassification.

I think people sometimes misunderstand these reviews. They're not always bad news! • Many reviews are truly random (part of IRS compliance sampling) • Some are triggered by specific items but don't mean you did anything wrong • Reviews without document requests often resolve faster • The IRS actually does finish many reviews earlier than the timeline they quote My review last year finished in 3.5 weeks even though they quoted me 6 weeks. I was surprised when my deposit just showed up!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed on February 15th and just got the notice yesterday. What's been most frustrating is that the IRS website just says "under review" with no additional details about what specifically they're looking at. From what I've read here and elsewhere, it sounds like the foreign tax credits are probably what flagged your return - they seem to trigger these reviews pretty frequently even when everything is correct. I'm planning for the full 6 weeks but hoping it resolves sooner. Has anyone had luck getting more specific information about what part of their return is being reviewed when they call?

Check your tax transcript. Online. Might show what the original issue was. Could give you clues. Worth a look. Faster than waiting.

Ana, I understand your concern about receiving Notice 1462! As others have mentioned, this notice is essentially the IRS saying "we received your response and are working on it." Since you mentioned being recently retired, I'm curious - do you recall what the original notice was about? Given that you're dealing with new retirement income sources like pension and Social Security, the original issue might have been related to income reporting discrepancies. The good news is that Notice 1462 means they're actively reviewing your case, not that there's a new problem. Since you're so well-organized with your tax documents (love the color-coded folders!), you're already ahead of the game. I'd recommend checking your online IRS account or requesting a tax transcript as Kendrick suggested - this might give you more insight into what triggered the original notice. The waiting period can be nerve-wracking, but try not to stress. The IRS is just extremely backlogged right now. Keep doing what you're doing with your tax preparer, and you should be fine!