I'm in the exact same boat! Just received my verification letter yesterday and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed reading through everyone's experiences. It sounds like there's no guaranteed timeline and everyone's situation is different. From what I'm gathering here, the key takeaways seem to be: - Call the verification number on your letter at exactly 7am when they open - Have all your documents ready (ID, SSN card, previous tax returns) - If calling doesn't work, try ID.me but be prepared for potential technical issues - Check your transcript rather than Where's My Refund tool - Expect anywhere from 4-12+ weeks after verification The inconsistent information from IRS agents is what worries me most. Some of you got wildly different timelines from different representatives. I'm going to try the phone route first thing tomorrow morning and see if I can get through. Thanks to everyone sharing their stories - it's frustrating that we all have to go through this, but at least we're not alone in the experience. I'll update if I have any luck getting through by phone!

I just went through this verification process about 6 weeks ago, so your timing with this question is perfect! Here's what I learned from my experience: The verification itself was actually pretty straightforward once I got through to someone. I tried the 7am calling strategy that everyone mentions here, and it worked - got through on my third attempt. The agent asked me to confirm some basic info from my 2023 and 2022 returns (previous addresses, filing status, AGI amounts, etc). The whole call took maybe 15 minutes. After verification, it took exactly 5 weeks for my refund to hit my account. I obsessively checked my transcript every few days and watched for those code changes people mentioned - saw the 570 hold code disappear and then got the 846 refund issued code about a week before the money actually arrived. One thing I wish someone had told me: save the date you completed verification and mark your calendar for the 9-week point. That way you have a realistic expectation and won't drive yourself crazy checking daily. The IRS really does seem to be processing these slower than they used to. For your home repairs - definitely have a backup plan for financing just in case it takes longer than expected. But based on most experiences here, you should see your refund sometime in the next 6-8 weeks if you get verified soon. Good luck!

Cycle 05 here too! 🙋‍♀️ The struggle is SO real with the constant checking. I was literally setting alarms to check at 3am EST thinking maybe I'd catch the update happening live 🤡 What helped me was learning that 05 cycles process Thursday nights and transcripts update early Friday mornings (usually between 12am-6am EST). WMR typically doesn't update until Saturday morning though, so don't rely on that for real-time info. Honestly, save yourself the mental torture and just check Friday mornings. I know it's easier said than done when you're desperate for that refund, but checking 50 times a day won't make it process any faster! The IRS moves at their own pace regardless of how often we refresh 😩 Hang in there - we're all in this waiting game together! 💪

Cycle 05 filer checking in! 🙋‍♀️ I totally get the obsessive checking - I've been there too and it's exhausting. From my experience, cycle 05 transcripts typically update Thursday nights/early Friday mornings (around 12am-6am EST). That's when the IRS does their weekly batch processing for our cycle. Here's what I learned the hard way: checking multiple times a day literally does nothing except stress you out more. The updates happen on a schedule, not based on how often we refresh lol. I'd recommend checking Friday mornings only and giving yourself a break the rest of the week. Also, if you're seeing no movement at all, it might be worth calling the IRS to make sure there aren't any holds or missing documents. Sometimes we're waiting for nothing when there's actually an issue that needs to be resolved first. Stay strong - the waiting game is brutal but we'll get through it! 💪

Great question! I went through this exact same situation when I transitioned from F-1 to H1B in 2022. The key thing to understand is that you'll file what's called a "dual-status" return for 2023. Here's what you need to do: 1. File Form 1040 with "Dual-Status Return" written across the top 2. Attach Form 1040NR as a statement (don't file it separately) 3. Include a detailed statement showing how you split your income between the two periods The tricky part is determining exactly when your status changed for tax purposes. Since your H1B started in October 2023, that's likely your residency start date. Everything before October would be treated under nonresident rules, and everything after under resident rules. A few important things to remember: - You can't e-file a dual-status return - it has to be mailed - Different deduction rules apply to each period - Make sure to check if any tax treaty benefits apply to your F-1 period - Don't forget about state taxes - they often have different rules I'd definitely recommend getting professional help or using specialized software that handles dual-status returns, as the regular tax software doesn't handle this situation well. Good luck!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is timing for estimated tax payments. Since you switched from F-1 to H-1B mid-year, you might need to make estimated quarterly payments for the H-1B portion if your employer wasn't withholding enough taxes (which is common when you start mid-year). The IRS expects you to pay taxes as you earn income, so even though you're filing a dual-status return for 2023, you should have been making estimated payments for Q4 2023 if needed. For 2024, make sure you're either having enough withheld from your H-1B paychecks or making quarterly estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties. Also, keep detailed records of everything - dates of status change, pay stubs showing withholdings for each period, any tax treaty claims, etc. The IRS might have questions about dual-status returns, and having good documentation will save you headaches later.

10 Has anyone compared the total 5-year cost between claiming actual expenses + depreciation versus just taking the standard mileage rate? I'm debating between the Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica for my mobile notary business.

I've been researching this exact question for my consulting business and here's what I found: The Honda Odyssey can qualify for Section 179, but you're right to be concerned about the limitations. The main issue is that most minivans, including the Odyssey, have a GVWR under 6,000 pounds, which subjects them to the luxury vehicle depreciation limits. For 2025, that means your first-year deduction is capped at around $19,200 (including Section 179 and bonus depreciation combined), and you'd apply your 75% business use percentage to that. However, don't overlook that you can still deduct 75% of all your actual vehicle expenses (insurance, gas, maintenance, repairs) on top of the depreciation. For many people, this ends up being more valuable than you'd initially think. My advice: Run the numbers both ways - standard mileage rate versus actual expenses plus depreciation. For a newer vehicle like the Odyssey with higher insurance and maintenance costs, actual expenses often come out ahead. Also, keep immaculate records from day one - the IRS scrutinizes vehicle deductions more heavily, so having detailed mileage logs and expense documentation is crucial. The Odyssey is actually a great choice for business use if it fits your needs - don't let the tax considerations alone drive you toward a vehicle that doesn't work as well for your business operations.

Has anyone actually managed to deduct medical expenses recently anyway? With the 7.5% AGI threshold it seems almost impossible unless you had catastrophic medical costs or really low income.

I've been through this exact situation! My mom paid for my emergency room visit last year ($3,200) and I spent weeks researching this. The bottom line is what Lucy said earlier - only the person who actually paid can deduct the expense. However, there IS one legitimate workaround if you act quickly: if you can reimburse your parents for the full amount they paid BEFORE you file your taxes (and ideally in the same tax year), then YOU become the one who paid the expense and can claim the deduction. You'd need to be able to show clear documentation of the reimbursement though. The loan arrangement some people mentioned can work too, but it needs to be documented properly from the start. A retroactive "loan agreement" probably won't hold up if the IRS looks into it. Also keep in mind that even if you can claim the $7,800, you'd still need to itemize deductions AND have that amount exceed 7.5% of your AGI to actually benefit from it. For many people, that means the deduction ends up being worthless anyway because they're better off taking the standard deduction.