This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a very similar situation but with a twist - my husband and I both have family HDHPs through our respective employers, and we're covering different kids (from previous marriages). From what I'm reading here, it sounds like we'd each be able to contribute the full family limit ($8,300 each for 2025) since we have separate qualifying plans. But I'm worried about the IRS marriage limitation rule someone mentioned earlier. Has anyone dealt with this specific scenario where both spouses have family HDHPs covering different dependents? I want to make sure I understand the rules correctly before we max out both accounts. The last thing I want is to deal with excess contribution penalties!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a tax professional and see this exact question come up frequently with my clients. Just wanted to confirm what others have said here is correct. When spouses have separate HSA-qualified HDHPs (whether both family plans or a mix of family/individual), each spouse can contribute up to their respective plan's maximum limit. The "marriage limitation" that caps total family contributions at the family limit ($8,300 for 2025) only applies when spouses are covered under the same HDHP or when one spouse lacks qualifying coverage. One additional tip I always give clients: make sure to keep good documentation of your separate coverage throughout the year. The IRS may ask for proof that you maintained separate qualifying HDHPs if they review your HSA contributions. Also, remember that these contribution limits are annual limits, so if either of you changes jobs or coverage mid-year, you'll need to prorate based on the months of coverage under each plan type. For anyone still unsure about their specific situation, IRS Publication 969 has the detailed rules, or consider consulting with a tax professional who can review your actual plan documents.

I went through something very similar when I started at a different tax prep chain last year! The lack of training was honestly shocking - they threw me right into client meetings without even explaining the basic software. What helped me was being upfront with clients about my role. I started saying something like "I'm going to gather all your information and get everything entered, then one of our tax professionals will review everything with you and handle any questions." Most clients were actually fine with this once they understood the process. Also, don't be afraid to take notes during your shifts about things you don't understand, then look them up later or ask the senior preparers when they're not swamped. I kept a little notebook of common forms and what they meant. It gets easier once you see the same situations a few times! The good news is this experience will actually teach you a lot about real-world tax situations that you won't get in textbooks. Just remember - you're doing data entry, not making tax decisions, so don't stress too much about being the expert.

I'm a tax professional who's been in the industry for over a decade, and I want to assure you that what you're experiencing is unfortunately very common during tax season. The big chains often hire temporary staff as "intake specialists" or "client service professionals" without being completely transparent about the role. Here's what you should know: You are NOT preparing tax returns - you're doing data collection and entry. The actual tax preparation, review, and legal responsibility falls on the enrolled agents, CPAs, or other qualified preparers who review your work. This is why you can't sign returns or give tax advice. My advice: 1) Ask your manager for access to any training modules they have, even basic ones about common forms. 2) Create a simple reference sheet of the most common forms you see (W-2, 1099s, etc.) and what they're for. 3) Be transparent with clients about your role - something like "I'll be gathering your information today, and then one of our tax professionals will review everything with you." The silver lining is that this exposure to real tax documents and situations will be incredibly valuable for your accounting degree. You're learning practical application that many students don't get. Just remember - when in doubt, always defer to the qualified preparer. Better to ask too many questions than to make assumptions about tax law.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - don't forget about FBAR requirements! Even after you surrender your green card, if you had $10,000+ across all foreign (non-US) accounts at any point during the year you lived in the US, you still need to file the FBAR form. I got hit with a massive penalty for missing this when I moved back to Europe.

This is a really complex situation that involves both US and UK tax law! A few additional points to consider beyond what others have mentioned: First, make sure you understand the timing of your move in relation to tax years. The UK tax year runs April 6 to April 5, while the US follows the calendar year. This can create some interesting split-year situations that affect how you report income in both countries. Second, regarding your W-8BEN form - you'll need to be careful about when you submit it. You can only claim treaty benefits as a UK resident once you've actually established UK tax residency. The distributors will need updated forms, and there might be a transition period where you're still subject to the higher withholding rates. Also worth noting: some music royalties might be classified differently depending on whether they're mechanical royalties, performance royalties, or sync licensing fees. The treaty treatment can vary based on the specific type of royalty income. Finally, consider keeping detailed records of your income sources and any taxes withheld during your transition year. You'll likely need to file partial-year returns in both countries for the year you move, and having clear documentation will make this much easier. The international tax rules for creative professionals are genuinely complicated, so getting professional help from someone experienced with US-UK tax issues is probably your best bet for navigating this correctly.

Just want to point out that even if you miss the deadline, it's not the end of the world. I completely missed my CP566 response deadline by about 3 weeks because the notice got lost in the mail and I only found out when I called to check on my application status. I still sent in the requested documents with a letter explaining why I was late, and my ITIN was approved without any issues. It just delayed the whole process by a few weeks. The IRS isn't as rigid as people think, especially for ITIN applications where they understand many applicants have international complications.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my ITIN application. Got my CP566 notice last week and I'm supposed to be out of the country for work until mid-January. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many options available. I think I'm going to try calling the IRS directly first using that number Connor mentioned (1-800-908-9982) to see if they can note my account about the travel. If that doesn't work, the Claimyr service sounds promising based on the experiences shared here, especially since Natasha had success with it after being initially skeptical. One question for those who've been through this - when you called the IRS to explain international travel, did you need to provide any proof of your travel plans (like flight confirmations) or did they just take your word for it? I want to be prepared with whatever documentation they might need when I call. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating these confusing IRS processes!

I went through this exact confusion last year! You're right to be puzzled because the relationship between AGI and AMTI isn't straightforward. Here's what I learned: Even if your AGI is higher than your AMTI, you can still owe AMT. The key comparison is between your "tentative minimum tax" (calculated from your AMTI) and your regular tax liability - whichever is higher is what you pay. Think of it this way: AGI and AMTI are just different starting points for calculating taxes under two parallel systems. Your AMTI might be lower than your AGI because certain deductions that reduce your AGI aren't allowed when calculating AMTI, but you're adding back other preference items. With your income level, I'd definitely recommend completing Form 6251 or having your tax software do it automatically. The AMT exemption does phase out at higher incomes, so it's worth checking. Don't rely on the AGI vs AMTI comparison alone - that's not the determining factor for AMT liability. Hope this helps clarify things! The AMT system is genuinely confusing even for experienced filers.

Great question! This is one of the most common AMT misconceptions. The relationship between AGI and AMTI actually doesn't determine whether you're subject to AMT at all. Here's the key: AMT works by running two completely separate tax calculations - your regular tax and your "tentative minimum tax." You pay whichever amount is higher. So even if your AGI exceeds your AMTI, you could still owe AMT if your tentative minimum tax (calculated from your AMTI) is higher than your regular tax liability. Your AMTI starts with your taxable income, then adds back certain "preference items" like state/local tax deductions, some depreciation methods, and bargain elements from stock options. These adjustments can create situations where your AMTI is lower than your AGI but still generates a higher tax liability under the AMT system. With your income level and the complexity you're describing, I'd strongly recommend actually completing Form 6251 (or having your tax software do it). The form will show you exactly whether you owe AMT by comparing your tentative minimum tax to your regular tax. Don't try to shortcut it by comparing AGI to AMTI - that comparison doesn't tell you what you need to know about your actual AMT liability.