the irs website is literally unusable rn. keeps giving me an error message saying try again later smh

Have you tried calling the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954? It's automated and you can check your status over the phone using your SSN and refund amount. Sometimes it works when the website is down. Just be prepared for long wait times if you need to speak to someone.

Just want to add that state taxes can be trickier than federal in this situation! California is super aggressive about claiming people as residents even after they leave. When I left CA, I had to do all of the following to convince them I wasn't a resident anymore: 1) Close CA bank accounts 2) Get a driver's license in my new country 3) Sell my CA property 4) Register to vote in my new location 5) Move my belongings out of storage in CA Even after all that, they still sent me letters for 2 years! Make sure you formally terminate your state residency before leaving.

Great question! I went through something similar when I moved from the US to start my nomad journey in 2023. A few key things to consider: **Federal Tax Obligations:** - You'll likely still need to file a US tax return for 2024 since you were physically present in the US for part of the year - Keep detailed records of your exact departure date and where you earn income after leaving - If you're not a US citizen, you may be able to terminate your tax residency status once you leave, but this depends on your specific visa situation **State Tax Considerations:** - Since you're in California, definitely take the state tax termination steps seriously (as Giovanni mentioned above) - File a final CA tax return marking yourself as a part-year resident - California will want to see clear evidence that you've severed all ties **Digital Nomad Income:** - The source of your income matters - if your clients are US-based, there may be withholding requirements even after you leave - Consider whether you qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion once you meet the physical presence test **Pro tip:** Start documenting everything now - flight bookings, accommodation receipts, work location logs. The IRS loves paper trails for international tax situations! Would definitely recommend getting professional advice given the complexity of your situation with both federal and CA state tax implications.

I successfully navigated this exact scenario last month. Filed through World Finance on January 18th, received a $1,200 advance same day, and had both CTC and EIC on my return. My transcript updated on February 17th (which would likely have been the case regardless of where I filed), and I received my remaining refund (minus the advance and fees) on February 22nd. The process was relatively smooth, though I would potentially consider other options next year that might offer more competitive fee structures for the advance service.

I went through World Finance last year and this year with similar credits. Here's what I learned: the advance is basically a loan against your expected refund - it doesn't change how fast the IRS processes anything. With CTC and EIC, you're looking at the standard PATH Act hold regardless of where you file. My 2023 return took 22 days, my 2024 return took 25 days. Both had the same credits as you're dealing with. The Head of Household change shouldn't add delays unless there's a dependent issue. Just keep checking Where's My Refund - that's your real timeline, not anything World Finance tells you. The advance helped me pay bills early but came with about $75 in fees for a $800 advance, so factor that into your planning.

I went through the exact same frustrating experience with my ITIN application last year! The "missing information" rejection without specific details is unfortunately very common. Here's what I learned from my experience: First, definitely look for a rejection code on your notice - it's usually a small number or letter that corresponds to the specific issue. Sometimes it's easy to miss because it's not prominently displayed. Second, I'd strongly recommend calling the ITIN line (1-800-908-9982) early in the morning - I found I had better luck getting through around 8 AM when they first open. Have your rejection notice and W-7 form ready when you call. For treaty benefits specifically, make sure you're using the correct treaty article and exemption code on your W-7. I initially put the wrong code because I misunderstood which article of the treaty applied to my situation. The IRS website has country-specific treaty tables that show exactly which codes to use for different types of income. Also, since you moved here last year, double-check that your supporting documents (passport, etc.) are still valid and that any required translations are properly certified. Good luck - don't give up! It's worth getting right for the treaty benefits you're entitled to.

I completely understand your frustration - ITIN rejections with vague explanations are unfortunately very common, especially for first-time applicants. The good news is that this is definitely fixable! A few immediate steps I'd recommend: 1. **Look for a rejection code** - Even though the letter seems vague, there's usually a small code (like "R 07" or similar) somewhere on the notice that indicates the specific issue. It might be in small print or in a corner. 2. **Call the ITIN hotline early** - Try 1-800-908-9982 right when they open at 8 AM. Yes, you'll likely wait 30-60 minutes, but it's much better than the impossible wait times later in the day. Have your rejection notice and original W-7 form ready. 3. **Double-check your treaty code** - Since you mentioned claiming treaty benefits, verify you selected the correct exemption code for your specific country and income type. The IRS has detailed treaty tables on their website that show exactly which codes apply to different situations. 4. **Consider a Certified Acceptance Agent** - They can review your documents in person and catch common issues before submission. Plus, you won't have to mail original documents. Don't give up! The treaty benefits you're entitled to are worth the extra effort to get this right. Most people succeed on their second attempt once they know exactly what needs to be corrected.

Great question about the timing! From my experience helping my sister with a similar cross-state vehicle gift, the timing of when you complete the transfer versus when you establish residency in Colorado shouldn't affect the federal gift tax requirements. Your mom will still need to file Form 709 regardless of which state you're residing in when the gift occurs. However, for state-specific requirements, I'd recommend completing the transfer after you've established Colorado residency. Colorado has a fairly straightforward process for vehicle gifts between family members - you'll need to bring documentation proving the family relationship and that it's a gift (not a sale) to avoid paying sales tax on the vehicle's value. You'll want to check Colorado's DMV website for their specific gift affidavit form (I believe it's similar to what others mentioned for Texas). The key is having proper documentation from your mom showing it's a legitimate gift. One thing to consider - since the vehicle is worth $25,000, you might want to explore the option another commenter mentioned about structuring it as a partial sale/partial gift to reduce the amount over the annual exclusion that your mom needs to report. But definitely consult with a tax professional if you go that route to make sure it's documented properly. The move timing is actually perfect since you'll be able to register the vehicle in Colorado with your new address right away!

Welcome to the community! Based on what you've shared, you're on the right track with understanding the gift tax implications. Since your car is worth $22,000 and the annual exclusion is $18,000, you would need to file Form 709 to report the $4,000 excess, but as others have mentioned, you won't actually owe any taxes unless you've already used up your lifetime exemption. One thing I'd add that might be helpful - make sure you get a proper appraisal or use a reliable source like KBB for the car's fair market value when you document the gift. The IRS expects you to use the fair market value on the date of the gift, not what you originally paid for it. For the New York to Texas transfer, you'll want to make sure the title is properly signed over with "gift" clearly indicated, and your daughter should check Texas DMV requirements for family vehicle gifts. Most states have exemptions from sales tax for legitimate family gifts, but she'll still need the right paperwork. The cross-state aspect actually works in your favor since you won't have to deal with New York's vehicle transfer requirements - Texas will handle everything on their end once your daughter registers it there. Good luck with the transfer! It's really nice that you're helping your daughter get reliable transportation for her new job.