Going through EXACTLY this rn. Called TAS 3 times and got rejected each time. This system is beyond broken.

Same situation here! Got the TAS rejection last month and they gave me the same vague "wait 180 days" response. It's so frustrating not knowing what's actually happening. I've been checking my transcript obsessively but honestly can't make heads or tails of all those codes and dates. Really hoping that mystery letter actually shows up and explains something useful 🤞

Has anyone tried requesting a Taxpayer Assistance Order (Form 911)? I've heard that filing this form when you're experiencing significant hardship due to IRS delays can speed things up. Apparently it forces them to prioritize resolving your case.

I'm dealing with a similar situation - filed electronically in March 2024 and still waiting in September. After reading through all these suggestions, I think I'm going to try the Taxpayer Advocate Service first since that seems to be the most official route. For anyone else in this boat, I found that you can actually check if you qualify for TAS assistance online before applying. They have criteria like experiencing economic hardship, facing significant delays, or not receiving responses from normal IRS channels. With 7+ months of delay on an e-filed return, that definitely seems to qualify. I'm also going to document everything - all my attempts to contact the IRS, dates, what I was told, etc. From what I've read, having a clear timeline of your efforts to resolve the issue helps when you escalate to TAS or congressional offices. This whole situation is completely unacceptable. Electronic filing was supposed to make things faster, not slower than paper returns used to be processed.

Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block software for a situation like this? Wondering if they handle the 5074 form correctly or if this is really a "see a tax professional" situation?

I've dealt with similar territorial income issues and want to emphasize a few key points that might help: First, regarding the Copy A situation - this is actually more common than you'd think with territorial employers. While Copy B is what taxpayers should receive, having Copy A still allows you to report the income accurately. Just make sure to keep detailed records and consider attaching a brief explanation when you file. Second, since your parents moved mid-year from Guam to Nebraska, pay close attention to the "bona fide resident" test. Your mother, having lived in Guam since early 2021 until June 2023, would likely qualify as a bona fide resident for the portion of 2023 she was there. This affects how the income gets allocated on Form 5074. The key thing to remember is that ALL income (both W-2 and W-2GU) gets reported on the 1040, but Form 5074 determines which portion Guam gets to tax versus the US. Since you're paper filing anyway due to Form 5074, take advantage of this to include any explanatory statements about the Copy A situation or other documentation issues. Given the complexity here, especially with the mid-year move and mixed residency status, this might be worth consulting with a tax professional who has experience with territorial tax issues. The cost could easily pay for itself by avoiding potential errors or missed opportunities for tax savings.

Did you check if your country has a tax treaty with the US? Many countries do, and as an international student, you might qualify for a reduced withholding rate or even exemption on certain types of income including interest. If you're eligible for a treaty benefit but the bank withheld at 30%, you'd actually get money back by amending.

As someone who went through a similar situation, I'd strongly recommend filing the amended return even though the amount seems relatively small. Here's why: First, regarding your specific situation - $175 in interest income is definitely reportable, and since you're on an F1 visa, maintaining perfect tax compliance is crucial for your immigration status. The IRS may not actively pursue small discrepancies, but having complete documentation protects you if questions ever arise. Second, you should definitely check your country's tax treaty with the US. Many countries have treaties that reduce the withholding rate on interest income from 30% to 15% or even 0% for students. If your country has such a treaty and you qualify, you could get a significant portion of that $52 withholding back as a refund when you amend. For the amendment process, I'd suggest trying these options in order: 1. Contact your university's VITA program first - many maintain year-round services for international students 2. If VITA isn't available, the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers can help with amendments 3. Consider using tax software designed for amendments if you're comfortable doing it yourself Don't stress too much about the timing - you have up to 3 years to amend, and there are no penalties for filing an amendment that results in additional refund. The key is getting it done properly to maintain your compliance record.

ppl telling u its normal are right but also ur basically giving the govt free money if u overwithhold. i always claim the max allowances possible so i get more $$ in each check, then i just save a bit each month for tax time. end up ahead since that money can work for me all year instead of sitting with the irs lol

Hey Freya! Congrats on the new job! What you're seeing is totally normal and honestly, you made a smart choice for your first time dealing with withholding. When you marked single with 0 allowances (or left everything blank on the new W-4), you chose the most conservative approach - which is perfect when you're unsure. That ~$100 is likely covering federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and possibly state taxes. The good news is that since you just started working partway through the year, you'll probably get a nice refund next April because the withholding calculations assume you'll earn that salary for the full year. My advice? Keep it exactly as is for your first year. You'll sleep better knowing you won't owe anything, and any refund you get is just a bonus. Once you file your first tax return and see how it all works out, then you can decide if you want to adjust your withholding for the following year. You're doing great!