Quick tip: If ur worried about privacy, Office Depot lets you upload files to their website and pick up prints later. I did this last year and checked "secure printing" so they put my tax stuff in a sealed envelope with my name. Cost a bit more than library but worth it for peace of mind!

Just want to add another option that worked great for me - Staples also has secure printing services! You can email your documents to their print center and they'll hold them until you arrive with ID to pick them up. The staff prints everything in a back room so other customers can't see your documents, and they immediately delete the files after printing. Cost me about $15 for my entire tax return (about 25 pages), which was more than a library but the privacy was worth it. They also have self-service kiosks if you bring files on a USB drive, but I felt more comfortable with their secure service for tax documents. One thing to remember - make sure you have ALL the pages you need before leaving! I forgot to print one schedule and had to make a second trip. Double-check your tax software's "print checklist" if it has one.

I went through this exact same thing earlier this year! Definitely do the ID.me verification online - it's way faster than trying to get an appointment at a TAC office. I had some issues with the facial recognition at first (make sure you're in really good lighting and remove any glasses), but once I got it working the whole process took maybe 30 minutes. After verification, my transcript updated within a week showing the hold was released, and I got my refund about 9 weeks later. Just be patient - I know it's frustrating but the online route is definitely your best bet for getting this resolved quickly!

I actually just completed this process about 3 weeks ago! Definitely go with the ID.me online verification - it's so much faster than trying to schedule an in-person appointment. The TAC offices are booking appointments like 4-6 weeks out right now, which defeats the purpose if you need your refund ASAP. For the online verification, make sure you do it during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) to avoid the wait queues. Have your driver's license, Social Security card, and a recent utility bill or bank statement ready. The facial recognition can be picky - I had to try it twice because the lighting in my room wasn't great the first time. Once I got verified, my account transcript updated within about 5 days showing the verification hold was released. Still waiting on my actual refund (they said 6-9 weeks from verification date), but at least I know it's processing now. Way less stressful than sitting on hold for hours or waiting weeks for an appointment!

Has anyone successfully claimed the Foreign Tax Credit for Belgian taxes? I keep getting confused because some of the pension is taxed by their social security system and some by their regular tax system. Not sure if both count for the credit.

Great thread everyone! I'm dealing with a similar situation with my grandmother's Belgian pension. One thing I learned from our tax preparer is that you should also check if your state has any specific rules about foreign pension income. Some states don't tax foreign pensions at all, while others follow federal treatment. In our case, we're in a state that doesn't tax retirement income, so even though we had to report it federally and deal with the treaty provisions, there was no additional state tax burden. Also, make sure to keep copies of ALL the Belgian tax documents - not just the pension statements but also any tax certificates showing what was withheld. The IRS may ask for these if they have questions about your Foreign Tax Credit claim. Better to have everything organized upfront than scramble later!

Just want to add a quick point - make sure you file your state tax return too if you worked in a state that collects income tax! People often forget this part. The camp was probably in a specific state that might have its own filing requirements separate from the federal return.

I work for a tax resolution firm and deal with these situations regularly. The good news is that your case is very straightforward and won't impact your ability to travel on ESTA. For a $160 tax liability from 2018, you're looking at roughly $300-400 total after penalties and interest - still very manageable. The key is getting this resolved proactively rather than waiting for the IRS to come after you (which honestly might never happen for such a small amount). Here's what I'd recommend: File Form 1040NR for 2018 as soon as possible. You'll need your W-2 from the camp, so definitely contact them or CCUSA first. If you can't get it, request Form 4506-T from the IRS to get a wage transcript. Most importantly - small tax debts like this are NOT immigration issues. The State Department and IRS are completely separate systems. I've never seen anyone denied entry over a resolved tax matter of this size. Just make sure you have documentation showing you've addressed it when you travel. The depression and financial hardship you mentioned might even qualify you for some penalty relief if you can document those circumstances. The IRS has "reasonable cause" provisions that can reduce penalties in situations like yours.

Hey, accountant here. Just to add some clarity to this thread: 1. Cell phone chargers, cables, cases - these are generally "Office Supplies" as others have mentioned 2. The actual phones - these are "Equipment" and depending on cost, may need to be depreciated 3. Monthly cell phone service - this is a "Utility" expense For tax purposes, the IRS doesn't have a specific required chart of accounts, so there's some flexibility in how you categorize, but these are the standard classifications most accounting professionals use. The key is consistency in your approach and documentation of business use percentage.

Something else to consider - if you're buying chargers and phone accessories for employees, make sure you have an accountable plan in place if you're reimbursing them for these purchases. Otherwise, those reimbursements could be considered taxable income to the employees.