Just want to point out that $48 tax on a $200 bonus is 24%, which is actually the correct withholding rate for interest income for nonresident aliens on F or J visas. So the withholding amount checks out. Make sure you're filing the right tax return form too - if you were on a J1 visa, you might need to file Form 1040-NR (Nonresident Alien) instead of the regular 1040. The taxation rules can be different depending on your residency status.

Great advice from everyone here! I just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through a similar situation with missing tax documents from overseas. If you're still having trouble getting the 1099-INT from BoA, you might also try reaching out to their international customer service line - they sometimes have different procedures for overseas customers. The number is usually different from their domestic line and the agents may be more familiar with mailing documents internationally. Also, since you mentioned you're back in your home country, check if your country has a tax treaty with the US that might affect how this income is treated. Some treaties allow for reduced withholding rates on interest income, which could potentially mean you're due a refund of part of that $48 they withheld. One more tip: if you end up using any of the suggested workarounds (Form 4852, manual entry, etc.), keep detailed records of all your attempts to get the official form. Print out emails, note down call dates and reference numbers, etc. This documentation will be helpful if the IRS ever questions the discrepancy. Good luck with your filing!

Has anyone used H&R Block's Peace of Mind Extended Service? It's their audit protection product. I'm curious if it's any better than TurboTax's version for someone with multiple income sources but nothing international.

I've been dealing with similar complexity in my returns for the past few years, including foreign accounts and investment income. After going through a correspondence audit in 2022 (thankfully not a full audit), I can share what I learned about audit protection services. First, definitely get protection if your returns are this complex. The peace of mind alone is worth it. I ended up going with a standalone policy through a company that specializes in international tax issues rather than the basic protection from tax software companies. Cost me about $400/year, but it covers representation for all types of audits and includes some penalty protection. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: some protection plans have waiting periods, so you can't buy coverage after you've already been selected for audit. Also, make sure whatever service you choose has experience with FBAR issues specifically - the penalties for those can be brutal and not all tax professionals are familiar with the nuances. The preventive approach mentioned with taxr.ai sounds interesting too. Catching issues before filing seems smarter than just hoping you don't get audited. Given your situation with foreign accounts and multiple income sources, I'd probably recommend both - prevention analysis before filing AND audit protection for peace of mind.

I had the exact same code show up on my transcript about 3 weeks ago and just wanted to share my experience! Like others have mentioned, 720 is definitely normal - it just means they've got your return and it's working through their system. Mine actually updated last Friday with a 846 code (refund issued), so there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel! The waiting is absolutely brutal though, I was checking mine way too often at first. What helped me was setting a calendar reminder to check only on Fridays since that's when most updates happen. Also noticed that simple returns like mine (just W-2 and standard deduction) seem to move faster than more complex ones. Hang in there - you should see some movement soon! 🤞

I had code 720 on my transcript for about 4 weeks earlier this year and it was definitely nerve-wracking! From my experience, it's just their way of saying "we received your return and it's in the processing pipeline." The timeline really varies - mine took longer than expected but that was during peak filing season when they were swamped. I found it helpful to check the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool alongside the transcript since sometimes that updates first. Also, if you haven't already, make sure all your banking info is correct for direct deposit since that can speed things up once they're ready to issue the refund. The waiting game is tough but try not to read too much into it - 720 is actually one of the more straightforward codes!

I've been dealing with similar Jr./Sr. issues in my family for years! One thing that really helped us was creating a simple checklist to avoid this problem in the future: 1. **Always check the Social Security card first** - this is your "source of truth" 2. **Take a photo of the SS card** so you have it for reference when filing 3. **Never assume suffixes are included** - even if everyone in the family calls him "Jr." 4. **Keep records of any name changes** you make with SSA What's frustrating is that this seems to be getting more common as the IRS systems get more automated. I've helped three different families with this exact issue just in the past two months. The good news is that once you get it sorted out the first time, subsequent years are usually smooth sailing. Also, if you end up needing to call the IRS, try calling right when they open (7 AM local time) - the wait times are much shorter then. Good luck getting this resolved before the deadline!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now with my son! He's been trying to e-file for weeks and keeps getting that SSN/name mismatch rejection. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea this Jr./Sr. confusion was so common with the IRS system. Based on what everyone is saying, it sounds like the first step is definitely checking his Social Security card to see exactly how his name appears there. I think we might have been assuming his card has "Jr." on it when it actually doesn't. The replacement card idea from Paolo is brilliant - that way we'll know for certain what the official record shows. Has anyone had luck with the paper filing approach as a backup plan? I'm worried about the April 15th deadline and want to make sure we have options if the electronic fix takes too long to resolve. It sounds like paper returns bypass these automated validation issues entirely. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate the IRS website!

Does anyone know if a 1098-C form impacts your ability to claim the standard deduction for your state taxes if state and federal filing statuses have to match? I'm in California and always confused about how federal choices affect my state return.

Just wanted to add my experience since I was in almost exactly the same situation last year! I donated a 2015 Honda Civic that was worth about $3,000 and got a 1098-C form. I was also unsure about itemizing vs standard deduction. The key thing I learned is that there's absolutely zero downside to accepting the 1098-C form. I ended up taking the standard deduction because my total itemized deductions were only about $11,500 (well below the $13,850 standard). The 1098-C just sits in my tax files and doesn't affect anything. One tip though - make sure you keep good records of how you determined the car's value (like KBB screenshots, recent repair estimates, etc.) just in case. Even if you don't use the deduction this year, having proper documentation could be helpful if your situation changes or if you ever need to reference the donation for other purposes. The charity should handle all the reporting requirements on their end, so you really don't need to worry about any complications from accepting the form!