Don't feel foolish - the tax system is complicated! One thing to consider: was this rental income ACTUALLY earned in 2024, or was it payment for the 2023 rental period that just happened to be paid in January? If it was payment for December 2023 rental that was just paid in January, some might argue it actually belongs on 2023 taxes depending on your accounting method (cash vs accrual). Might be worth clarifying this point.

You're definitely not alone in making this mistake! I had a similar situation with some freelance income last year. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of exactly when the income was received versus when it was for. In your case, since you received the rental payment on January 3rd, 2024, it should indeed go on your 2024 return regardless of what rental period it covered (assuming you use cash basis accounting like most individual taxpayers). The 1040-X process is pretty straightforward once you get started. Make sure to clearly explain in Part III that you're removing income that was mistakenly reported in the wrong tax year. I'd also recommend making copies of everything before you mail it in - the IRS has been pretty slow with processing amendments lately. One small tip: if this was a significant amount of income that affected your tax bracket or other deductions, double-check that removing it from 2023 doesn't create any other issues with things like the Earned Income Credit or other income-based calculations.

Anyone used both TurboTax and H&R Block who can tell me which is better for first-timers? My brother says TurboTax is more expensive but easier to use.

As someone who was in your exact shoes two years ago, I'd definitely recommend going the DIY route with your simple tax situation! I ended up using TurboTax Free and it was honestly much easier than I expected. One thing that really helped me was gathering all my documents first - your W-2, any 1099-INT forms from your savings accounts (even if the interest was small), and your bank account info for direct deposit. Having everything ready made the process super smooth. The step-by-step interview format in both TurboTax and H&R Block is designed for people who have never done taxes before. They literally ask questions like "Did you work a job this year?" and guide you through entering each piece of information. For someone with just W-2 income and savings accounts, you'll probably spend more time gathering documents than actually filling out the return. Save your money and skip the tax preparer for now - you can always go that route in future years if your situation gets more complicated with investments, side income, or major life changes.

People here are missing the biggest difference: liability. When you use TurboTax, YOU are responsible for any mistakes. When you use H&R Block or similar services, they have some level of liability for errors they make. Most H&R Block locations offer what they call a "Peace of Mind" guarantee, which means they'll pay penalties and interest (up to a certain amount) if they make a mistake. Some also offer audit support if you get audited. You don't get that with DIY software. That said, I agree many of their preparers are just using glorified software. If you want actual tax expertise, you need an Enrolled Agent or CPA, not just any random tax preparer.

Just wanted to add - there's a huge difference between: 1. H&R Block seasonal preparers 2. H&R Block Enrolled Agents 3. Independent CPAs Last year I went to H&R Block and got a first-year preparer who missed several deductions. This year I specifically requested an Enrolled Agent at the same office, and the difference was night and day. She found an additional $3,200 in deductions the previous preparer missed AND amended my prior year return. The EA explained that she had to pass rigorous IRS testing and does continuing education every year, while the basic preparers just do the company's training course. If you go to Block, Liberty, Jackson Hewitt, etc., ALWAYS ask for an EA specifically. It might cost a bit more but worth every penny.

Does anyone know if you need to file for a FICA refund if you're filing your annual tax return anyway? Couldn't you just claim these excess deductions on your 1040NR?

I just went through this exact same situation as an F1 STEM OPT student! One thing I'd add to the great advice already given is to make sure you keep detailed records of everything. I created a spreadsheet tracking each pay period where FICA was incorrectly withheld, along with the specific amounts for Social Security and Medicare taxes. Also, don't let your employer off the hook completely. Even though they're being uncooperative about providing documentation, they are still required by law to correct their records and stop future withholding. You might want to escalate within HR or contact their payroll department directly - sometimes different departments are more helpful. One more tip: when you file Form 843, include a cover letter clearly explaining your situation. I wrote a simple one-page letter stating I was an F1 student on STEM OPT, exempt from FICA taxes, and that my employer had incorrectly withheld these taxes. I attached copies of my I-20, EAD card, and pay stubs showing the withholding. This seemed to help the IRS process my claim more efficiently. Good luck with your refund - $4,200 is definitely worth fighting for!

Has anyone used FreeTaxUSA for reporting investments? H&R Block and TurboTax want to upgrade me to paid versions once I mention having a 1099, but I'm trying to save money.

Don't stress too much! Your situation is totally manageable. With only $3,800 invested and around $290 in gains/dividends, this is exactly the kind of straightforward investment income that tax software handles really well. Here's what I'd recommend: stick with TurboTax since you're already familiar with it, but you'll need to upgrade to at least the Deluxe version to handle investment income (the free version won't support 1099 forms). The upgrade is usually around $40-60, which is still way cheaper than hiring a CPA for such a simple situation. The consolidated 1099 will have clearly labeled boxes - you'll mainly be looking at dividends (both ordinary and qualified) and any capital gains/losses from your stock sales. TurboTax will ask you simple questions like "Do you have investment income?" and then walk you through entering each relevant box from your form. Since you mentioned Robinhood in the comments, that's great news - they definitely support direct import with TurboTax, so you won't even need to manually enter the numbers. Just connect your account and let the software pull everything over automatically. For someone in your situation (hospital worker with simple finances plus small investment activity), this should add maybe 15-20 minutes to your normal tax prep time. You've got this!