I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! International student from Germany, got my first 1042-S this year from a research assistantship, and now the IRS is asking for forms 8805 and 8288-A. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea this was such a common issue with their automated systems. Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like the key steps are: 1. Write a clear explanation letter stating you're an international student with no partnership income or real estate transactions 2. Include copies of all relevant documents (W-2, 1042-S, visa documentation, I-20) 3. Clearly mark everything as "INTERNATIONAL STUDENT - 1042-S ISSUE" 4. Send via certified mail with tracking I'm going to try the taxr.ai suggestion first to get help with the explanation letter, and if I can't get through to the IRS by phone myself, I might try Claimyr as a backup. The deadline stress is real when you're dealing with immigration status on top of tax confusion! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver for international students navigating the US tax system.

This is such a frustrating but unfortunately common issue for international students! I went through something very similar last year as a PhD student from Canada. The IRS automated system seems to flag any 1042-S and automatically request these forms without considering the context. A few additional tips that helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1. If you have access to your university's tax preparation software (like TurboTax through the school), print out the tax summary page that shows your income sources. This helps demonstrate that your fellowship/stipend income is properly categorized as scholarship income, not partnership distributions. 2. When you write your explanation letter, explicitly state "I have never been a partner in any partnership" and "I have never owned or sold US real property." The IRS agents processing these letters look for these specific statements. 3. Since you're currently in Brazil, consider having a trusted friend or family member in the US send the documents on your behalf if the deadline is approaching. Just make sure they include a note explaining they're sending on your behalf due to your family emergency. The international student office at MSU should really have standard guidance for this - it's disappointing they're not responding. You might try reaching out to the graduate school directly as they often deal with fellowship tax issues. Don't stress too much - this gets resolved once you send the proper explanation. The IRS just needs clarification that their computer made an error in your case.

Has anyone used Cash App's tax reporting features? I know they have some built-in tools for business accounts but idk if those help with personal accounts too?

Just to add another perspective - I was in a similar boat last year with about $2,800 from freelance graphic design work through Cash App. I ended up going the Schedule C route and it was definitely the right choice. Even though it seemed more complicated at first, I was able to deduct things like my Adobe subscription, art supplies, and even a portion of my home internet bill since I work from home. Those deductions saved me way more than I would have saved by just reporting it as "other income" on Schedule 1. The key thing that helped me was keeping really detailed records throughout the year - I created a simple spreadsheet tracking each payment, what it was for, and any related expenses. When tax time came, everything was already organized and ready to go. Don't stress too much about the audit risk - as long as you're honest and have documentation, you'll be fine!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation right now! Got my CP01H letter last month, completed the ID.me verification online (which took forever), and then got ANOTHER letter saying I need to call. It's so confusing that they don't explain these are two separate processes. Based on all the responses here, it sounds like I definitely need to make that call. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - at least now I know what to expect. Going to try calling early tomorrow morning with my tax returns ready. Fingers crossed I can get through without waiting hours on hold!

I just went through this exact nightmare myself! The IRS verification system is absolutely broken. I did the ID.me verification thinking I was all set, then got the CP01H letter demanding a phone call. Spent 3 days trying to get through before finally connecting. The agent explained that the online verification only confirms your identity for accessing IRS online services, while the phone verification is specifically for processing your tax return - they're completely separate systems that don't talk to each other at all. It's mind-boggling that they don't explain this clearly in their letters. After the phone verification, my refund was processed in about 10 days. Definitely call as early as possible (7am when they open) and have your last 2 years of returns ready. They'll ask very specific questions about previous filing amounts and dates. Hang in there - once you get through the phone verification, it moves pretty fast!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been through this exact situation! I started selling digital content (similar situation to yours) about two years ago and was terrified about the tax implications. The biggest thing that helped me was realizing that from the IRS perspective, this is just self-employment income like any other side business. Whether you're selling feet pics, tutoring, or making crafts - the tax treatment is identical. Here's what I learned that might help: 1) Keep meticulous records from day one. I use a simple spreadsheet tracking every payment received and any business expenses (props, camera equipment, editing apps, etc.) 2) The alias situation is totally manageable. I've been using a stage name for two years with no issues. Just make sure you can clearly document that the income belongs to you. 3) Consider your payment platform carefully. I had to switch away from PayPal after they became problematic about content policies, even for non-explicit material. 4) Set aside 30% of earnings immediately for taxes. I put mine in a separate savings account so I'm not tempted to spend it. 5) Don't overthink the business description on tax forms. "Digital Content Creation" or "Photography Sales" works perfectly fine. The privacy concerns are valid, but remember that tax records are confidential. Future employers won't see your tax returns or know what specific products you sold to earn income. You've got this! Student loans are crushing, and there's no shame in finding creative legal ways to pay them down faster.

