Have you thought about seeing if you qualify for the IRS Free File program or trying to e-file? I know when you're many years behind it seems like paper is the only option, but some tax software can still e-file returns from 2020.

Just want to echo what others have said about making copies and using certified mail - this is absolutely critical when filing old returns! I made the mistake of not doing this with a 2019 return I filed late, and when the IRS claimed they never received it, I had no proof of mailing. One additional tip: consider including a cover letter with your return explaining that this is a late filing for 2020 and briefly stating why you're filing late. While it won't eliminate penalties, it can sometimes help with penalty abatement requests later if you have reasonable cause. Also, if you owe money, try to pay as much as you can when you file - even a partial payment will stop the failure-to-pay penalty from accruing on that portion. The IRS is generally more willing to work with taxpayers who are making a good faith effort to get compliant, so filing now (even though it's very late) is definitely better than continuing to avoid it.

Back in 2021, I had the same issue with changing 'as of' dates. What I learned is that this indicates your return is actively being worked on in batches. The IRS processes returns in weekly cycles, and the 'as of' date is when your account is scheduled for the next processing cycle. If you verified in person on 2/26, you're about 4 weeks into what can be a 6-9 week process post-verification. I'd expect to see movement by mid-April based on current processing patterns.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed on 2/8, verified identity in person on 2/28, and my 'as of' date has changed from 3/4 to 3/11 to 3/18 and now shows 4/1. My transcript still shows absolutely nothing for 2023. It's so frustrating because the IRS2Go app just keeps saying "still processing" with no real timeline. I've been checking daily and it's honestly making me more anxious. Has anyone here actually gotten through to speak with an IRS representative about this specific issue? I'm wondering if calling would even help or if they'd just tell me to wait longer.

I've been through the verification process three times in the past five years. In 2019, it took 8 weeks. In 2022, it took 5 weeks. This year, it took just over 3 weeks. My experience suggests that processing times have improved, but it still varies quite a bit. One thing I've learned is that checking your account transcript is more helpful than the Where's My Refund tool - the transcript will show code changes before WMR updates. Also, if you verified online rather than by mail or phone, you'll typically see faster processing.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since you're going through this right now. I completed my identity verification on February 28th and got my refund deposited on March 25th - so exactly 25 days total. Like others mentioned, the key is checking your transcript regularly on the IRS website rather than just relying on Where's My Refund. I saw my 570 code appear after about 2 weeks, then 571 about a week later, and DDD showed up 3 days after that. The 9-week timeframe is definitely their worst-case scenario to manage expectations. Since you mentioned this is your first time filing after divorce, make sure all your personal info matches exactly what the IRS has on file - any discrepancies can add delays. Hang in there, it's likely going to be much faster than 9 weeks!

Don't forget to check for any garnishments! Sounds weird but sometimes if you have an unpaid ticket or something that went to collections, they can garnish wages without you realizing.

As someone who's dealt with payroll discrepancies before, I'd definitely recommend starting with the FICA tax angle that Oliver mentioned - that $200 difference sounds like it could be exactly that 7.65% withholding if you're exempt as an F-1 student. But here's another angle to consider: check if your employer used a different pay period calculation than you expected. Sometimes summer jobs will show gross pay that includes partial weeks or overlapping pay periods that can make the math seem off when you're just adding up what hit your bank account. Also, don't overlook state-specific deductions. Some states have disability insurance, transit taxes, or other mandatory withholdings that might not be clearly labeled on your W2 but would show up in your gross-to-net calculation. The good news is that as an international student, you're actually in a better position than most to get this resolved because there are specific IRS guidelines about what can and can't be deducted from your pay. Document everything and don't be afraid to push back if something seems wrong - employers make mistakes with international student payroll more often than they'd like to admit.

Has anyone actually compared the tax brackets from last year to this year? I heard they adjusted for inflation but not sure if that would cause such a big refund difference??

I went through something similar last year and it's really frustrating when you're expecting a certain amount! One thing that might help is to look at your actual tax liability from both years rather than just the refund amount. Your refund is essentially how much you overpaid in taxes through withholding minus what you actually owe. So if your tax liability went up (due to the DoorDash income and losing education credits as others mentioned), but your withholding stayed roughly the same, that would directly reduce your refund. The DoorDash income is particularly tricky because not only does it increase your regular income tax, but you also owe that 15.3% self-employment tax on it. For next year, you might want to make quarterly estimated tax payments if you continue doing gig work, or adjust your W-4 to have more withheld from your regular job to cover the additional tax from side income. This way you won't get hit with a surprise smaller refund (or potentially owe money) again.