I didn't even think of that! Just checked my employee portal and my W-2 was sitting there since January. Feel kinda dumb now but I'm relieved. Thanks for the suggestion - would have been waiting forever for nothing.

Not only with your employer but also directly with the IRS by filing form 8822! I learned this the hard way last year.

How do you find out the exact "gross vehicle weight" of your car? Is that in the manual or something? I have a Ford Explorer and wondering if I qualify.

You can find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb. It's usually listed on a manufacturer's label there. For a Ford Explorer, it depends on the specific model and year - some of the larger models do exceed 6,000 pounds GVWR, but many don't. You can also check your owner's manual or contact your dealer with your VIN number. This weight is the manufacturer's designated total loaded weight capacity, not the vehicle's weight when empty, which is an important distinction.

Is a Toyota Camry considered a "luxury auto" by IRS standards though? I thought that only applied to like BMW and Mercedes type cars?

I hadn't even considered an EA! How did you find one who specializes in tech compensation? That price point sounds much more reasonable than what the CPAs are quoting.

I found mine through the National Association of Enrolled Agents website (naea.org) - they have a directory where you can search by specialty. I filtered for ones who listed "equity compensation" as a specialty. Many EAs who work with tech employees advertise their familiarity with ISOs, RSUs, ESPPs, and startup equity. Some even offer free initial consultations where you can discuss your situation before committing. I'd look for someone who has experience with both rental properties and equity compensation specifically. The sweet spot for your situation is definitely an EA who has tech industry experience but doesn't charge CPA rates.

Does FreeTaxUSA handle multi-state returns well? I have property in one state but live in another like OP.

Do they look at your assets too or just income? I have some money in savings that I really don't want to touch because it's for emergencies, but I'm worried they'll make me use that to pay down the tax debt instead of continuing on a payment plan.

They look at both income and assets. The IRS uses standard financial guidelines to determine what they consider necessary living expenses versus disposable income. They typically expect you to use liquid assets (like savings) that exceed their allowable emergency fund threshold to pay down your tax debt. That said, they generally allow you to keep some reasonable emergency savings - but their definition of "reasonable" might differ from yours. If your total debt exceeds $25,000, preparing a detailed financial statement using Form 433-F before calling can help you understand where you stand.

Adding a new tax year doesn't reset the collection statute for the original tax debt. Each tax year has its own 10-year collection statute expiration date (CSED). Your 2022 taxes will still expire 10 years from when they were assessed, and your 2023 taxes will have their own 10-year period. However, certain actions like submitting an Offer in Compromise or leaving the country for an extended period can pause the clock. Simply modifying an installment agreement to add a new tax year won't extend the original CSED.

Thank you! I just checked and I do see that option now. I think part of my confusion was that I started by saying "No" to receiving the form, which took me down a different path. When I went back and looked for the option you mentioned, I found it. I'll try entering just the graduation fees I paid in 2024. Does anyone know if graduation fees qualify as education expenses for tax purposes?

Graduation fees sometimes qualify and sometimes don't - it depends on whether they were required for your enrollment or attendance. Generally, optional fees like ceremony costs, cap and gown, etc., don't qualify. But required graduation fees that you had to pay to receive your degree would typically count as qualified education expenses. If you're unsure, check your student account statement to see how the fees are categorized. Required fees will usually qualify, while optional services typically don't.

That's exactly right. According to IRS guidelines, educational institutions don't need to issue a 1098-T if there were no qualified tuition and related expenses paid that year, or if all expenses were covered by scholarships/grants. The November 2023 payment would've been on the 2023 form (with box 7 checked since the classes were in 2024).