I've been dealing with amended returns for years and here's my tried-and-true approach: Call 1-800-829-1040 on Tuesday or Wednesday right at 7:00 AM ET sharp. Have your SSN, both returns (original and amended), and your bank routing info ready. But here's the insider tip most people don't know - ask the rep to check for any "unpostables" on your account. Sometimes amended returns get stuck because of small mismatches (like a slightly different name format from what's in their system). The rep can usually resolve these on the spot. Also, if you're expecting a refund over $1,000, they might transfer you to a different department that handles larger refunds - this is normal, don't hang up! The wait time resets but you'll get someone who can actually move things along. I've seen people get their refunds released same-day after being stuck for months once the right person looked at their case.

Based on everyone's experiences here, I'd suggest trying multiple approaches since amended returns can be tricky. First, try calling 1-800-829-1040 early Tuesday morning around 7 AM ET with all your documentation ready (SSN, both returns, AGI from both, mailing address). If that doesn't work, the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778 might have shorter wait times. Since you filed in January and it's now March with no updates in the WMAR tool, you're getting close to that 16-20 week processing window others mentioned. One thing to consider - if this is causing financial hardship, definitely mention that when you call as it can sometimes expedite processing. Also worth checking your online IRS account for any transcript updates that might show processing codes before spending hours on hold. Sometimes the system updates there before the WMAR tool catches up. Good luck getting through - the waiting game with amended returns is frustrating but you're definitely entitled to know what's happening!

Yes, you likely can deduct the full cost of your business equipment purchased in 2023! The IRS provides two main options for this: 1. **Section 179 Deduction** - This allows you to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment in the year you bought it (rather than depreciating it over several years). For 2023, the limit is $1,160,000, which should easily cover your heat presses, label printer, vinyl cutter, and computer. 2. **Bonus Depreciation** - For 2023, 80% bonus depreciation is available for qualified business assets, which would cover your equipment. To qualify for these deductions: - The equipment must be used for business purposes more than 50% of the time - The equipment must be put into service during the 2023 tax year When filing: - You'll need to complete Form 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization) - Keep detailed records of all purchases including receipts, dates, and business use Since you're a new business owner, I'd recommend consulting with a tax professional who can help ensure you're maximizing your deductions correctly based on your specific business situation. They can also help determine which method (Section 179 or bonus depreciation) would be most advantageous for your circumstances.

Great advice from Lena! I'd like to add a few important considerations for your 2023 equipment purchases: **Keep meticulous records** - Make sure you have receipts, invoices, and can document when each piece of equipment was "placed in service" (actually used for business). The IRS is strict about this. **Mixed-use items** - If you use that computer for both business and personal purposes, you can only deduct the business percentage. Keep a log of business vs. personal use. **State tax implications** - While federal tax allows these deductions, check your state's rules as they may differ from federal Section 179 or bonus depreciation rules. **Consider timing** - Since you're asking in 2025 about 2023 purchases, if you haven't filed your 2023 return yet, you still have time to claim these deductions. If you already filed without claiming them, you might need to file an amended return (Form 1040X). **Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)** - For very large deductions, there could be AMT implications, though this is less common for small businesses. The equipment you mentioned (heat presses, vinyl cutter, label printer) sounds like a custom printing or embroidery business - these are definitely legitimate business assets that should qualify for the full deduction!

Has anyone tried doing this calculation on TurboTax? I've got a similar situation with about $8K in carried over losses from last year and $11K in gains this year, but TurboTax seems to be applying my losses weirdly. It's only using part of my carryover.

This is a great question that trips up a lot of people! The key thing to understand is that the $3,000 annual limit only applies when you're using capital losses against ordinary income (like your salary). When you have actual capital gains, you can use your entire capital loss carryover to offset those gains without any annual limit. In your specific case with $13.5K loss carryover and $16K gains, you would indeed subtract the full $13.5K from your $16K gains, leaving you with only $2.5K in net capital gains to be taxed on this year. No remaining loss would carry forward to Y3 since you've used it all up. The IRS designed it this way because capital losses and gains are considered "like-kind" - losses from selling investments should be able to fully offset gains from selling investments. The $3K limit is really just a consolation prize when you don't have any gains to offset against. Make sure you're correctly categorizing your carryover losses as short-term vs long-term though, as the netting rules do matter for determining your final tax rate on any remaining gains.

Just want to point out that if you do decide to withdraw from your 401k, remember that the plan administrator will usually withhold 20% for federal taxes, which might not be enough depending on your tax bracket. So you'd need to withdraw more than just the amount you owe the IRS to account for the taxes on the withdrawal itself.

I was in a very similar situation last year and ended up going with the estimated payment route rather than touching my 401k. Here's what I learned: even though you're over 59.5 and won't face the early withdrawal penalty, the tax implications can be tricky. The biggest issue is that you'll need to withdraw MORE than the $5,400 you owe because the withdrawal itself becomes taxable income. Plus, depending on your current tax bracket, that additional income could push you into a higher bracket for the year. I'd strongly recommend calculating both scenarios before deciding. For the estimated payment, you can still make the Q4 payment by January 15th through the IRS website - it's actually pretty straightforward once you set up an account. And if your income was uneven this year (sounds like it might have been), look into Form 2210 and the annualized income method - it could save you from underpayment penalties on earlier quarters. The peace of mind from keeping your retirement savings intact and growing was worth it for me, even with a small penalty.

Just wanted to add that timing matters for this amendment. While you technically have 3 years to amend, if your F-1 status might change in the near future (like if you're planning to apply for OPT, STEM extension, or H1B), it's better to fix this ASAP. I had a similar issue and waited too long, which created complications when I applied for my STEM OPT extension. Had to provide extra documentation to prove I had filed the amendment. Also, when you file the 1040-X and 1040-NR, include a clear cover letter explaining that you're an F-1 student who accidentally filed the wrong form. Makes the processing go much smoother.

I went through this exact situation two years ago as an F-1 student! The stress is real, but it's more common than you think and totally fixable. Here's what worked for me: First, prepare your correct 1040-NR using Sprintax (you're absolutely right to switch from regular tax software). Then use Form 1040-X to amend your original return. The 1040-X will show the differences between what you originally filed and what you should have filed. A few key tips from my experience: - Don't panic about the refund you already received. You might owe some back, but you also might be entitled to additional refunds depending on your situation - Make sure to check if your home country has a tax treaty with the US - this could save you significant money - Include a clear explanation letter with your amendment stating you're an F-1 student who filed the wrong form by mistake - Keep copies of everything for your records The whole process took about 3-4 months for me, but I had peace of mind knowing I was complying correctly. No issues with my visa status or any penalties. The IRS understands these are honest mistakes, especially for international students navigating the system for the first time. You're doing the right thing by correcting this now rather than letting it slide!