It's worth checking if your mom qualifies for the IRS Fresh Start program, especially since this debt is so old. With a proper financial statement (Form 433-F like someone mentioned), she might qualify for an Offer in Compromise where she pays less than the full amount owed. At her age and income level, the IRS might accept pennies on the dollar, especially for old tax debt. My mother owed about $35k, and we settled for around $3k through this program.

I went through almost the exact same situation with my grandmother two years ago - she had about $22k in back taxes from 2016-2017 that my late grandfather had mishandled. The language barrier and technology issues sound very familiar. Definitely go with Form 2848. The 8821 would just frustrate you because you'd be able to see the problem but couldn't do anything to fix it. With the 2848, you can negotiate directly with the IRS on her behalf. A few practical tips from my experience: First, gather ALL her IRS notices before filling out any forms - you'll need the complete picture. Second, when you file the 2848, also prepare Form 433-F right away. The IRS will likely ask for it during your first call anyway, and having her financial info ready will speed things up. For someone with $1800/month income and $28k in old tax debt, the IRS is usually quite reasonable about payment plans. We got my grandmother's payment reduced from $480/month to $75/month, and after a year they put her account in "Currently Not Collectible" status because of her age and limited income. One thing to be prepared for - they may ask about any assets she has, including her home equity. But at her age and income level, they're typically much more flexible than with younger taxpayers.

Quick heads up - make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them. The IRS is known for losing mail these days with all the backlogs their dealing with. And when you do mail it, use certified mail with tracking so you have proof they received it.

Also worth noting - if you owe additional taxes after submitting the 8962, you'll get a separate bill for that amount plus interest from your original filing date. But if you end up getting a larger refund, they'll send you the difference. The whole process is annoying but at least they do eventually sort it out once they have all your forms.

Has anyone used TurboTax or similar software to handle this kind of international situation? I'm in almost the exact same boat (moved to Germany in 2023, have US rental property) and wondering if regular tax software can handle the complexity or if I need something specialized.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation - moved to Germany in late 2023 and have been struggling with understanding how the tax treaty applies to my US rental income. From what I've researched, the key is that rental income from US property remains primarily taxable in the US under Article 6 of the treaty, but Germany will still include it in your worldwide income calculation. One thing I learned that might help: make sure you're properly calculating your German tax residency date. If you moved in September 2023, you likely became a German tax resident immediately upon arrival with intention to stay permanently. This affects how much of your 2023 income Germany will want to tax. For the rental property, you'll need to report it on both returns but can claim foreign tax credits to avoid double taxation. The German tax advisor's quote does seem excessive - I've seen quotes ranging from €800-1500 for similar complexity. Have you considered getting a second opinion from another German Steuerberater? Also, don't forget about depreciation on your rental property - you can claim it in both countries, which can significantly reduce your taxable rental income.

Just FYI if this helps anyone - I had the exact same question last year. If you use tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, they usually will ask you for the 5498-SA info but it's actually optional! As long as your W-2 has the contribution amount in box 12b, and you enter any 1099-SA info for distributions you took, the software will generate the Form 8889 correctly.

Sophie, I completely understand your frustration! HSA tax filing can be really confusing at first. The good news is that since your HSA contributions are already shown in box 12b of your W-2, you've got the main piece covered. Here's what you need to know: You don't "fill out" the 1099-SA or 5498-SA forms - these are informational documents that should be sent to you by your HSA provider. The 5498-SA shows your total contributions (which should match your W-2), and you'd only get a 1099-SA if you withdrew money from your HSA during 2024. What you DO need to complete is Form 8889, which goes with your tax return. This form reconciles all your HSA activity for the year. Even if you didn't take any withdrawals, you still need this form to properly report your contributions and confirm your eligibility. The process is actually pretty straightforward once you know what goes where. Don't stress too much - you've got all the information you need!

I think everyone's overlooking that the student loan forgiveness is only 2 years away. If I were in your shoes, I'd probly just focus on that short term goal. 2 years of missing Roth contributions isnt gonna destroy your retirement. Have you ran the actual numbers? $1100/month savings on student loans for 24 months = $26,400 saved. That's WAY more than 2 years of max Roth contributions ($6k x 2 = $12k). Just sayin, might be worth taking the hit on retirement contributions to get that sweet loan forgiveness.

This is such a common dilemma for married couples with student loans! I went through the exact same situation a few years ago. Here's what I learned from my research and experience: The $10k income limit for Roth IRA contributions when married filing separately is brutal, but there are definitely workarounds worth considering: 1. **Backdoor Roth IRA** - As mentioned by others, this is probably your best bet. You contribute to a traditional IRA (non-deductible) and immediately convert to Roth. No income limits on conversions. 2. **Maximize your employer 401k** - This isn't affected by filing status, and many plans now offer Roth 401k options too. 3. **HSA if available** - Triple tax advantage and can be used as retirement account after age 65. For the student loan piece - definitely run the numbers on the total savings vs. opportunity cost. But honestly, with only 2 years left until forgiveness and $1,100/month savings, that's probably the financially smart move short-term. One thing to consider: can you and your wife adjust withholdings or estimated payments to get closer to that $10k threshold for next year? Sometimes small tweaks to pre-tax contributions can help you stay under limits while still optimizing the overall strategy. The Solo 401k suggestion is brilliant if you have any 1099 income!