Has anyone successfully used TurboTax for handling RSUs? I've been getting different answers each year and I'm not sure if it's calculating everything correctly.

This is such a common problem with RSU taxation! I went through the exact same issue and found that many companies struggle with properly reporting RSU withholding on W-2s, especially when vesting happens near year-end. One thing that helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking each vesting event throughout the year. For each vest, I recorded: the vesting date, number of shares that vested, FMV per share on that date, number of shares withheld for taxes, and the dollar value of those withheld shares. At year-end, I could easily calculate the total tax withholding that should appear in Box 2 of my W-2. Also, don't overlook Box 12 on your W-2 - sometimes companies report additional information about RSU withholding there with codes like "V" or other employer-specific codes. And definitely check if your company provides a supplemental RSU tax statement - mine sends one each January that breaks down all the vesting events and associated tax implications for the year. The fact that you've had consistent tax bills for 3 years strongly suggests there's a systematic reporting issue. I'd recommend documenting everything before approaching HR so you can present them with specific numbers rather than just a general concern.

As someone who's been through a similar situation with unfiled returns, I want to echo what everyone has said about this being more manageable than it initially seems. The anxiety and fear are completely understandable, but taking action is always the right choice. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your cousin should also check if her employer(s) from 2019 are still in business and can provide duplicate W-2s if needed. Sometimes tracking down old tax documents can be one of the biggest hurdles, but employers are required to keep payroll records for several years. Also, if she had any major life changes in 2019 (like medical expenses related to her situation, moving costs to escape the relationship, etc.), these could potentially be deductions that would reduce any amount owed. A good tax professional will know to ask about these circumstances. The most encouraging thing from reading all these responses is how many people have successfully navigated similar situations. Your cousin has already shown incredible courage in leaving a toxic relationship and rebuilding her life - handling this tax issue is just another step in that journey, and she's clearly got the strength to see it through. Tell her that this internet stranger is rooting for her, and that seeking help now rather than continuing to worry is absolutely the right move!

I'm really moved by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone has been in this thread - it's exactly the kind of community response that can make such a difference when someone is facing a stressful situation like this. As a newcomer to this conversation, I wanted to add that your cousin might also want to look into whether she qualifies for any innocent spouse relief if she was married during 2019 and filed jointly in previous years. While it sounds like she was single for the unfiled return, understanding all her options could be helpful. One thing that really stands out from reading everyone's experiences is how much the voluntary disclosure aspect matters. The IRS genuinely does treat people differently when they come forward on their own versus when they're contacted first. Your cousin's proactive approach, combined with her consistent filing since 2019, puts her in a really good position. I'd also suggest that when she does meet with a professional, she should ask about setting up a payment plan even if she doesn't end up owing much. Having that conversation upfront can provide peace of mind and show the IRS she's committed to resolving everything properly. The strength it takes to rebuild after an abusive relationship is immense, and handling this tax situation is just another part of that healing journey. She's clearly got people who care about her and a community here willing to help with advice and support!

This is such a common misconception in the restaurant industry! I've seen so many BOH staff miss out on potentially higher earnings because they believe this myth about "server taxes." The reality is that the tax code treats all income the same - whether you make $50k from hourly wages or $50k from a combination of wages and tips, your tax liability is identical. What creates confusion is that tipped employees often have more complex payroll situations where taxes are withheld differently, making their paychecks appear smaller even though their total take-home (including cash tips) is usually higher. Your coworker might also be thinking about FICA taxes on tips, but even those are the same rate as regular wages - 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare combined. The only "special" thing about tip taxation is the reporting requirements and allocation rules that ensure proper compliance. I'd suggest showing your coworker actual tax calculations with the same total income from both scenarios. Sometimes seeing the numbers side-by-side is the only way to overcome these persistent industry myths.

