This is incredibly frustrating but totally normal during peak tax season! I've been a tax preparer for 8 years and see this constantly with clients. The IRS security system has become super aggressive - it's not just about your login attempts but also your IP reputation, device fingerprinting, and even network traffic patterns. Here's what usually works: 1) Try mobile data instead of wifi, 2) Use incognito/private browsing mode, 3) Clear ALL site data for irs.gov (not just cookies), and 4) Disable any VPN or proxy. If you're still locked out after 24 hours, call the Practitioner Priority Service at 866-860-4259 - they can usually reset the flag on your account immediately. Don't stress, your account isn't compromised, it's just their overzealous fraud protection doing its thing! 🤗

I've been having this exact same issue for the past three days! It's so frustrating because I literally haven't even attempted to log in recently, but the system keeps saying I've exceeded my attempts. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the IP flagging and DDoS protection stuff. Going to try the mobile data trick right now since that seems to be the most successful workaround. It's honestly crazy how aggressive their security system has gotten, but I guess better safe than sorry with all the tax fraud out there. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions! 🤞

Filed March 11th with Chime/Cross River and just got my deposit this morning! I was in the exact same boat as you - checking WMR obsessively and getting frustrated with the "still processing" message. What finally helped was getting my transcript from the IRS website (took a few tries to verify my identity but eventually worked). The transcript showed way more detail than WMR and had actual codes that explained what was happening. Mine had been sitting in a verification queue for nearly two weeks. The key thing I learned is that the 5-day early deposit only kicks in once the IRS actually releases the funds and sets a direct deposit date - Chime can't work magic if the IRS hasn't approved your return yet. Hang in there, it sounds like a lot of people who filed around the same time as us are finally getting their deposits this week!

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed March 9th with Chime/Cross River and still waiting. The "still processing" message on Where's My Refund is driving me crazy. I've been seeing a lot of people mention checking transcripts and using tools like taxr.ai to understand what's actually happening. I tried to get my transcript but couldn't verify my identity online either - so frustrating! It's a bit reassuring to see that others who filed around the same time are finally getting their deposits this week. Fingers crossed we're in the next batch! The waiting game is brutal when you're counting on that money.

As someone who went through this exact same situation a few years ago, I can share what worked for me. You're right that the US-Belgium tax treaty prevents double taxation, but as a US citizen, you'll still need to file with both countries. Here's my practical approach: First, establish your Belgian tax residency clearly (sounds like you already have this). Then file your Belgian taxes first since their deadline comes earlier. Belgium will tax your worldwide income, including your US client payments. For the US side, you'll file using Form 1040 and claim Foreign Tax Credits (Form 1116) for the taxes you paid to Belgium. Since Belgian tax rates are typically higher than US rates, you'll likely owe little to nothing to the IRS after applying these credits. Don't forget about FBAR reporting if your Belgian bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during the year - this is separate from your tax return but crucial for compliance. One thing that caught me off guard: make sure you're classifying your freelance work correctly on both returns. Belgium might view it differently than the US, so keep detailed records of your work arrangements and payment structures. For affordable professional help, look into expat tax specialists who offer flat-rate consultations. Many charge $200-400 for an initial review, which can save you thousands in mistakes or overpayment.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm a CPA who specializes in international tax situations, and I wanted to add a few key points that might help Paolo and others in similar situations. First, regarding the timing of payments - since you're freelancing with a US client, make sure you're making quarterly estimated tax payments to both countries if required. Belgium typically requires advance payments (voorafbetalingen/versements anticipés) if you owe more than €2,610, and the US requires quarterly estimates if you'll owe more than $1,000. Second, watch out for the "saving clause" in the US-Belgium treaty. While the treaty provides relief from double taxation, the US still reserves the right to tax its citizens on worldwide income. This means you can't completely escape US tax obligations through the treaty alone - you need to use domestic provisions like the Foreign Tax Credit or Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Finally, consider the implications of your business structure. If you're operating as a sole proprietorship in Belgium but the US might view your arrangement differently, this could affect how your income is characterized and taxed. Some freelancers benefit from incorporating in Belgium depending on their income levels and business circumstances. The tools and services mentioned in this thread (taxr.ai, Claimyr) can be helpful, but always verify any advice with qualified professionals familiar with both jurisdictions before making final decisions.

I went through this exact situation last year! Just to add to what others have said - the IRS has a specific threshold for household employees. If you pay your babysitter $2,600 or more in 2025 (it increases slightly each year), then you definitely need to treat them as an employee and handle payroll taxes. At $150 every two weeks, you'd hit about $3,900 for the year, so you'd be over that threshold. The good news is that even with proper employee classification, you can still claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit - you just need their SSN and address on Form 2441. One tip that saved me a headache: start keeping detailed records NOW of when she works and how much you pay. The IRS wants to see that you're treating this seriously from the beginning, not scrambling to create documentation later. A simple spreadsheet with dates, hours, and payments works fine.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also consider state requirements! While everyone's focusing on federal tax rules, many states have their own household employment laws and unemployment insurance requirements. For example, some states require you to register for state unemployment insurance even if you're only paying a babysitter a few hundred dollars a year. Others have different thresholds than the federal $2,600 limit. I learned this the hard way when my state sent me a notice about missing unemployment insurance filings for my part-time nanny. I'd recommend checking your state's department of labor website or calling them directly. The rules vary quite a bit state by state, and it's better to know upfront than get surprised later. Some states also have their own versions of the Child and Dependent Care Credit with different requirements than the federal one. Also, don't forget to discuss with your babysitter whether she wants any taxes withheld from her pay or if she prefers to handle it all when she files her own return. Some prefer the withholding so they don't owe a big chunk at tax time!

pro tip: call the tax advocate service if it goes beyond 9 weeks. They can actually help push it through sometimes

Just went through ID verification myself about 10 days ago. From what I've read on here and other forums, it really varies - some people get their refunds in 3-4 weeks, others wait the full 9 weeks. I'm checking my transcripts every Friday and calling it my "transcript Friday" ritual lol. The waiting game is brutal but at least we're all in this together! 🤞