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Don't panic! I had the exact same issue with Cashapp and IDEX stock last year. If your total gain was only $340, then Cash App probably didn't meet the threshold for sending you a 1099-B. I called their support and they confirmed they only send forms if your trades exceed certain amounts. What I did was create my own makeshift "1099" using my transaction history from the app. I calculated: - Initial investment (purchase price Γ number of shares) - Final sale amount - The difference (my capital gain) Then I reported it on Form 8949 with Box C checked (for transactions without a 1099-B). The IRS never questioned it and my return was processed normally.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really reassuring to hear. Did you have to attach any supporting documentation from your Cash App account when you filed, or did you just fill out the form with your calculated numbers?
I just filled out the form with my calculated numbers, no need to attach the Cash App documentation to your tax return. However, I did save PDF screenshots of all my purchase and sale confirmations in case I ever get audited. The key is making sure your calculations are accurate. Double-check your math and be sure to include any fees in your cost basis. As long as you're reporting everything properly and paying the correct tax, the IRS is generally fine with self-reported stock transactions when a 1099 wasn't issued.
Quick tip from someone who works in tax prep - even if you don't receive a 1099, the IRS probably will. Financial institutions send copies of all 1099s to the IRS, even if they don't meet the threshold to send one to you. So definitely report your stock sales accurately!
Wait that's confusing. So Cash App might send the info to the IRS but not to the user? How are we supposed to match their numbers exactly if we don't see what they reported?
That's a great point! The reporting thresholds can be different for what gets sent to taxpayers versus what gets sent to the IRS. Generally, if you calculate your gains/losses using your actual transaction records (like the OP has with their purchase and sale confirmations), your numbers should match what the broker reports to the IRS. The key is to be as accurate as possible with your calculations. Use the exact purchase price, sale price, and dates from your account history. If there are any discrepancies later, having your original transaction records will help resolve them. The IRS understands that sometimes taxpayers need to self-report when they don't receive forms, as long as you're making a good faith effort to report accurately.
Have you checked if your broker has a portal specifically for tax documents? I use Charles Schwab International and they automatically generate the Form 1042-S I need for my country (Germany). It's usually available by March in the "Tax Documents" section of the account. Also, a tip that saved me a lot of headache: make sure to submit your W-8BEN form BEFORE receiving any dividends next time! I set a calendar reminder to renew mine every 3 years so I don't forget.
I use a smaller European broker (not one of the big international ones), and their tax documents section just has general statements that show "tax withheld" without specifying it was sent to the IRS. That's why I need something more official. Thanks for the reminder about the W-8BEN though. I've definitely learned my lesson and already submitted it for future dividends!
That makes sense - smaller brokers often don't provide the detailed documentation needed for international tax situations. In that case, I'd definitely follow the advice about requesting the Form 1042-S specifically. One other thing that might help: ask your broker for their "withholding statement" or "withholding certificate" in addition to the 1042-S. Some European tax authorities accept this as proof, especially if it clearly shows the country where the tax was paid. It's worth having both documents to submit with your Portuguese tax return just to be safe.
A bit off-topic, but for future reference - if you invest through certain EU brokers that have proper tax treaty implementation processes, they'll automatically withhold at the correct treaty rate (15% for Portugal) if you have your W-8BEN on file. I switched to IBKR specifically for this reason after having the exact same problem with my previous broker. Also, for Portuguese tax filing - make sure to include the foreign income in Anexo J of your IRS declaration. The Portuguese finanΓ§as can be very picky about how foreign tax credits are claimed!
I've been looking into IBKR for investing in US stocks. Do they automatically apply the correct treaty rates for all countries? And do they provide all the documentation needed for tax time without having to make special requests?
Yes, IBKR automatically applies treaty rates for most countries as long as you have a valid W-8BEN on file with them. They're one of the best brokers for this because they have proper systems in place to handle international tax treaties. For documentation, they provide comprehensive year-end statements that break down all withholding by country and source. They also generate Form 1042-S automatically for non-US clients who receive US-source income. You can access all of these through their Client Portal under the "Tax Documents" section. The main advantage is that you won't face the double taxation issue that @Isabella Ferreira is dealing with, since the correct amount is withheld from the start. Just make sure to submit your W-8BEN before your first dividend payment!
I went through this exact same situation last year! The 570/971 combo is frustrating but pretty standard - it just means they're doing some kind of verification review. Since your math is perfect and you filed early, it's likely just a random audit or income verification check. The good news is your transcript shows everything processed normally on 4/17, so you're definitely getting that $8,368 refund - it's just a matter of when. The 971 notice should arrive soon and tell you exactly what they need. In my case, it was just identity verification and took about 6 weeks total once I responded to their letter. Pro tip: keep checking your transcript weekly for updates. Once you see the 570 code reverse (showing as a negative amount), your refund should be released within a few days. Hang in there!
Better question is do you qualify for HOH? Make sure you meet all requirements - supporting someone, paying more than half household costs, unmarried etc
yep I checked all the boxes! supporting my kid and paying everything
Just to add to what others have said - the IRS cares about your actual residence, not your ID address. But definitely keep good records like lease agreements, utility bills, bank statements showing your address, etc. If you get audited, you'll need to prove you maintained the household at that address for more than half the year. The documentation is way more important than what's printed on your license!
Donna Cline
Don't forget to check if this affects your eligibility for premium tax credits if you purchased health insurance through the marketplace! If your employer offered this QSEHRA benefit, it might impact your subsidy calculations.
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Harper Collins
β’This is important! The QSEHRA benefit can affect your premium tax credit, but it doesn't necessarily disqualify you. You need to report the QSEHRA on your taxes when calculating your PTC.
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QuantumQuasar
I'm a tax preparer and see this confusion about FF codes pretty frequently. The $2,400 represents the annual limit your employer made available through their QSEHRA plan, not an amount you received or owe taxes on. This is purely informational for tax purposes. Here's what you should do: 1) Ask your employer for the QSEHRA plan documents and claims submission process, 2) Gather any medical expenses you paid out-of-pocket in 2024 (doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, vision, etc.), and 3) Submit eligible expenses for reimbursement before any plan deadline. The fact that your employer and their payroll company seem unaware of this benefit is a red flag. Someone authorized this setup - possibly as part of a benefits package upgrade they didn't fully understand. Don't let their confusion cost you money you're entitled to claim back!
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