Another quick tip - if you're filling out multiple W9s for different clients, make sure you're consistent with how you write your name and business info across all of them. I learned this the hard way when one client's 1099 didn't match my tax return because I abbreviated my middle name on one W9 but wrote it out fully on others. Created a headache during tax season that could have been easily avoided! Also, keep copies of all the W9s you submit. It helps when you're doing your taxes and need to cross-reference with the 1099s you receive.

Pro tip from someone who's been filing W9s for years: I actually keep a master document with all my standard info (full legal name exactly as it appears on tax returns, SSN, address, etc.) that I copy from every time I need to fill out a new W9. This ensures I'm always consistent across all forms. I also take a photo or screenshot of each completed W9 before submitting it - way easier than keeping track of physical copies. When tax season comes around, I have a folder on my phone with all my W9s that I can reference when the 1099s start arriving. One more thing - if you ever move or change your name legally, make sure to update ALL your clients with new W9s. Otherwise you'll get 1099s with your old info that won't match your current tax return. Learned that one the hard way too!

Different situation but similar frustration - I couldn't figure out why my refund was stuck in processing for weeks. Called IRS multiple times with no luck. Finally used Claimyr to get through to an agent (claimyr.com) and found out there was a simple error code that needed to be manually cleared. Got my refund 3 days later. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing! DDD of 3/14 with Capital One and still nothing. Last year my refund hit 3 days early, but this year seems totally different. I've been obsessively checking my account every few hours like it's going to magically appear lol. From what I'm reading in the comments, it sounds like banks are being more cautious this year and the IRS processing is just generally slower. The waiting is driving me insane but I guess we just have to be patient until our actual DDD passes. At least we're not alone in this frustrating experience!

One tip that helped me with EFTPS: you can schedule all your quarterly payments for the ENTIRE YEAR at once! I just set up all four payments in January with the correct due dates, and I never have to worry about forgetting a payment. The system will automatically process them on the dates you select.

Another thing to keep in mind when using EFTPS - make sure you're making your payment at least 1-2 business days before the due date, especially if it's your first time using the system. I learned this the hard way when I tried to make a same-day payment on the quarterly deadline and ran into technical issues with the website being slow. Even though EFTPS allows same-day payments, giving yourself that buffer helps avoid any last-minute stress. Also, if you're ever unsure about which tax period to select, the current quarter due dates are: Q1 (Jan-Mar) due April 15th, Q2 (Apr-May) due June 15th, Q3 (Jun-Aug) due September 15th, and Q4 (Sep-Dec) due January 15th of the following year.

Has anyone had experience fixing a W-8 BEN that was submitted with incorrect information? I realized after submitting mine that I used my US address instead of my home country address, and now I'm panicking about possible consequences.

Great question! I went through this exact same situation when I was on F1 and later OPT. The key thing to remember is that the W-8 BEN is specifically for establishing your foreign tax status, so you should definitely use your permanent foreign address (India) rather than your current US address. Even though you're physically residing in the US, you're still considered a nonresident alien for tax purposes, and the form is designed to confirm your foreign tax residency. Using your US address could potentially create confusion about your tax status with both your broker and the IRS. If your family has moved in India since you've been here, just use their current address - that's totally fine and very common for students in our situation. The important thing is having a legitimate connection to your home country address. Also, don't forget to check if you're eligible for treaty benefits in Part II of the form! As an Indian citizen, you might qualify for reduced dividend withholding rates under the US-India tax treaty, which could save you money on your investment income.

Dumb question maybe, but what exactly happens if the statute of limitations runs out while they're still auditing? Does the whole thing just go away magically, or can they still assess taxes based on what they found up to that point?

Based on your situation, I'd actually recommend signing the Form 872 with a negotiated timeframe. Here's why: since you've already provided all documentation and are planning to accept their findings anyway, giving them adequate time to complete a thorough review could work in your favor. When auditors feel rushed by an expiring statute, they often make conservative estimates that lean heavily toward the government's position. With more time, they might catch calculation errors in your favor or give more consideration to borderline deductions. Since you mentioned the proposed increase is $4,200, I'd suggest signing the extension but negotiating it down to 6 months instead of the typical 1-year extension. This gives them sufficient time while still keeping some urgency to wrap things up. You can literally cross out the date on Form 872 and write in your preferred end date - most examiners will accept reasonable modifications. The key is being proactive about it. Contact your examiner and say something like: "I'm willing to sign the extension to give you adequate time to complete a thorough review, but I'd prefer to limit it to 6 months to bring closure to this matter." This shows cooperation while maintaining some control over the timeline.