Make sure ur looking at the right year when filing! I screwed up and was using old forms from 2018 when the NR-EZ still existed and had to redo everything. The IRS website is confusing AF about which forms are current. Also, if your income was from self-employment, you might have to pay Self-employment tax even with treaty benefits unless there's a totalization agreement between US and Canada (which I think there is).

Just to add another perspective - I went through this exact situation last year as a Canadian working remotely for a US company. The 1040 NR-EZ is definitely gone, but here's what I learned that might help: First, double-check if you're truly classified correctly as a nonresident alien. The substantial presence test can be tricky if you had ANY days in the US during the year or the two previous years. Second, regarding the US-Canada treaty - Article VII (Business Profits) was a game-changer for me. Since you received a 1099-NEC and were physically in Canada the whole time, you likely don't have a "permanent establishment" in the US, which could exempt your income entirely from US taxes. The key is filing Form 8833 along with your 1040 NR to claim the treaty position. Don't forget that you'll also need to report this income on your Canadian tax return, but you should get credit for any US taxes paid (if any end up being owed). One last thing - make sure you're not missing any provincial tax implications in Canada for US-sourced income. Each province handles this differently.

Has anyone tried just creating an account on the IRS website to see if you already have an IP PIN assigned? That's what I did when TurboTax suddenly asked for mine. Turns out the IRS had actually assigned me one and sent a letter that got lost in the mail. You can recover it online if you create an account at irs.gov.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! The IP PIN request came out of nowhere and I was panicking because I thought I'd done something wrong. Turns out there are a few quick things you can try before going nuclear and calling the IRS: First, double-check that you entered your SSN correctly - even one wrong digit can trigger the IP PIN request. Second, make sure your name matches exactly what's on your Social Security card (including any middle initials or suffixes). Third, verify your address matches what the IRS has on file from your last return. If none of that works, try switching to a different browser or even a different tax software entirely. Sometimes it's just a glitch in the system. I ended up using FreeTaxUSA after TurboTax kept asking for the PIN, and it went through without any issues. Don't stress too much about this - it's becoming more common as the IRS ramps up security, and it doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong with your return or that you're in trouble!

I went through this exact situation two years ago when my husband moved from Canada. The key thing to understand is that you can't claim your spouse as a dependent regardless of income - the tax code specifically prohibits this. However, filing jointly will almost certainly give you better tax benefits than filing separately. Since your wife's SSN is still pending, you have a couple options: 1) File for an automatic extension using Form 4868 to give more time for the SSN to arrive, or 2) Apply for an ITIN for your wife using Form W-7 attached to your joint return (though this slows processing significantly). The extension route worked best for us - we got the SSN about 2 months later and filing jointly saved us over $4,000 compared to what we would have paid filing separately. Just make sure to pay any estimated taxes owed by the original deadline to avoid penalties, even if you extend the filing deadline.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation recently! The confusion about claiming spouses as dependents is super common - I made the same mistake initially. As others have mentioned, you can't claim your wife as a dependent, but filing jointly will likely save you much more money anyway. One thing I learned that might help: if you're really pressed for time and can't wait for the SSN, you can also consider having your wife apply for an ITIN. It takes some time to process, but it allows you to file jointly without waiting for the SSN to arrive. We ended up going the extension route and waiting for the SSN, which worked out great. The most important thing is don't stress too much about the timing - the IRS is pretty understanding about these immigration-related delays, and the extension option gives you plenty of breathing room to get everything sorted out properly.

Has anyone used TurboTax Self-Employed for their Etsy/eBay sales? I've used regular TurboTax before but never the self-employed version. Does it help with all this confusion or is it worth paying for an actual accountant?

I feel your pain! I went through the exact same confusion when I started my small pottery business on Etsy two years ago. The tax requirements really do feel like they throw you into the deep end without a life jacket. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the beginning: Start simple and build your system as you go. I got so overwhelmed trying to track every penny perfectly that I almost gave up entirely. The most important thing is to separate your business from personal expenses right away - even if it's just a simple spreadsheet or a separate checking account. Track your major expenses (materials, shipping, platform fees) and keep all your receipts. You don't need to be perfect from day one. For the hobby vs business question - if you're actively trying to make money and treating it like a business (marketing, improving your products, etc.), then report it as a business. The IRS looks at your intent and effort, not just profit. The $600 threshold honestly isn't as scary as it sounds. You've always been supposed to report this income anyway, now the platforms just have to tell the IRS about it too. But remember - you're only taxed on PROFIT, not total sales. Don't let the tax stress kill your entrepreneurial spirit! It gets easier once you establish a routine, and there are good resources out there to help. Your side hustle can definitely be worth it - just take it one step at a time.

Another thing to watch out for - if you're married filing jointly, they can offset your refund for your spouse's debts too, even if the debt isn't yours. Had a friend get hit with her husband's old child support from a previous relationship. You can file Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) to try to get your portion back, but it's a hassle and takes months. Might be worth checking if your spouse has any debts before you file jointly.

Also check with your local city/county if they collect income taxes! I live in a city with local income tax and they can offset refunds too. Found out I owed $89 from 2022 when I moved mid-year and messed up the calculations. It's not much but every dollar counts when you're expecting that refund money. Most people forget about local taxes but they definitely participate in offset programs.