Just a tip from someone who went through this last year - if you do get your account levied, immediately open an account at a different bank for any new incoming funds/deposits. The levy only applies to the money in the account at the time it's processed and the specific bank that received the levy notice.

Just went through this exact situation two months ago. The timing is unpredictable - my bank received the levy on a Tuesday and froze my account that same day around noon. I only found out when my debit card was declined at lunch. One thing that really helped was calling my bank directly after I got the Final Notice. While they can't tell you exactly when they'll receive the levy, some banks will put a note on your account to call you immediately when it arrives, giving you a few hours to withdraw emergency cash before the freeze takes effect. Also, if you have direct deposit set up, contact your employer ASAP to see if they can issue you a paper check for your next paycheck. Once that account is frozen, any direct deposits will just sit there until the levy is resolved. I learned this the hard way when my paycheck got stuck in the frozen account for three weeks. The 21-day hold period that was mentioned is accurate, but don't count on it - use that time to aggressively pursue a payment plan with the IRS. I was able to get mine released on day 18, but it was touch and go.

Just want to add that state taxes can be trickier than federal in this situation! California is super aggressive about claiming people as residents even after they leave. When I left CA, I had to do all of the following to convince them I wasn't a resident anymore: 1) Close CA bank accounts 2) Get a driver's license in my new country 3) Sell my CA property 4) Register to vote in my new location 5) Move my belongings out of storage in CA Even after all that, they still sent me letters for 2 years! Make sure you formally terminate your state residency before leaving.

Great question! I went through something similar when I moved from the US to start my nomad journey in 2023. A few key things to consider: **Federal Tax Obligations:** - You'll likely still need to file a US tax return for 2024 since you were physically present in the US for part of the year - Keep detailed records of your exact departure date and where you earn income after leaving - If you're not a US citizen, you may be able to terminate your tax residency status once you leave, but this depends on your specific visa situation **State Tax Considerations:** - Since you're in California, definitely take the state tax termination steps seriously (as Giovanni mentioned above) - File a final CA tax return marking yourself as a part-year resident - California will want to see clear evidence that you've severed all ties **Digital Nomad Income:** - The source of your income matters - if your clients are US-based, there may be withholding requirements even after you leave - Consider whether you qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion once you meet the physical presence test **Pro tip:** Start documenting everything now - flight bookings, accommodation receipts, work location logs. The IRS loves paper trails for international tax situations! Would definitely recommend getting professional advice given the complexity of your situation with both federal and CA state tax implications.

Make sure ur direct deposit info is correct in ur return. I had similar numbers but had to wait extra 2 weeks cuz I typed one number wrong smh

Just wanted to add that your cycle code 76221-423-28643-5 is actually a really good sign! The "762" at the beginning typically indicates they processed your return without any major issues or flags. With your processing date of Feb 24th, you should definitely see that $9,358 hit your account within the next week or so. The fact that everything else shows zeros (penalties, interest, etc.) means it's a clean refund with no complications. Congrats on the solid refund amount!

One approach I've found helpful is to just use the IRS withholding calculator but put in that you're a contractor. It asks for your expected annual income and then tells you what your estimated total tax will be. Then just divide that by your expected income to get your percentage. For me making around $60k in North Carolina, it worked out to about 28% total (federal + state + SE tax).

Just want to echo what others have said about the 30% rule being a good starting point! I've been freelancing for about 3 years now and initially panicked thinking I needed to save 45%+ like you mentioned. What I learned is that the self-employment tax and income tax aren't completely separate buckets. The SE tax deduction actually reduces your adjusted gross income for income tax purposes, so there's some overlap in the calculation. My personal system: I save 32% of everything I earn and put it in a separate high-yield savings account labeled "taxes." At the end of the year, I usually have a small buffer left over that becomes a nice bonus for myself. Better to save a little extra and be pleasantly surprised than to come up short! Also, don't sleep on tracking your business expenses from day one. Even small things add up - software subscriptions, office supplies, part of your phone bill, professional development courses, even some meals if they're business-related. I use a simple spreadsheet and it's saved me thousands over the years. The quarterly payments become routine once you get into the rhythm. Just remember the due dates: January 15, April 15, June 15, and September 15. Set calendar reminders now!

stuck in the same boat rn trying to decide. think im gonna go with chime after reading all this

I switched from Emerald to Chime last year and honestly best decision ever. Chime gets my refund 1-2 days earlier consistently, plus zero fees for basic stuff like ATM withdrawals (as long as you use their network). The Emerald card nickel and dimes you for everything - even checking your balance sometimes. If you're just looking for fast refund deposits, Chime is definitely the way to go.