My timeline was: Filed Feb 2, accepted Feb 3, 570 code appeared Feb 20, 971 notice issued Feb 27 (asking for identity verification), completed ID verify March 5, 571 release code March 15, refund deposited March 19. So 23 days from 570 to 571 in my case.

I'm dealing with the same situation! Filed on March 22nd and got the 570 code on April 3rd - so I'm about 2 weeks in now. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time. It sounds like there's really no predictable timeline, which is frustrating when you're trying to plan financially. I haven't received any notices yet, so I'm hoping it's just a routine review. Thanks for asking this question - it's helpful to see I'm not alone in this waiting game!

Don't overthink this. I've used a PO Box on my 1040 for 7 years living in Malaysia. Never had an issue, never attached any statement explaining why, and never got any special questions from the IRS. They seriously don't care as long as they have SOME way to reach you. Most important stuff comes certified mail anyway which requires signature.

I've been filing from Germany for the past 4 years and have always used my local PO Box without any issues. The key thing I learned early on is to be proactive about it - I include a brief statement with my return explaining that I'm using the PO Box for reliable mail delivery while residing overseas, and I provide my physical German address as well. What really helped me was calling the IRS during my first year abroad (used a callback service since international calling was impossible) and asking them to put a note on my account about my address situation. The agent told me this is extremely common for expats and they actually prefer when people use reliable mailing addresses rather than risking missed communications. One thing to consider for Singapore specifically - I have colleagues there who mentioned that some apartment complexes have had issues with mail theft, so your PO Box idea is probably the smart move. Just make sure to keep your physical address updated with the IRS in case they ever need to verify your actual residence for any reason.

I've been filing as an expat in Canada for the past 4 years and wanted to share my experience with FreeTaxUSA. While it's not specifically marketed for expats, it actually handles Form 1116 and Form 2555 quite well once you upgrade to their Deluxe version ($14.99). The interface isn't as polished as some of the other services mentioned, but it gets the job done for straightforward expat situations. I particularly like that they don't try to upsell you constantly like some other platforms do. However, fair warning - their customer support isn't great if you run into complex international tax questions, so you'll need to do your homework beforehand. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure whatever service you choose can handle amended returns easily. I had to file a 1040X my second year abroad to correct a mistake with my foreign tax credit calculation, and FreeTaxUSA made that process relatively painless.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been filing from the UK for 5 years. I've tried several of the services mentioned here and honestly, the "best" solution really depends on your specific situation. For anyone just starting out as an expat, I'd recommend beginning with one of the expat-specific services like MyExpatTaxes or taxr.ai for your first year abroad, even if they cost more. The guidance they provide for understanding things like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion vs. Foreign Tax Credit decision can save you from costly mistakes down the road. Once you understand the basics of expat filing, you can potentially switch to something cheaper like FreeTaxUSA if your situation remains straightforward. But don't underestimate the complexity - even simple employment income can get tricky when you factor in things like UK pension contributions, ISAs, or if your employer provides benefits like housing allowances. Also, a heads up for anyone considering Singapore like the original poster - Singapore has some unique tax treaty provisions with the US that can significantly impact your filing strategy. Definitely worth consulting with someone who knows Singapore-US tax treaties before you make any major decisions about exclusions vs. credits.

Wish I had known about these options earlier! I just paid $180 to file my 1040-NR through Sprintax yesterday 😭 For anyone considering OLT, do they have good support if you run into questions? My big concern with cheaper options is getting stuck without help on non-resident specific issues.

This is such a valuable thread! As someone who's helped several international colleagues with their taxes over the years, I can confirm that finding affordable options for 1040-NR filing has always been a major pain point. One thing I'd add for anyone considering these options - make sure to keep detailed records of which software you used and any calculations it made, especially regarding treaty benefits. I've seen situations where people got audited years later and having documentation of how deductions were calculated became really important. Also, if you're a graduate student or postdoc, check if your university's international office has any partnerships with tax software companies. Some schools negotiate discounted rates that can be even cheaper than these individual options. My university had a deal with a specialized service that brought the cost down to about $40 for both federal and state returns. Thanks Alberto for sharing your colleague's experience with OLT - it's great to know the Free File program actually works for non-residents!

Friendly reminder that tax transcript language is designed by sadists who hate humanity and want us all to suffer 🤡 that is all

Same thing happened to me last month! Transcript showed all zeros for about a week and a half, then suddenly all the amounts populated overnight. The 570 code you mentioned is totally normal - it just means they're doing a routine review, especially since you claimed child tax credit. Once that clears you'll see a 571 code and then hopefully an 846 (refund issued). The fact that your transcript is finally showing up instead of N/A is actually great news - you're in the final stretch! Keep checking Thursday mornings after their weekly updates.