Just a heads up that you might be eligible for the IRS First Time Penalty Abatement program since this sounds like an honest mistake. When you file your amended return, include a letter requesting this relief. Specifically mention that you had a good filing history before this issue and that the error was unintentional. This won't erase any additional tax you owe, but it could save you hundreds or thousands in penalties. Don't be afraid to ask for this directly - many people don't know about it and the IRS won't automatically apply it unless you request it!

Having dealt with a very similar excess Social Security withholding issue myself, I can tell you that while this feels overwhelming right now, it's definitely manageable! The key is being proactive and systematic about fixing it. First, definitely call the IRS before filing your amended return - explain the situation and ask them to put a hold on any collection actions while you're preparing the amendment. This gives you breathing room and shows good faith. When you file the 1040-X, make sure to include a detailed explanation letter describing exactly what happened (incorrectly assigned W-2s) and attach copies of both W-2s clearly showing which belongs to whom. The IRS appreciates transparency about mistakes. One thing I learned the hard way - double-check that your state return doesn't need amending too, since most states base their calculations on your federal return. And definitely request First Time Penalty Abatement if you have a clean filing history - this alone could save you significant money in penalties. The silver lining is that this type of error is very common and the IRS has seen it thousands of times. They have standard procedures for handling it, so once you get the paperwork sorted, the resolution should be straightforward.

Pro tip: Check if your local Taxpayer Advocate Service office is open. They can sometimes help if you're experiencing financial hardship due to the delay.

Code 570 is definitely frustrating - I'm going through the same thing right now. From what I've learned, it just means your return is under review and they've temporarily frozen any refund processing. The good news is that it doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your return, just that they need more time to process it. I've been checking my transcript every Friday and haven't seen any movement yet, but trying to stay patient. Hang in there!

Pro tip: if you have to mail in documents, send them to the SPECIFIC address for 5447C letters. It's different from the regular IRS mailing address. Made that mistake and it delayed my process by weeks. 🤦‍♂️

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and it was definitely stressful! One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline and keeping detailed notes of every step. I'd also recommend checking the IRS website for processing times - they usually update it regularly so you know what to expect. The whole identity verification thing is a pain, but once you get through it, your refund should process normally. Hang in there! 💪

I went through something similar. The "financial guy" your friend is working with sounds sketchy. Nobody should need 6-7 months to investigate this! Tell your friend to call the IRS directly at 800-919-9835 and request a Payment Trace. They'll likely need to fill out Form 3911. Another thing - is this "financial guy" charging a fee? Because getting help with a missing stimulus payment should NOT cost anything. The IRS will help directly and for free.

Your friend should definitely bypass that "financial advisor" - 6-7 months is way too long and honestly sounds like they might be trying to charge unnecessary fees. The IRS has specific procedures for this exact situation. Here's what worked for me when my stimulus went to a closed account: First, have your friend get their IRS account transcript online (not just the tax return transcript). This will show exactly when and where the payment was sent. Then call the IRS Payment Trace line at 800-919-9835 and request a formal payment trace using Form 3911. The key is being persistent with the phone calls - try calling first thing in the morning (8am) when hold times are shorter. When they reach an agent, they should specifically mention that the payment was sent to a closed bank account and the funds were never received. The IRS can usually reissue these payments within 4-6 weeks once they confirm the original payment was returned by the bank. Don't let anyone charge you for this service - it's completely free through the IRS directly!

Welcome to the DDD club! 🎉

Congrats on finally getting your DDD! That identity verification wait can be nerve-wracking but sounds like everything worked out. Thanks for sharing your timeline - it really helps those of us still waiting to know what to expect. Enjoy that refund when it hits! 🙌