Has anyone actually received notices from the IRS about excess Roth IRA contributions? I'm in a similar situation (discovered I overcontributed by about $1,200 three years ago), but I'm wondering if the IRS even catches these things? Not trying to avoid paying what I owe, just curious if they actively look for this or if it's more of a "fix it if you realize it" situation.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - check if you might have been eligible for those contributions after all! I thought I had made excess Roth contributions for two years, but when I reviewed my tax returns more carefully, I realized my MAGI calculation was wrong. I had included some one-time items that shouldn't have been in the calculation, and I was actually under the limit for those years. Worth double-checking your MAGI calculation before going through the hassle of removing excess contributions. The definition of MAGI for Roth IRA purposes is pretty specific.

Has anyone actually been audited on this? What did the IRS actually accept as documentation? I haven't been keeping great records and I'm stressed about it.

Based on what I'm seeing here, it sounds like you're in a good position to benefit from the actual expense method given your high mileage and newer SUV. With 12,000 business miles out of 20,000 total (60% business use), you'd apply that percentage to all your vehicle expenses. Here's what I'd suggest for documentation: Start tracking now even if you haven't been perfect about it before. You don't need to log every single trip, but you do need enough records to prove that 60% business use. Since you're in sales visiting clients, your work calendar/appointment schedule could be really helpful here - note the mileage for client visits and use that pattern to establish your typical business driving. For a newer SUV with higher insurance costs, the actual expense method often beats the standard mileage rate (currently 67 cents per mile for 2024). Do the math both ways - 12,000 miles × $0.67 = $8,040 with standard mileage. If 60% of your actual car expenses (insurance, gas, maintenance, depreciation) exceeds $8,040, go with actual expenses. The key is starting good record-keeping habits now. Even if your past records aren't perfect, having solid documentation going forward will help if you're ever questioned about it.

Filed March 11th with Chime/Cross River and just got my deposit this morning! I was in the exact same boat as you - checking WMR obsessively and getting frustrated with the "still processing" message. What finally helped was getting my transcript from the IRS website (took a few tries to verify my identity but eventually worked). The transcript showed way more detail than WMR and had actual codes that explained what was happening. Mine had been sitting in a verification queue for nearly two weeks. The key thing I learned is that the 5-day early deposit only kicks in once the IRS actually releases the funds and sets a direct deposit date - Chime can't work magic if the IRS hasn't approved your return yet. Hang in there, it sounds like a lot of people who filed around the same time as us are finally getting their deposits this week!

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed March 9th with Chime/Cross River and still waiting. The "still processing" message on Where's My Refund is driving me crazy. I've been seeing a lot of people mention checking transcripts and using tools like taxr.ai to understand what's actually happening. I tried to get my transcript but couldn't verify my identity online either - so frustrating! It's a bit reassuring to see that others who filed around the same time are finally getting their deposits this week. Fingers crossed we're in the next batch! The waiting game is brutal when you're counting on that money.

did u claim any credits? that usually makes it take way longer

Ugh the waiting is the worst part! I'm in a similar situation - verified identity 3/10 and still showing N/A on transcripts. From what I've read, it can take anywhere from 2-9 weeks after verification depending on what credits you claimed and if there are any other flags. The fact that your WMR changed to "received and being processed" is actually a good sign though - means they're actively working on it. Hang in there! 🤞

As someone who went through this exact same situation a few years ago, I can share what worked for me. You're right that the US-Belgium tax treaty prevents double taxation, but as a US citizen, you'll still need to file with both countries. Here's my practical approach: First, establish your Belgian tax residency clearly (sounds like you already have this). Then file your Belgian taxes first since their deadline comes earlier. Belgium will tax your worldwide income, including your US client payments. For the US side, you'll file using Form 1040 and claim Foreign Tax Credits (Form 1116) for the taxes you paid to Belgium. Since Belgian tax rates are typically higher than US rates, you'll likely owe little to nothing to the IRS after applying these credits. Don't forget about FBAR reporting if your Belgian bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during the year - this is separate from your tax return but crucial for compliance. One thing that caught me off guard: make sure you're classifying your freelance work correctly on both returns. Belgium might view it differently than the US, so keep detailed records of your work arrangements and payment structures. For affordable professional help, look into expat tax specialists who offer flat-rate consultations. Many charge $200-400 for an initial review, which can save you thousands in mistakes or overpayment.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm a CPA who specializes in international tax situations, and I wanted to add a few key points that might help Paolo and others in similar situations. First, regarding the timing of payments - since you're freelancing with a US client, make sure you're making quarterly estimated tax payments to both countries if required. Belgium typically requires advance payments (voorafbetalingen/versements anticipés) if you owe more than €2,610, and the US requires quarterly estimates if you'll owe more than $1,000. Second, watch out for the "saving clause" in the US-Belgium treaty. While the treaty provides relief from double taxation, the US still reserves the right to tax its citizens on worldwide income. This means you can't completely escape US tax obligations through the treaty alone - you need to use domestic provisions like the Foreign Tax Credit or Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Finally, consider the implications of your business structure. If you're operating as a sole proprietorship in Belgium but the US might view your arrangement differently, this could affect how your income is characterized and taxed. Some freelancers benefit from incorporating in Belgium depending on their income levels and business circumstances. The tools and services mentioned in this thread (taxr.ai, Claimyr) can be helpful, but always verify any advice with qualified professionals familiar with both jurisdictions before making final decisions.