Just to add another perspective as someone who went through this exact process last year - the FINCEN 105 really is just a one-time customs declaration and you're done with it once you file it at entry. The confusion often comes from the similar names of all these international reporting forms. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: keep a copy of your completed FINCEN 105 form with your tax records. While it doesn't go on your tax return, having documentation that you properly declared the funds can be helpful if you ever get questions about large deposits in your US bank accounts later. Banks sometimes flag large cash deposits, and being able to show you properly declared it at customs can smooth things over. Also, since you mentioned your tax situation is already complicated with foreign income - make sure you're claiming all eligible foreign tax credits. Many people miss deductions they're entitled to when dealing with multiple countries' tax systems.

I went through something very similar when I returned from working in Canada for 4 years. The key thing to understand is that the FINCEN 105 is purely a customs/border security requirement - it has nothing to do with your taxes directly. Since you've been filing US tax returns all along while abroad, you've likely already reported the income that became these savings in previous years (either as foreign earned income or after applying foreign tax credits). The physical act of bringing the money into the US doesn't create a new taxable event. However, don't forget about the ongoing FBAR requirement if you still have foreign accounts. Even after moving back, if you had signature authority over foreign accounts totaling $10,000+ at any point during the tax year, you still need to file the FBAR by April 15th (with automatic extension to October 15th). One practical tip: when you deposit that $16K into your US bank account, consider doing it in smaller amounts over a few weeks rather than all at once. While there's nothing illegal about depositing the full amount, banks are required to report cash deposits over $10K, and spreading it out can avoid unnecessary paperwork and potential delays in accessing your funds.

has anyone compared the freetaxusa pdf import with h&r block's import? i've been using h&r block for years but their prices keep going up every year. wondering if it's worth switching just for the cost savings.

I made the switch from TaxAct to FreeTaxUSA this year too and had almost the exact same experience! The PDF import really is a game-changer - I was dreading having to re-enter all my investment accounts and rental property details, but it pulled in way more than I expected. One tip for anyone considering the switch: make sure you have your complete tax return PDF saved, not just the summary pages. I initially tried importing a shortened version and it only got basic info, but when I uploaded the full return with all schedules attached, it grabbed practically everything including my Schedule E rental details and all the 1099 information. The interface being cleaner is such a bonus too. I didn't realize how cluttered and confusing TaxAct had become until I experienced FreeTaxUSA's straightforward workflow. Definitely wish I'd switched sooner!

Has anyone successfully gotten this fixed going forward without getting HR involved? My company's HR is outsourced and practically impossible to reach.

I went through this exact same issue about 6 months ago! What worked for me was being very persistent with documentation. I created a folder with: 1. Screenshots of all my paystubs showing the incorrect local tax withholding 2. My lease agreement proving my home address 3. Photos of my home office setup with timestamps 4. A letter from my manager confirming I'm 100% remote The key was making it crystal clear that this wasn't just a temporary work-from-home situation - I was hired as a remote employee and have never worked from their office location. When I presented all this to HR, they couldn't really argue with the documentation. They fixed my withholding within two pay periods. For the back taxes, I had to file a non-resident return with the city that had been collecting my taxes incorrectly, but I got about $1,400 back within 8 weeks. Pro tip: If your HR pushes back, ask them to show you the specific tax law or company policy that requires withholding taxes for a location where you don't physically work. Most of the time they can't produce anything because there isn't a valid legal basis for it.

Does anyone know if states tax scholarships differently than the federal government? I'm in California and wondering if I need to report my scholarship on my state return too??

Hey Chloe! I totally understand your stress - I went through the exact same panic when I first learned about scholarship taxation. The good news is that it's not as scary as it initially seems once you understand the rules. For your $32,000 scholarship and $8,500 research grant, you'll want to gather all your documentation: your 1098-T form from the school, financial aid award letters, and receipts for qualified expenses like books and required supplies. The key is determining what your actual qualified educational expenses were. If your tuition was $25,000 and you spent $2,000 on required books and supplies, then $27,000 of your total $40,500 would be tax-free. The remaining $13,500 would be taxable income. Since this is a research grant, pay special attention to whether you're required to perform any services (teaching, research work, etc.) as a condition of receiving it. If so, that portion is typically fully taxable regardless of how you use the money. Don't forget to keep detailed records of all your educational expenses - the IRS may ask for documentation if they have questions about your return. And consider setting aside about 20% of any taxable portion for taxes to avoid surprises next April!

I just went through this EXACT situation last month and I was SO STRESSED waiting! 😫 My appointment was March 4th, transcript updated March 10th showing verification complete, and my refund hit my account March 18th. So exactly 2 weeks from appointment to money. The waiting was torture but the appointment itself was quick and easy. Just make sure you bring EVERYTHING they ask for - I saw someone get turned away because they didn't have their social security card. Good luck!!! 🍀

Hey Liam! I went through identity verification just two months ago and I totally understand the anxiety of waiting! 😅 My timeline was pretty typical - had my appointment on a Tuesday, transcript updated the following Monday showing verification complete, and got my direct deposit exactly 12 days later. One tip that really helped me stay sane during the wait: set up text alerts with your bank so you know the moment your refund hits. I was checking my account obsessively until I did that! Also, resist the urge to call the IRS during those first two weeks - they'll just tell you to wait since verification processing takes time. The appointment itself was super straightforward. They just verified my documents and that was it - took maybe 20 minutes total. You're so close to getting this resolved! 🎉