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Think of the IP PIN system like a digital deadbolt that changes every year - the IRS is basically sending you a new key for 2024. The online retrieval system is like having a spare key hidden under the mat - it's there when you need it! For your 2022 return, the address change might be like telling the post office where you live but forgetting to tell your grandmother - the IRS might be sending notices to your old address. Have you checked both your old and new address mail for any IRS correspondence?
I'm dealing with a very similar situation! Moved last spring and never got my 2024 IP PIN in the mail either. I ended up using the "Get an IP PIN" tool on IRS.gov after reading through these comments - it actually worked pretty smoothly once I got through the ID.me verification process. Just a heads up though, make sure you have a good internet connection and plenty of time when you do the identity verification - mine timed out twice before I got through successfully. For your 2022 return still in processing, I'd definitely recommend checking your online transcript first to see what codes are showing up. Sometimes there are specific hold codes that can give you clues about what's causing the delay. The address change could definitely be a factor - I had similar issues when I moved mid-tax season a few years back.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the online tool! I'm curious - how long did the ID.me verification process actually take once you got through? I'm planning to try this route but want to set aside enough time. Also, when you mention checking the transcript for hold codes, are there specific codes I should be looking for that indicate address-related delays? I'm new to reading these transcripts and they look pretty cryptic to me!
Unpopular opinion maybe but I think all this tax anxiety is overblown for most W-2 earners. I've filed my taxes in like 30 minutes using the free fillable forms directly from the IRS website for years. No software fees, no CPA costs. As long as you have your W-2s and 1099s in front of you, it's literally just copying numbers from one form to another. The "complicated" stuff like HSAs have dedicated worksheets with instructions. Unless you have a business or rental properties, paying someone hundreds of dollars seems excessive to me.
This assumes everyone has the same comfort level with tax forms as you do. I tried the free fillable forms once and got so confused I gave up halfway through. Some of us are willing to pay for the peace of mind that we didn't screw something up.
I've been following this thread with interest since I'm in a very similar boat - W-2 income, some investment activity, and an HSA. After reading everyone's experiences, I think the key is being honest about your own comfort level and the complexity of your situation. For what it's worth, I've found that even "simple" returns can have nuances that aren't immediately obvious. Last year I thought I had a straightforward filing until I realized I'd been handling my HSA distributions incorrectly for medical expenses. Cost me about $200 in additional taxes that could have been avoided. My takeaway from this discussion is that there's a middle ground between expensive CPAs and basic DIY software. Services like the tax optimization tools mentioned here, or even just getting a one-time consultation to review your approach, might be the sweet spot for people like us who aren't completely tax-illiterate but also don't want to leave money on the table. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - much more helpful than the generic advice you usually find online!
PSA: ALWAYS get a copy of any tax document filed on your behalf, whether original or amended. Your preparer should have provided this automatically. The fact that she doesn't even know if an amendment was filed is incredibly unprofessional and potentially fraudulent. I'd be getting a new tax preparer ASAP.
100% this! I had a preparer who turned out to be changing numbers on returns after I signed them. Only found out when I got audited. Always keep copies of EVERYTHING.
Based on what you're describing, this sounds like the IRS initiated an internal adjustment to your return, not something your tax preparer filed. The 971/977 codes with a February 2025 date are typically system-generated when the IRS finds discrepancies between what was reported to them (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and what's on your filed return. Your tax preparer's vague response about "maybe her assistant did it" is definitely concerning though. Any professional tax preparer should have complete records of what was filed under your name and when. I'd strongly recommend: 1. Demanding copies of your original return AND any amended returns they may have filed 2. Getting a detailed explanation of any communications they've had with the IRS on your behalf 3. Consider finding a new preparer for future years The good news is that these IRS-initiated adjustments often result in refund releases, especially if they're correcting calculation errors in your favor. Keep monitoring your transcript weekly - you should see additional transaction codes appear that will show exactly what they're adjusting. If you want definitive answers, try calling the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 (though be prepared for long hold times). An agent can tell you exactly what triggered the review and what changes are being made.
whatever u do DO NOT IGNORE THE LEVY!!! i did that and ended up homeless for 3 months when they took my whole paycheck. call the irs ASAP and explain ur situation. they can do hardship stuff if ur gonna lose housing. installment plans aren't that bad - i pay like $175/month on what i owed and they stopped the levy when i set it up. the ppl on the phone r actually kinda nice if ur honest with them.
First, take a deep breath - you DO have options and the IRS doesn't want to make you homeless. Call them immediately at 1-800-829-1040 and explain your hardship situation. Be honest about how the levy will affect your housing and employment. Based on your income situation, you'll likely qualify for one of these solutions: 1. **Economic Hardship Release** - Request immediate levy release since you can't afford basic living expenses. They can often process this within days. 2. **Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status** - If your necessary living expenses exceed your income, they'll temporarily stop collection actions. 3. **Installment Agreement** - Set up affordable monthly payments (could be as low as $25-50/month based on your financial situation). Before you call, gather documentation of your monthly expenses: rent, utilities, transportation, food, and medical costs. Fill out Form 433-F (Collection Information Statement) which shows your complete financial picture. The key is acting NOW - don't wait another day. The IRS agents are actually pretty reasonable when you're upfront about genuine hardship. They'd rather have you employed and housed making small payments than unemployed making no payments. You can get through this!
Amina Toure
Has anyone had success resolving this kind of issue through the IRS online account system? I'm dealing with a similar RSU situation but really don't want to mail in physical documents if I can avoid it. The CP2000 notice mentions something about responding online, but I'm not sure if that's effective for this type of issue.
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Oliver Zimmermann
ā¢I tried the online response system for my CP2000 RSU issue last year and wouldn't recommend it. The online system doesn't allow you to fully explain complex situations like this or attach multiple supporting documents. I ended up having to mail a paper response anyway after my online response was rejected. For something like RSU income that requires detailed explanation and documentation, the paper response route seems to be much more effective.
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Amina Toure
ā¢Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know. I was hoping to avoid the paper route, but it sounds like it's the better option for complex situations like this. I'll start preparing my documents for mailing instead of trying to force it through the online system.
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Alberto Souchard
I went through almost the exact same situation with my 2021 return! Got a CP2000 for about $42k in RSU income that was already on my W2. The stress was unreal - I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my taxes and was going to owe thousands. What really helped me was creating a simple chart showing the breakdown. I made three columns: "Source", "Amount", and "Already Taxed". Then I listed my base salary from my W2, the RSU amount from my W2 (which I found in Box 14 like others mentioned), and showed how they added up to my total W2 income in Box 1. Then I showed the same RSU amount on the 1099-DIV and wrote "DUPLICATE - already included above" next to it. I also included a copy of my final 2022 paystub that showed the year-to-date breakdown with RSUs listed separately, plus the tax withholding statements from when the shares vested. The IRS accepted my response within about 6 weeks and sent me a letter saying no additional tax was owed. The key is really just making it crystal clear to whoever reviews your case that this is the same income being reported twice, not two separate income sources. Don't panic - this is totally fixable!
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