I tried logging into the IRS website but I'm locked out because I don't have the right documents they need to verify my identity. Is there any other way to get transcripts without waiting for the mail?

If you're having trouble with the online account, you can also call the IRS transcript request line at 800-908-9946 to have them mailed, which is faster than using Form 4506-T. They typically arrive within 5-10 business days. Another option is to make an appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center where they can print your transcripts on the spot. You'll need to bring ID, but it's a way to get them immediately without dealing with the online verification issues.

That's a really important point! Any adjustments or additional assessments can start a new collection statute for those specific amounts. I've seen people get surprised by this too.

Yeah it was a complete shock to us! The IRS had disallowed a deduction years after the return was filed and assessed additional tax. Even though it was a small amount (like $840), it created a new 10-year collection period for that portion. And they were definitely still trying to collect it.

What exactly happens if you miss the deadline completely? Does the IRS automatically find out and penalize you, or is it something that only comes up if you get audited? Asking for a friend who may have missed this deadline last year...

If the excess contributions aren't removed by the deadline, they unfortunately remain in the plan and yes, they can be double-taxed. The excess amount will still be included in your taxable income for the year you made the contribution, and then it will be taxed again when you eventually withdraw it in retirement. There's no immediate penalty per se, but the double taxation is the real cost. The IRS doesn't automatically flag this - it would typically only come up during an audit. However, many plan administrators now report contribution limits to the IRS, so it's becoming more likely to be caught. Your friend should consult with a tax professional about their specific situation as there might be some remediation options depending on their circumstances.

This is actually incorrect advice that could cause more problems. You can't simply "redesignate" excess 401k contributions as after-tax contributions. The 401k contribution limit applies to the total of traditional and Roth contributions combined. After-tax contributions (non-Roth) are different and subject to the overall annual addition limit, not the employee deferral limit. What you might be thinking of is excess IRA contributions, which can sometimes be recharacterized, but 401k excess deferrals must be distributed with earnings.

You're right and I misspoke. I was confusing 401k with IRA recharacterization options. For 401ks, distribution of the excess is generally the only option. Thanks for the correction! What I should have mentioned is that some 401k plans do have after-tax contribution options (separate from Roth) which have different limits, but that wouldn't help with excess contributions to the regular pre-tax/Roth portion that's subject to the $23,000 limit for 2025.

Thanks for this advice. What specifically should I include in this documentation? Should I mention my suspicion that he hasn't filed taxes, or just stick to the facts about the W-4 exemption not seeming appropriate for someone at his income level?

Stick strictly to the facts and avoid speculation about his tax filing history or intentions. Your documentation should focus only on what you directly observe: that an employee making approximately $75,000 has claimed complete exemption from federal tax withholding, which appears unusual and potentially concerning from a compliance perspective. Phrase your concerns as questions rather than accusations. For example: "I noticed our operations manager has claimed exemption from all federal withholding despite having a salary of $75K. Given this income level, I want to confirm this is being handled correctly and that we're following proper procedures for verifying unusual W-4 claims.

That's a good point! The lock-in letter process shows the IRS definitely monitors these situations. My brother works in HR and said they received one for an employee who had claimed exempt for 3 years while making over 100k. The IRS specified exactly what withholding to use and they weren't allowed to change it without IRS approval.

I did this last year when my W-2 never showed up. Used my December paystub and filled out Form 4852. It worked fine but I had to file a paper return which took FOREVER to process. Got my refund like 5 months later. Also make sure your YTD (year to date) numbers are actually for the full year. My paystub reset the YTD fields in July for some weird reason so I had to add two numbers together. Check if you have an earlier paystub to compare.

Thanks for the info. I do have all my paystubs thankfully, so I can check the YTD totals. Did you just attach the 4852 form to your regular return? And did the IRS ever question any of your numbers or was it all accepted as submitted?

Quick question - if I end up filing with Form 4852 and estimated numbers, and later the actual W-2 data shows up in the IRS system with slightly different amounts, will I definitely need to amend? Or is there some threshold where small differences don't matter?

Oh wait, I do still have a savings account back in Canada with about $15,000 CAD in it. I had no idea I needed to report that! Is that going to cause problems? And does that mean I can't file early?

You definitely need to file an FBAR for that account since it exceeds $10,000. It's not part of your tax return though - it's filed separately through FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Don't panic! It's just an information reporting requirement, not a tax. You can still file your regular tax return early, and the FBAR is due April 15th with an automatic extension to October 15th. Make sure you also report any interest earned on that Canadian account on your US tax return (Schedule B). The fact that you're asking about this now is good - it's much better to handle it correctly from the start rather than having to fix it later!

I used IRS Free File last year as a new resident (moved from Australia). As long as you meet the income requirements (under $73,000 for most programs), your residency status doesn't affect eligibility. They'll ask questions about when you became a resident, but the free software handles it just fine!