Something nobody has mentioned yet - if you're selling products you make yourself, make sure you understand your state's rules about operating a business from a residential apartment. Some landlords and local zoning laws might have restrictions, especially if you're working with chemicals or having customers come to your place. I learned this the hard way when my landlord found out about my small bakery operation!

Great advice from everyone! I just wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I started claiming my home office deduction - keep a simple log or calendar showing what business activities you do in that space. Since you mentioned you use the bedroom for making products, packaging orders, and handling business admin, documenting this regular use can be really helpful if you're ever questioned. I keep a basic monthly log showing "product creation," "order fulfillment," "bookkeeping," etc. for the days I work in my home office. Also, since you're using H&R Block software, they should have good guidance on Form 8829 if you decide to go with the actual expense method rather than the simplified method. The software usually walks you through the calculations pretty well. Just make sure you're consistent with whatever percentage you choose - if you say 25% for rent, use 25% for utilities, internet, etc.

I went through this exact situation last month! The 3176C letter definitely looks scary but it's really just a standard identity verification. I'd recommend trying the online route first at IDverify.irs.gov - it's way faster than calling and you don't have to deal with hold times. The whole process took me maybe 15 minutes once I had my documents together. You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and your prior year tax return. After I completed verification, it took about 8 weeks to get my refund, which honestly wasn't as bad as I expected based on some of the horror stories I'd read online. The key is just getting the verification done ASAP - don't put it off!

I just went through this verification process a couple weeks ago and wanted to share my experience! The 3176C form definitely caught me off guard at first, but it's actually pretty manageable. I chose to do the phone verification route since I wasn't sure about uploading documents online. The wait time was about 45 minutes (called around 10am on a Tuesday), but once I got through, the agent was really helpful and walked me through everything step by step. They asked for basic info like my SSN, filing status, and a few numbers from my previous year's return. The whole call took maybe 20 minutes once connected. Now I'm in the waiting phase - they said 6-9 weeks typically but could be faster. Just wanted to let you know there's light at the end of the tunnel! The verification itself isn't as complicated as the letter makes it seem.

Has anyone tried both TurboTax and H&R Block online to compare the results? Sometimes I get different amounts from different software.

I'd definitely recommend trying both the taxr.ai suggestion from @Connor Murphy and comparing results across multiple tax software platforms before you finalize anything. A swing from getting $2,800 back to owing federal taxes is a huge red flag that something's not right with your current filing. Also, make sure you're entering ALL your tax documents correctly - sometimes people forget about interest statements from banks, unemployment compensation from earlier in the year, or even small 1099s from freelance work. Even a small missed document can throw off your entire calculation. Before paying any service fees, try the IRS Free File program (https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free) which gives you access to brand-name software for free if you qualify. At minimum, it'll give you another data point to compare against your current results.

Has anyone had experience with limitations on consulting services under the Netherlands-US tax treaty? I remember reading somewhere that there's a 183-day rule that might affect withholding rates if you physically perform services in the US.

I went through this exact same process with my Belgian consulting firm last year when we started working with a US client. The W-8BEN-E is definitely overwhelming at first, but it's more straightforward than it looks once you know what applies to your situation. For a Belgian V.O.F. (partnership), you'll want to focus on these key sections: **Part I (Identification):** - Your partnership name and Belgian address - Belgian tax ID number (if you have one registered with the Belgian tax authorities) - Leave GIIN blank (only for financial institutions) - Check box 5b for Partnership **Part III (Claim of Tax Treaty Benefits):** - This is crucial! Check box 14a - Enter "Belgium" as the treaty country - For consulting services, you can typically claim 0% withholding under the US-Belgium tax treaty - You may need to specify the treaty article (usually Article 7 for business profits if services performed outside the US) **Part XXX (Signature):** - Don't forget to sign and date Most other parts can be skipped for straightforward consulting arrangements. The key is making sure you qualify for treaty benefits - since you're performing services from Belgium for a US company, you should be eligible for reduced/eliminated withholding. Double-check that your partnership agreement and Belgian tax registration support the claims you're making on the form. Good luck!

Navy Federal member here too! I've been waiting about the same timeframe as you. From what I've experienced in past years, Navy Fed is actually pretty good about posting IRS refunds - they usually show up as pending 1-2 days before the official deposit date, then post at midnight EST. The WMR tool has been notoriously unreliable this year from what I'm seeing in various forums. Definitely check your IRS transcript online if you haven't already - look for code 846 which shows your actual direct deposit date. That's been way more accurate than WMR for most people. Also, just a heads up that if your refund is over a few thousand dollars, you might want to give Navy Fed a quick call to let them know you're expecting a large deposit from Treasury - sometimes large unexpected deposits can trigger fraud alerts. Hang in there, it should show up soon!

Navy Federal member checking in! I'm in a similar situation - filed about 2.5 weeks ago and WMR has been stuck on "still processing" the entire time. What's been helpful for me is checking my IRS transcript online (irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) rather than relying on WMR. Look for transaction code 846 - that shows your actual direct deposit date even when WMR hasn't updated yet. In my experience with Navy Fed over the past few years, they're pretty reliable about posting IRS refunds right at midnight EST on the scheduled date, and sometimes they'll show as pending 24-48 hours beforehand. The IRS has been slower than usual this season, but once your refund gets approved and scheduled, Navy Fed typically handles their end smoothly. Keep checking that transcript - it's been way more accurate than WMR for most people this year!