i work for a tax prep company (not saying which one lol) and we're seeing TONS of these identity verification requests this year, way more than normal. average time is about 3-4 weeks for processing after documents are submitted. just be patient, it'll come through eventually

Wisconsin here too! Just went through this exact same thing last month. Got the verification letter in mid-March, submitted everything within 2 days, and my refund hit my account exactly 21 days later. The waiting was torture but it did come through. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through the Wisconsin tax portal - at least then I got notifications when the status changed instead of obsessively checking every day. Also make sure your bank info is correct in their system because apparently some people had delays because of outdated banking details. The whole process definitely sucks but you're not alone in this. Seems like half of Wisconsin got these letters this year!

Just wanted to share a success story! After finding information on irs.gov about the Taxpayer Advocate Service, I reached out due to a financial hardship (was about to miss mortgage payment). According to the IRS website, this is exactly what TAS is designed for. Got an advocate assigned within 2 weeks, and they resolved my issue in another 3 weeks. My advice based on my experience: document your hardship thoroughly and be patient but persistent with follow-ups.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Isabella! I'm in a similar boat - been waiting 4 months for my refund and getting different answers every time I call. The financial stress is real when you're counting on that money. I'm definitely going to try the TAS route based on what everyone's saying here. It sounds like having an advocate who actually knows what they're doing is worth the effort. Did your advocate give you any timeline estimates when you first got assigned? I'm trying to manage my expectations while still hoping for a reasonable resolution timeframe.

Has anyone used tax software to help document this? I'm trying to sell my lake house next year and worried about the same issue.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my cabin that I lived in for 2.5 years. One thing that really helped strengthen my documentation was getting a letter from my homeowner's insurance company showing when I changed my policy to reflect it as my primary residence rather than a vacation home. Insurance companies are pretty strict about this distinction, so having that official record carries weight. Also, if you had any home deliveries during that time (Amazon, FedEx, etc.), those delivery records can be surprisingly useful. I was able to get a summary from Amazon showing hundreds of deliveries to that address over my residency period, which clearly established it as my primary residence rather than just a vacation spot. Don't forget about banking records too - if you changed your address with your bank or credit union, or if you have ATM usage patterns showing regular transactions near the second home, those can help fill in gaps in your timeline.

Can someone explain WHY banks give 1042-S for promotions? I got $200 from Bank of America for opening an account and now im dealing with this form too. I'm Canadian also. Isn't a promotion more like a gift than interest??

I'm in a very similar situation as a Canadian who received a US bank promotion bonus! After reading through all these responses, I wanted to share what I learned from my own research and talking to a cross-border tax specialist. For non-resident aliens like us, the key points are: - The 1042-S is just an information return - you don't file it yourself - Income code 29 with zeros in boxes 7 and 10 typically means no US filing requirement - However, you MUST report this income on your Canadian tax return as foreign income One thing I didn't see mentioned is that some provinces have different rules for reporting foreign income, so it's worth checking your specific provincial requirements too. Also, keep the 1042-S form for your records - CRA might ask for it if they have questions about the foreign income you reported. The US-Canada tax treaty generally protects Canadian residents from double taxation on this type of income, which is why you likely see zero withholding. But Canada still wants to tax you on it since you're a Canadian resident.

I wonder if the IRS treats different types of athletes differently. Like would a pro golfer have an easier time claiming stem cell therapy as a business expense vs someone in a "hobby" sport that might not generate as much income? My brother does competitive rock climbing and had an expensive treatment last year.

This is a fascinating case study in how the tax code applies to modern medicine! As someone who works with several professional athletes, I've found that the IRS is generally receptive to these deductions when you can clearly establish the business necessity. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure to document the timeline showing how the injury was affecting your client's performance/earning potential before treatment, and then track their return to competition afterward. This creates a clear before/after narrative that strengthens the business purpose argument. Also consider having your client's agent or team management provide a letter confirming that maintaining peak physical condition is essential to their contracts and endorsement deals. Sometimes having that third-party business perspective helps demonstrate it's not just a personal health choice but a legitimate business decision. The $8,500 cost is significant enough that proper documentation now could save thousands in taxes, so it's worth investing the time to build a bulletproof case file.