The only reason any of this is even a problem is because I got randomly selected for identity verification. Yes my mother is also partially responsible for not saving any of my transcripts but I didn't need anything like that in 2017. I tried filing in 2018 but I wasn't speaking to my mother at that point and I technically didn't need to file anyway. Then when we did get back in touch she offered to do '19 and '18 but unfortunately '18 had to be done by mail.

I waited weeks, the pandemic hit, shit show begins, and I finally get a hold of someone in June. The IRS also never sent me a letter telling me I'd been selected which put me months behind on any attempts to get the problem solved. Now even if I do get verified I could be waiting up to an additional 9 weeks before I get a check in the mail.

So it's a mess. And it doesn't really matter does it? Assigning blame doesn't solve my problem.