This is a perfect example of how misinformation spreads in the restaurant industry! I've been working in food service for over a decade and have seen this exact misconception cost people money. Your coworker is completely wrong about there being a special "server tax." All income is taxed identically regardless of source. What they're probably confused about is the withholding process - when you're a tipped employee, your tiny hourly wage often gets completely eaten up by taxes on your combined wage+tip income, leaving you with $0 paychecks. This makes it LOOK like you're being taxed more heavily, but you're actually just prepaying taxes on your tip income. Here's what I always tell people: if a line cook makes $40k annually and a server makes $40k annually (wages + tips combined), they will owe the exact same amount in taxes. The server just might get smaller paychecks because more tax is being withheld upfront. The real kicker is that experienced servers usually make significantly MORE than kitchen staff, which means they pay more total tax dollars simply because they earn more money. But their effective tax rate on the same income would be identical. Show your coworker some actual tax calculations with equal total income - that's usually the only thing that breaks through this persistent myth.

Great question about multiple account types! The lot selection methods (FIFO, LIFO, specific identification) only matter for taxable accounts since there are no tax consequences for trades within tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs. In your Roth IRA and traditional IRA, you can buy and sell without worrying about capital gains taxes or lot selection - the tax treatment is determined by the account type itself (tax-free growth in Roth, tax-deferred in traditional). So you can treat those accounts completely separately from a tax optimization standpoint. For your taxable brokerage account though, definitely apply all the strategies discussed in this thread. You might even want to coordinate between accounts for overall portfolio management - like if you want to reduce exposure to a particular stock, you could sell from your taxable account using specific identification to optimize taxes, while keeping the position in your IRA intact. Regarding ETFs vs individual stocks - the lot selection rules work exactly the same way. ETFs are just treated like any other security for tax purposes. However, one thing to watch out for is that some ETFs have built-in tax efficiency features (like in-kind redemptions) that can affect your overall tax situation, but that doesn't change how lot selection works when you sell. This is actually a really smart way to think about coordinating your strategy across account types!

This has been such an enlightening discussion! As someone who's been casually investing for a while but only recently started paying attention to tax implications, I'm realizing how much money I've probably left on the table by not understanding lot selection methods. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned - how do stock splits affect your cost basis and lot selection strategy? I have a few positions that have split over the years, and I'm wondering if that complicates the FIFO/LIFO/SpecID decision-making process. Also, for those who have been doing this for a while, do you ever find yourself becoming too focused on tax optimization at the expense of good investment decisions? I'm worried about falling into the trap of letting the tax tail wag the investment dog, as someone mentioned earlier, but I also don't want to ignore potential tax savings. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences and tools - this thread has been incredibly valuable for understanding not just the mechanics but the strategic thinking behind lot selection decisions!

Since you're dealing with an international situation and this is your first time filing US taxes, I'd recommend also checking if you qualify for any tax treaty benefits between the US and your home country. Many countries have agreements that can reduce or eliminate tax on certain types of income like bank bonuses. Also, keep in mind that as a J-1 visa holder, you might be considered a "nonresident alien" for tax purposes even if you were physically present in the US for several months. This could affect which forms you need to file (possibly Form 1040NR instead of regular 1040) and how your income is taxed. Before you spend too much time chasing down the 1099-INT, it might be worth consulting with someone who specializes in international tax situations to make sure you're filing the right forms altogether. The tax treatment for temporary visa holders can be quite different from regular residents.

As someone who went through a similar situation with missing tax documents after my exchange program, I'd suggest trying a multi-pronged approach. First, definitely call Chase directly - but be persistent. Sometimes the first representative can't help, so don't hesitate to ask to be transferred to their tax documents department specifically. When you call, have your account number, SSN, and the dates you were in the US ready. Second, check your Chase online account again but look under "Statements" rather than just "Tax Documents" - sometimes the 1099-INT information appears in your year-end account statements even if the dedicated tax section isn't working. If you absolutely can't get the form, you can file without it using the $475 amount you know. The IRS already has Chase's copy, so as long as your reported amount matches theirs, you'll be fine. Just document your attempts to obtain the form (save emails, note phone call dates/times). One more thing - since you mentioned this is your first US tax filing and you're on a J-1 visa, double-check whether you should be filing Form 1040NR (for nonresident aliens) instead of the regular 1040. The filing requirements can be different for temporary visa holders, and it might affect how this bonus income is treated.