last year mine hit feb 27th exactly. hoping for the same this time around! 🤞

Same boat here! Filed early and now playing the waiting game. From what I've researched, the PATH Act hasn't changed - still requires IRS to hold EITC/CTC refunds until mid-February at earliest. But honestly the uncertainty every year is stressful when you're counting on that money for bills and expenses. Would be nice if they could give us more concrete dates instead of "by end of February" 😩

22 One thing to consider - you might want to file Form W-8BEN with Robinhood again to make absolutely sure they have your non-resident alien status on file for next year. Sometimes these issues happen because the brokerage doesn't have the correct tax classification in their system.

13 Have you considered filing for an extension? Form 4868 would give you until October 15 to file, which might give you more time to sort this out with Robinhood.

Has anybody tried FreeTaxUSA? My buddy swears by it for self-employment taxes and says it's way cheaper than both TurboTax and TaxSlayer while doing basically the same thing.

I've been using TurboTax for about 5 years now and while it's definitely more expensive, I think it's worth it for the peace of mind, especially with a mixed income situation like yours. The interview-style questions really help catch deductions I wouldn't have thought of on my own. For your mortgage interest deduction as a new homeowner, TurboTax does a great job walking you through not just the basic interest but also things like points you may have paid at closing and PMI deductions if applicable. They also have really good explanations about what qualifies and what doesn't. The self-employment section is thorough too - it'll ask about everything from home office expenses to mileage to professional development costs. I've found their audit support to be reassuring as well, though hopefully you'll never need it. That said, if budget is a major concern, TaxSlayer will definitely get the job done for much less money. You just might have to be more proactive about researching deductions on your own rather than being guided to them.

lmaooo liberty tax stays playing games wit ppls money. switched to HR block this year and way better experience ngl

I used to work at a tax prep office and can confirm what Dylan said - Liberty Tax almost always takes their advance loan repayment from your federal refund first. They have to set up a temporary bank account during tax prep that intercepts your federal refund, deducts what you owe them, then deposits the remainder into your actual account. Your $800 state refund should come directly to you without any deductions. Just make sure to keep checking your account because sometimes the timing can be weird depending on when the IRS processes everything.

Has anyone tried using a CPA instead of an EA? What's really the difference? My buddy used a CPA for his back taxes and said it worked out fine.

I just want to echo what others have said about not panicking over those unopened IRS letters. I was in a very similar situation - hadn't filed for 3 years and was terrified to even look at the mail from the IRS. One thing I learned is that the IRS actually prefers to work with people who are trying to get compliant rather than those who continue to avoid the issue. When I finally got help, the penalties weren't as catastrophic as I had imagined in my head. For finding an EA in Minneapolis specifically, you might want to check with the Minnesota Society of Enrolled Agents. They often have local chapters that can provide referrals to members in your area who have experience with non-filer cases. Also, don't be afraid to interview a few EAs before choosing one. Most reputable ones will offer a brief consultation to discuss your situation and their approach. Ask specifically about their experience with 4+ years of unfiled returns and what their typical timeline looks like for getting everything resolved. You're taking the right step by seeking help now. The sooner you start, the more options you'll have for payment plans and penalty abatement.