Also worth noting that NC typically processes e-filed returns much faster than paper ones. If you e-filed and it's been more than 3 weeks, that's when I'd start following up. The "Where's My Refund" tool on ncdor.gov usually updates once a week, so don't panic if it doesn't change daily.

Pro tip: if you're having trouble with the NC site being down, try checking early morning or late evening when there's less traffic. Also make sure you have your exact refund amount from your return - if you're off by even a dollar it won't let you in. Been through this myself and it's frustrating but the system is pretty strict about matching info exactly.

Has anyone considered the flipside? If the tenant pays utilities directly, does that mean the TENANT can deduct those utilities somehow? Like as a home office deduction if they work from home? Just curious if there's any benefit to the tenant for paying utilities directly vs having them included in rent.

I went through this exact same situation with my duplex rental last year. The bottom line is definitely no - you cannot deduct utilities that your tenant pays directly to the utility companies. The IRS is very clear that you can only deduct expenses that you actually paid out of pocket. However, don't let this discourage you from the tenant-pays-utilities arrangement! There are actually some advantages to this setup. You don't have to worry about tenants leaving lights on or cranking up the heat since they're paying the bill. Plus, you avoid the hassle of having to collect utility reimbursements or dealing with seasonal fluctuations in your cash flow. Just make sure you're capturing all the deductions you ARE entitled to - property management fees, repairs, maintenance, insurance, property taxes, depreciation, etc. Those can add up to significant savings even without the utility deductions.

I've been researching this exact same question for my tech consulting LLC as a non-US resident from the UK. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm leaning heavily toward Wise Business, especially after seeing the detailed comparisons. One aspect I haven't seen discussed much is the impact on quarterly tax payments to the IRS. Does anyone know if there are differences in how Mercury vs Wise handles the electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS)? I need to make estimated tax payments for my LLC and want to ensure whichever bank I choose integrates smoothly with IRS payment systems. Also, for those using Wise Business - have you encountered any issues with US vendors or clients who specifically require payments from "traditional" US banks for their compliance requirements? I have a few potential enterprise clients who mentioned strict banking requirements in their vendor agreements. The fee savings with Wise seem compelling based on what everyone's shared, but I want to make sure I'm not creating any operational headaches down the road. Any insights would be really helpful as I make this decision!

I've been using Wise Business for my digital marketing LLC as a non-US resident (based in Ireland) for about 14 months now, and I wanted to add some practical insights that might help with your decision. The CRS reporting with Wise has been straightforward in my experience. They send you clear notifications about what information is being shared with your home country's tax authorities - typically account balances and transaction summaries. Since Ireland participates in CRS, I receive these notifications annually, and the information aligns perfectly with what I report on my Irish tax returns. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is their physical debit card, which has been incredibly useful for business expenses when traveling to the US. You can spend directly from your USD balance without conversion fees, or from other currency balances with their excellent exchange rates. The mobile app's expense categorization features have also been a pleasant surprise - much better than what I experienced with traditional banks. It automatically categorizes transactions and makes quarterly tax prep much easier. My only caution would be around their customer support during high-volume periods (like year-end). Response times can stretch to 2-3 days, so plan accordingly if you need urgent assistance. But for day-to-day operations, Wise Business has exceeded my expectations and the cost savings compared to traditional banking have been substantial.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - even if you're not required to file, there's also the psychological benefit of staying in the habit. I skipped filing one year when I had minimal income and it made me feel disconnected from my financial responsibilities. When I started working again the following year, I found myself less prepared for tax season because I'd gotten out of the routine. Filing even with zero income keeps you engaged with the process and helps you understand how different types of income and losses affect your taxes. Plus, if you use tax software, many of them are free for simple returns. It's actually good practice to walk through the filing process when the stakes are low (no income to mess up) rather than when you have a complex tax situation later.

I'm a tax professional and wanted to add some clarity to this discussion. While you're technically not required to file with such minimal income, I strongly recommend you do file for 2023. Here's why: First, those $3,000 investment losses are valuable! You can claim up to $3,000 in net capital losses against ordinary income each year, and any excess carries forward indefinitely. Even if you don't have income now to offset, those losses will be waiting for you when you do start earning again. Second, the $200 cash income from yard work - while minimal - should technically be reported if you file. The IRS doesn't have a "de minimis" exception for small amounts of income. Third, filing establishes a paper trail with the IRS showing your financial activity (or lack thereof) for 2023. This can be helpful if you're ever questioned about your income in future years. The process is straightforward: you'd file Form 1040 with Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses) and Form 8949 (Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets) to report your investment losses. Most free tax software can handle this easily, and since you won't owe any taxes, there's no cost to file electronically. Bottom line: file the return, claim those losses, and set yourself up for future tax benefits when you're working again.

Is anyone else annoyed that tax software asks for stuff that isn't clearly marked on our forms? I've been dealing with this for years and it feels intentional - like they want to confuse us into paying for their deluxe versions or support.

I totally understand your frustration - I had the exact same issue last year with TurboTax asking for a "State ID number" that I couldn't find anywhere on my 1099-B. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like the consensus is that this is your broker's state tax identification number, and if there's no state tax withheld (which shows as $0 on your form), you can usually leave that field blank. What helped me was calling my broker directly - they were able to tell me right away whether they had a state ID number for my state and whether it was needed for my specific situation. Most customer service reps at brokerages are familiar with this question since it comes up during tax season. The good news is that even if you accidentally leave it blank when it should be filled in, or vice versa, it's not likely to cause major issues with your return. The IRS is mainly concerned with the actual income amounts and any withholding, not so much the administrative ID numbers.