Important note from someone who messed this up last year - don't forget to check if your country has a tax treaty with the US! I'm from the Netherlands and found out too late that there are special provisions that could have saved me money on my US taxes. Also make sure you tell your broker you're a non-resident alien by submitting a W-8BEN form. If you don't, they might withhold at the wrong rates or report your income incorrectly.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also on F1 and was totally panicking about the 30% rate. Just to add one more point that helped me - if you're using multiple brokers (like I have both Robinhood and Fidelity), make sure you submit the W-8BEN form to ALL of them. I made the mistake of only doing it for one account and ended up with incorrect withholding on my dividends from the other broker. Had to file for a refund which was a huge hassle. Also, keep really good records of all your trades and any tax documents (1042-S forms, etc.) because as non-resident aliens we sometimes get different tax forms than regular US taxpayers, and you'll need them all when filing your 1040NR. The effectively connected income treatment for capital gains is definitely the key thing to understand - it was such a relief to learn my gains weren't subject to that flat 30% rate!

Something else to consider - if you wait too long to file, your refund might get delayed even further because the IRS prioritizes processing returns filed by the deadline. The later in the year you file, the longer the processing times tend to get as they're dealing with amended returns, audits, etc. Just something to think about if you're counting on that refund money!

Great question! I went through something similar during my own cross-country move. While there's no penalty for filing late when you're expecting a refund, I'd still recommend filing Form 4868 for the extension - it literally takes 5 minutes online and gives you peace of mind until October 15th. Here's what I learned: even though the IRS won't penalize you for late filing when they owe you money, filing the extension keeps everything official and prevents any potential system notices. Plus, if your calculations are wrong and you actually DO owe something, you'll face penalties and interest from the original April deadline if you don't file the extension. Since you just moved states, double-check if you need to file in multiple states too - those rules can be different from federal. And honestly, with a new job and move, your tax situation might be more complex than you think (moving expenses, state income differences, etc.). Better safe than sorry! The three-year rule others mentioned is real though - you have until April 2028 to claim any 2024 refund, but don't wait that long. File the extension now for peace of mind, then tackle your return when things settle down.

Dont forget that some orthodontists offer payment plans that stretch across tax years!! My Invisalign treatment was $6200 total but I paid $3100 in 2024 and will pay $3100 in 2025. Make sure ur keeping track of when u actually paid not just the total cost. Also my ortho gave me a printout of all payments for tax purposes without me even asking so check if yours does that too!

Just wanted to add my experience - I had Invisalign done last year and was able to deduct it successfully! One thing I discovered is that you can also deduct related expenses like the special cleaning tablets, replacement retainers, and even mileage to your orthodontist appointments (it's $0.22 per mile for medical travel in 2024). I kept a detailed log of all my appointments and tracked every little expense. The cleaning supplies alone added up to about $180 over the course of treatment. Also, if you need to take time off work for appointments, you can't deduct lost wages, but any parking fees or public transportation costs to get to appointments are deductible too. Make sure to get a detailed receipt from your orthodontist that shows the treatment was for medical purposes (bite correction, jaw alignment, etc.) rather than purely cosmetic. This documentation will be crucial if you ever get audited. My orthodontist was really helpful about providing a letter explaining the medical necessity of my treatment.

One thing nobody has mentioned yet is the Fresh Start program from the IRS. If you owe less than $50,000, you might qualify for a streamlined installment agreement where you can have up to 72 months to pay. The application is pretty straightforward too - you can even do it online for smaller amounts. For your specific situation with both back taxes and unpaid estimated taxes, you'll want to get everything filed first, then set up one comprehensive payment plan. The IRS generally wants to see that you're fully compliant before they'll approve longer-term payment arrangements.

Just want to add my experience - I was in an almost identical situation last year. Had 3 years of unfiled taxes with both W-2 and 1099 income. I decided to DIY with tax software and regret it now. I thought I was saving money, but I missed several deductions that would have saved me thousands. I also messed up the estimated tax penalty calculations which caused more issues. Then I tried amending the returns myself which created an even bigger mess! Finally hired a tax pro who had to fix everything. Cost me way more in the end than if I'd just hired them at the beginning. Just my 2 cents, sometimes trying to save money costs more in the long run.

These clowns made me verify TWICE because they lost my first verification 🤡 Make sure you get proof that you completed it!

Been through this twice unfortunately. First time I didn't bring all the right documents and had to come back. Make sure you have: original Social Security card (not a copy!), valid government-issued photo ID, and the CP01H notice they sent you. Also check if your local office does appointments - some are appointment-only now. The verification itself is quick but yeah, the wait times can be brutal. Hang in there!