Has anyone actually called the business where you work to see if there's an issue with their tax payments? It seems weird the IRS would come after an employee for the employer's share unless you're somehow classified as self-employed or a contractor.

Romeo, based on what you've found in your 2020 tax return with the Schedule SE deferral, this makes perfect sense now. The confusing "employer's share" language in the 3064C letter is referring to the employer portion of self-employment tax, not your W-2 employer's obligations. When you're self-employed, you pay both the employee AND employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes (that's why self-employment tax is 15.3% instead of the 7.65% taken from your paycheck). The CARES Act allowed you to defer paying half of that self-employment tax - specifically the "employer" half. Since you used TaxSlayer and it automatically selected the deferral option, you legitimately owe this money. The $2,700 seems high though - double-check that amount against what you actually deferred. You should be able to find the exact deferred amount on your 2020 Schedule SE. Don't stress too much about this being a "mistake" on your part. The tax software recommended it because it was financially beneficial at the time. Now you just need to pay what you deferred. If you can't pay it all at once, definitely set up a payment plan with the IRS - they're usually very reasonable about installment agreements for deferred pandemic taxes.

Called the Iowa DOR yesterday and got through after 45 mins on hold 🙄 They said theyre overwhelmed with calls about delays. basically told me to just keep waiting lol

Filed mine on Feb 3rd and still waiting too! This is so frustrating - I'm counting on that refund to pay some bills. Has anyone tried calling multiple times to see if you get different answers? Maybe some reps have more info than others? Really hoping this gets sorted out soon for all of us 🤞

Just went through this in March. Here's what you need to know: • Use CERTIFIED mail with tracking - non-negotiable • Send COPIES only, never originals • Include your case/letter number on EVERY page • Keep copies of everything you send • Expect 6-8 weeks minimum processing time • Check WMR tool weekly, not daily (wastes time) • Don't bother calling regular IRS lines - agents can't access verification status

I went through the mail verification process last fall and it was honestly less stressful than I expected once I got organized. The key is being thorough upfront - I made sure to send exactly what they requested, used certified mail with tracking, and included my letter reference number on every document. It took about 6 weeks total from mailing to getting my refund deposited. The hardest part was just being patient and not constantly checking the "Where's My Refund" tool every day! One tip: take a photo of everything before you mail it so you have a record of exactly what you sent. Good luck with your verification!

u should check if u have a 971 code coming up next. usually follows the 570

Looking at your transcript, the 570 code from March 20th typically indicates the IRS is reviewing your return for accuracy - this is pretty common with Head of Household filers claiming EIC, especially with the amount you're getting ($3,533). The good news is your refund amount of $5,784 is already calculated and shows as a credit balance. Since it's been several weeks already, you should expect movement soon. Keep checking your transcript weekly for a 971 code (notice issued) or 846 code (refund issued). The 971 usually comes first if they need additional verification from you. One thing I noticed - your transcript shows the credits dated April 16, 2023, but you mentioned this is from March 20, 2023. Just want to make sure you're looking at the right tax year's transcript (2022). If this timeline seems off, double-check you have the correct year selected. Most 570 holds resolve within 6-8 weeks without any action needed from you. Hang in there! 🤞

Has anyone here dealt with the green card application and its tax implications? I'm in a similar situation where I'm working in Canada but dating someone in the US and considering applying for a green card in 2025.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - moved from the US to the UK after my F-1 status and dealing with the complexity of dual tax obligations. A few additional points that might help: Regarding your question about proactive reporting - while you don't need to formally notify the IRS of your move, make sure you update your address with them using Form 8822. This ensures any correspondence reaches you in Germany. For the dual-status vs full-year resident question, consider the timing of your German employment start. If you began earning German income in November, a dual-status return might actually be more beneficial since you can exclude the German-sourced income from the non-resident portion of the year, potentially reducing your US tax liability. One thing to watch out for - if you're planning frequent US visits, keep detailed records of your entry/exit dates. The substantial presence test can be tricky with multiple short visits, and you'll need accurate day counts for Form 8840 if you claim the closer connection exception. Also, don't forget about potential German tax obligations on your 2024 US income. Germany generally taxes worldwide income for residents, so you might need to report your pre-November US earnings there too. The US-Germany tax treaty should prevent double taxation, but the paperwork can be complex. Good luck with everything! International tax compliance is definitely not straightforward, but staying organized with documentation will save you headaches later.