Don't worry at all - Box 15 questions are super common for first-time filers! I remember being in the exact same spot a few years ago. Box 15 simply identifies which state you worked in during the tax year. What makes it important is how it connects with the other state-related boxes on your W2. Box 16 shows your state wages (how much you earned in that state), and Box 17 shows the state income tax that was already withheld from your paychecks. When you're using your free online tax software, make sure to enter all three of these boxes (15, 16, and 17) accurately. The software will then determine whether you need to file a state return for that state, and calculate if you owe additional state taxes or if you'll get a refund based on what was already withheld. One thing that helped me when I started was keeping my final paystub from the year handy while doing taxes - it shows the year-to-date totals that should match what's on your W2. This way you can double-check that you're entering everything correctly. You're being smart by asking questions and making sure you understand the process!

Box 15 is definitely not a stupid question - it's actually one of the trickier parts of the W2 for first-time filers! I went through the same confusion when I started doing my own taxes. Box 15 shows the state where you earned your income, and it's crucial for determining your state tax obligations. Here's what you need to know: Box 15 works as a team with boxes 16 and 17. Box 16 shows your state wages, and Box 17 shows how much state income tax was already withheld from your paychecks throughout the year. When you enter your W2 into your free tax software, make sure you input all the information from boxes 15-17 exactly as shown. The software will automatically determine if you need to file a state return and calculate whether you'll owe additional taxes or get a refund based on what was already withheld. One helpful tip: if you have your last paystub from December, compare the year-to-date state withholding on that stub with box 17 on your W2 - they should match. This is a good way to verify you're entering the right numbers. You're doing great by asking questions and being thorough. Tax filing gets much easier once you understand what each box means!

Has anyone used a 1031 exchange for land? I know it doesn't work for primary residences but maybe OP could buy another investment property instead and defer the taxes that way?

I went through something very similar last year when I sold inherited land to buy my first home. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, there's no rollover provision for land sales into primary residence purchases - they're treated as completely separate transactions. One thing that really helped me was making sure I captured every possible expense that could be added to my basis. Beyond the obvious purchase price, I was able to include title insurance, legal fees from the original purchase, survey costs, and even some environmental testing I had done. I also found receipts for property tax payments during the holding period that I thought were lost. The key is documenting everything thoroughly. I ended up reducing my taxable gain by about $2,800 just by being more careful about what qualified as part of my cost basis. Even though you can't avoid the capital gains entirely, maximizing your basis can definitely minimize the tax hit. Good luck with both the sale and your new home purchase!

I've been through this exact situation multiple times over the years, and it's one of those IRS quirks that seems designed to cause unnecessary anxiety! The key thing to remember is that there are essentially two different data flows happening: your filed return gets processed immediately for refund purposes, while employer-reported data (W-2s, 1099s) goes through a completely separate batch processing system that can take months to appear in transcripts. Since you mentioned you've already received your 2023 refund, that's actually the best indicator that everything matched up correctly on the IRS side - they wouldn't have issued the refund if there were major discrepancies. The wage transcript delay is purely a system limitation, not a reflection of any problems with your tax situation. I typically see most wage transcripts fully populate by late May or early June, so you're well within the normal timeframe.

I can relate to this frustration! I went through the exact same thing last year and spent weeks worrying that something was wrong with my filing. What I learned is that the wage and income transcript is basically the last piece of the puzzle to update - it shows what third parties (employers, banks, etc.) reported about you to the IRS, not what you reported to them. The fact that your account and return transcripts are complete and you received your refund means the IRS was able to verify your income internally, even though it hasn't appeared in the public-facing transcript system yet. I'd recommend checking again in a few weeks, but honestly, mine didn't show up until almost July last year. It's annoying when you're trying to be thorough, but it's completely normal IRS timing!

This has been such an educational thread! As someone new to dealing with international tax issues, I had no idea how complex these arrangements could get. The F1 driver example really helps put things in perspective - it shows that even with unlimited resources and top-tier advisors, international tax planning requires incredible attention to detail and compliance. What really resonates with me is how the discussion bridged the gap between high-profile celebrity tax strategies and practical concerns for regular taxpayers. The IRS professional's advice about "over-disclosure" being safer than trying to minimize reporting is something I'll definitely keep in mind. It's sobering to learn that the penalties for international reporting failures can actually exceed the tax owed - that's a risk I never want to face! I'm particularly grateful for the practical tools and resources people shared throughout this conversation. It's clear that whether you're earning millions like Hamilton or just doing occasional cross-border work, having proper systems in place for tracking and reporting international income is absolutely critical in today's enforcement environment. Thanks to everyone who contributed their expertise and real-world experiences - this kind of knowledge sharing is invaluable for those of us navigating these complex waters!

This thread has been absolutely fascinating! As someone who's always been curious about how international tax law works in practice, the F1 driver example is perfect because it shows the most extreme version of strategies that many people use on a smaller scale. What really stands out to me is how the conversation evolved from the glamorous Monaco residency planning to very practical advice about duty day tracking and reporting requirements. It's clear that whether you're earning Hamilton-level income or just doing occasional international freelance work, the fundamental principles are the same - meticulous documentation, understanding tax treaties, and being extremely careful about compliance. The insight from our IRS professional about using F1 drivers as "test cases" for enforcement strategies is particularly eye-opening. It suggests that the aggressive planning techniques that work today might face increased scrutiny tomorrow as regulations evolve. This makes the "over-disclosure" approach even more important - it's better to be overly cautious with reporting than to risk those severe penalties. I'm also impressed by all the practical resources people have shared here. It shows that you don't need F1-level budgets to get proper guidance on international tax issues if you know where to look. Thanks to everyone for such an educational discussion!

Has anyone tried using the consolidated 1099-B summary page instead of entering each transaction? On my Robinhood 1099-B, there's a summary page that shows totals for short-term and long-term transactions.

Another option to consider is FreeTaxUSA - they have a specific nonresident alien version that handles 1099-B forms pretty well for F1 students. I switched from Sprintax last year because their interface for investment income was more intuitive. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely need to track those capital loss carryforwards properly. Even though you can't deduct them against your TA income now, they'll be valuable once you transition to resident status in a few years. I keep a separate spreadsheet with my annual losses so I don't lose track when my status changes. Also, double-check that your brokers reported your transactions correctly as "covered" vs "non-covered" securities. Sometimes there are discrepancies that can affect your tax calculations, especially with wash sales.