Tried this exact thing w/ my 16yo last year. Big mistake. IRS sent a letter about 2 months later asking about the missing W-2. Apparently they get copies of ALL W-2s issued with her SSN and their system automatically flags the discrepancy. Had to file an amended return, pay the difference plus interest. Tbh the $45 we tried to save ended up costing us more in the long run. Not worth the hassle.

Here's a specific example. My daughter. Age 17. Two jobs last year. Made $4,800 total. Under filing threshold. We included both W-2s. IRS has automated matching system. They know about both jobs. They will send notice if one is missing. Could trigger audit. Not worth the risk. Better to file correctly. Teach good habits now. She can use the refund for college savings. Tax compliance is important life skill.

Think of a government shutdown like a snowstorm hitting government services - some roads stay open (essential services) while others close temporarily. Compared to the 2019 shutdown, SNAP benefits now have better contingency plans. Back then, many recipients got February benefits in January with no clear guidance. For taxes, it's similar to how banks operate during holidays - certain automated processes continue while customer service is limited. If you're expecting a refund, electronic filing and direct deposit is like taking the express lane during a traffic jam - still your best option even during a shutdown.

Can someone clarify something about SNAP during shutdowns? If benefits get issued early like last time, do we still get the next month's benefits on schedule or is there a gap? And doesn't the IRS technically operate on user fees rather than appropriated funds anyway? Why would they even shut down?

Isn't it interesting how tax law evolves over time? The health insurance mandate was once a major financial consideration, and now it's essentially moot at the federal level. The previous commenter raises a valid point about additional scrutiny, but that's typically only if you received advance premium tax credits through the Marketplace and need to reconcile Form 8962. For a straightforward employment change with no Marketplace involvement, wouldn't you agree the process is much simpler? You simply report accurately and move forward without federal penalty concerns. The system is designed to collect the information while removing the financial burden that previously existed.

Unlike a missed 1099 or unreported income, which can trigger serious penalties, a health insurance gap is much less concerning these days. I've prepared hundreds of returns with coverage gaps since 2019, and none have faced federal penalties. It's nothing like the 2014-2018 period when penalties could run into thousands of dollars. Still, document everything carefully - if you're in California or Massachusetts, the state implications are real and can be substantial compared to other tax adjustments.

According to IRS Publication 5344, e-filed returns go through a multi-stage verification process before appearing in the transcript database. The IRS states that "taxpayers should allow up to 7 days after acceptance for return information to populate in internal systems." This is completely normal, especially during peak filing season. The delay between acceptance and transcript visibility is built into their workflow.

Most of us have been through this waiting game. The community consensus is that you shouldn't worry about transcript availability for at least a week after acceptance. If you're really concerned about your refund timing, you might want to sign up for direct deposit if you haven't already - it's typically 5-7 days faster than paper checks. Also, checking the transcripts daily won't make them process any faster, though we all do it anyway!

Have you considered what might happen if they file separately instead of jointly? Would that change the enforcement approach? And what about situations where the non-custodial parent is self-employed but doesn't report all income? Sometimes these collection methods rely too heavily on people operating within the system properly.

According to the Office of Child Support Enforcement website (acf.hhs.gov/css), another option to consider is requesting a case review through your state's child support agency. Many states have implemented enhanced collection methods beyond tax refund interception, including passport denial for debts over $2,500, credit bureau reporting, and property liens. The OCSE Federal Parent Locator Service might also help identify other income sources. Have you checked if your state has an online portal where you can track enforcement actions?