I want to emphasize something important that others have touched on but bears repeating - you absolutely need to treat this as legitimate self-employment income from day one, regardless of what you're selling. I work as a tax preparer and see people in similar situations regularly. The IRS doesn't care about the nature of your legal business - they care about accurate reporting and proper tax compliance. Here are some key points: 1) Document everything meticulously. Bank statements, payment platform records, expense receipts - keep it all organized by tax year. 2) If using an alias, maintain clear documentation linking that alias to your SSN. Screenshots of payment transfers, account statements, anything that shows the connection. 3) Open a separate bank account for business income, even if it's under your real name. This separation makes record-keeping much cleaner and shows the IRS you're treating this professionally. 4) Calculate and pay quarterly estimated taxes if you expect to owe $1,000+ annually. Use Form 1040-ES or work with a tax professional to avoid underpayment penalties. 5) Track deductible expenses: photography equipment, props, software subscriptions, portion of internet/phone bills used for business, even a portion of rent if you use part of your home exclusively for this work. The privacy concerns are understandable, but tax filings are confidential. Your Schedule C will simply show "Digital Content Creation" or similar - no one will know specifics about your products. Consider consulting with a tax professional for your first year to ensure everything is set up correctly. The peace of mind is worth the cost, especially when dealing with student loan debt stress. You're taking a proactive approach to your financial situation - that's commendable. Just make sure you're protecting yourself legally and financially from the start.

This situation is unfortunately more common than it should be, especially with small businesses. Here are some immediate steps you can take: 1. **Document everything** - Take photos of your checks and keep a detailed log of hours worked vs. pay received. This will be crucial evidence if you need to file complaints. 2. **Request a meeting** - Ask your boss for a sit-down conversation about payroll. Come prepared with specific questions: "Can you show me how you calculate my withholdings?" and "When will I receive my W-2 for tax filing?" 3. **Know your rights** - Your employer is legally required to provide you with a paystub showing gross pay, all deductions, and net pay. In many states, this is mandated by law regardless of business size. 4. **Contact your state's Department of Labor** - They can investigate wage and hour violations and often have resources specifically for situations like this. Many have anonymous tip lines. 5. **Start setting aside money NOW** - Assume you'll owe taxes on your full gross income and save accordingly. Better to be prepared than caught off guard. The fact that you never filled out a W-4 is a major red flag. Don't let the fear of losing your job prevent you from protecting yourself financially. Your boss's evasive behavior suggests he knows he's not handling this properly.

This is a really concerning situation, and you're absolutely right to question what's happening. As someone who's dealt with payroll issues before, here are some red flags I'm seeing: 1. **No W-4 form** - This should have been the very first thing you filled out when starting work. Without it, your employer has no legal basis for withholding taxes. 2. **No paystubs** - Even the smallest businesses are required to provide documentation of what's being withheld from your pay. The fact that he's just writing personal checks without any breakdown is highly irregular. 3. **Evasive behavior** - A legitimate employer would be happy to explain their payroll process and show you exactly where your tax money is going. I'd strongly recommend starting with the basics: send your boss a text or email requesting copies of your W-4 and paystubs for all pay periods. Having this in writing creates a paper trail. If he can't or won't provide these basic documents, that tells you everything you need to know. Also, start calculating and setting aside about 25-30% of your gross pay for taxes, just in case. You don't want to be stuck with a huge tax bill if it turns out he's been pocketing your withholdings instead of sending them to the IRS. Your instincts are spot on - trust them and protect yourself!