Have you called the Treasury Offset Program directly? Sometimes they have more info than the state does. Their number is 800-304-3107. You'll need your ex's SSN and your case number.

I went through this exact same situation in Massachusetts last year! The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're counting on that money. Here's what I learned from my experience: The 4-8 week timeline is pretty accurate, but it can stretch longer during tax season. Mine took about 7 weeks total. What really helped me was keeping a log of every call I made and who I spoke with - it made follow-up calls way more productive. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that you should ask the MA DOR for the "offset notification letter" - this shows the exact amount that was sent from the federal government and when. If there's a discrepancy between what you expect and what you receive, this letter is crucial. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your address is current with both the IRS and MA DOR. I've seen cases where payments get delayed because they're sent to old addresses. The waiting sucks but hang in there - the money will come through!

Don't forget to check with your dental insurance first! Some plans cover Invisalign partially if it's medically necessary. Mine covered about 25% of the cost because my dentist documented that I had TMJ issues. That reduced the amount I needed to try claiming on taxes.

Great question! I went through this exact situation last year with my Invisalign treatment. The key is getting proper documentation from your orthodontist that clearly states the treatment is for medical necessity - jaw pain, bite correction, TMJ issues, etc. A few important points to consider: 1. **Medical expense deduction threshold**: You'll need total medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your AGI to itemize and deduct. This includes ALL medical costs - insurance premiums, prescriptions, doctor visits, etc. 2. **HSA/FSA route**: This is often better than the tax deduction route since you use pre-tax dollars without meeting any threshold. Most FSA administrators will approve orthodontic work if you have documentation of medical necessity. 3. **Documentation is key**: Ask your orthodontist for a letter specifically stating that the Invisalign is being prescribed to treat your bite and alignment issues causing jaw pain. Most orthodontists are very familiar with providing this type of documentation. 4. **Track everything**: Keep receipts for the treatment cost, travel to appointments, and any related expenses. Given your situation with documented jaw pain and bite issues, you should definitely qualify for either the medical expense deduction (if you meet the threshold) or FSA reimbursement if your employer offers one. The medical necessity aspect is clearly established in your case.

I feel your pain - went through this exact same thing last year! My verification letter took 21 days to arrive, so you're definitely still within the normal range even though it's frustrating. A couple things that might help while you wait: - Try calling early in the morning (8-9 AM) when call volumes are lower - sometimes you can get better info about whether your letter was actually mailed - Make sure your mailbox is secure and check with neighbors in case it got misdelivered - If you're in a rush, definitely try that in-person appointment suggestion someone mentioned above - I wish I had known about that option! The waiting is absolutely the worst part, but once you get that letter the actual verification process is pretty quick. You should have your refund within 1-2 weeks after completing it. Keep checking your mail - it'll come!

I'm currently going through this same exact situation! Filed my return 3 weeks ago, tried the online ID verification multiple times but it kept failing, so I called and they told me to wait for the verification letter. It's been 12 days now and still nothing in my mailbox. What's really frustrating is that every time I call, I get a different agent who gives me slightly different information. One said 14-16 days, another said "up to 21 business days," and the last one couldn't even confirm if the letter had been generated yet. The inconsistency is maddening when you're just trying to get your own money back! I'm definitely going to try that in-person appointment suggestion - had no idea that was even an option. Also going to set up that USPS informed delivery thing to at least know what's coming. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's weirdly comforting to know I'm not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare!

To answer your original question more specifically, here's a comprehensive list of common paycheck deduction acronyms: - FIT/FWT/Fed WH = Federal Income Tax - SIT/SWT/State WH = State Income Tax - SS/OASDI = Social Security - Med = Medicare - SDI = State Disability Insurance - SUI = State Unemployment Insurance - 401K = Retirement Contribution - HSA = Health Savings Account - FSA = Flexible Spending Account - LTD = Long-Term Disability - STD = Short-Term Disability Your payroll department should also be able to provide you with a complete explanation of all deductions specific to your company.

is it normal for the state tax to be so much higher than federal?? on my check the state one is $40 but federal is only $25 which seems backwards. i live in california if that matters.

This is a really helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat with ISOs from my startup and was getting overwhelmed by all the AMT implications. One thing I wanted to add - make sure you check with your company's stock plan administrator about any specific requirements they have for disqualifying dispositions. My company required me to notify them within 30 days of the sale so they could properly report the compensation income on my W-2. Some companies handle this automatically through their brokerage, but others need manual notification. Also, if your company stock is still private/pre-IPO, the calculation of FMV at exercise might need additional documentation for the IRS. The tax implications everyone's discussed are spot on, but don't forget about the administrative side with your employer. Better to get ahead of it now than scramble at tax time!

I went through a similar situation with my ISOs last year and can share some additional considerations beyond the great advice already given here. One thing that really caught me off guard was the state tax implications - even though the federal treatment becomes straightforward with a disqualifying disposition, some states have different rules. Also, if you're planning to do the same-day sale and rebuy strategy, make sure you have enough cash flow to handle the immediate tax hit. With a disqualifying disposition, you'll owe ordinary income tax on that $16,250 bargain element (1,250 shares × $13 spread) in the year of sale, which could be a significant amount depending on your tax bracket. One more practical tip - if your company uses a third-party administrator like Carta or Shareworks for stock plans, they often have calculators that can model different sale scenarios including the tax implications. Might be worth checking if your company has something like that available before you make your final decision. The wash sale rule clarification from earlier comments is spot on - since you're selling at a gain, you're in the clear there. But definitely coordinate with your company on the reporting requirements as others mentioned!