Plot twist: the IRS is using our refunds to fund a secret space program 👽🛸

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Filed in March and still waiting. One thing that helped me was setting up an online account on the IRS website - sometimes it shows more detailed status info than the "Where's My Refund" tool. Also, if you have a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center nearby, you might be able to walk in for help (though call first to check if appointments are needed). The wait times are brutal, but don't give up! Your refund is out there somewhere in the system.

I'm in a similar situation - filed electronically on April 8th and still waiting! It's so frustrating seeing the "still processing" message every time I check. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the delays are really common this year, especially if you claimed credits like the Child Tax Credit (which I did too). I'm going to try checking my transcript online like others suggested - seems like that gives more detailed info than the Where's My Refund tool. The 21-day processing time they advertise is clearly not realistic right now. Hang in there, hopefully we'll both see some movement soon! 🤞

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed on April 12th and it's been radio silence from the IRS ever since. The "Where's My Refund" tool has been stuck on "still processing" for months now. It's really frustrating not knowing what's going on or if there's even an issue with my return. Reading through everyone's responses here has been super helpful though - sounds like the transcript is definitely the way to go for actual information. I had no idea that claiming the Child Tax Credit could cause such long delays, but that explains a lot since I claimed it for my daughter. Thanks for posting this question - at least now I know I'm not alone in this waiting game! Going to try accessing my transcript tonight and see if that gives me any clues about what's happening behind the scenes.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation where I provide care for my elderly father and do a lot of driving for his medical needs. One thing I learned from my accountant that might be useful - if your partner is classified as self-employed for PCA work, she should also consider setting up a separate business bank account for all PCA-related expenses, including vehicle costs. This makes record-keeping much cleaner and provides better documentation if you're ever audited. Also, don't forget that if you do go the actual expense method route, you can deduct things like car washes if the vehicle is used primarily for business - my accountant said keeping the car clean and presentable is considered a legitimate business expense for client-facing services. Just make sure to keep receipts and note the business purpose!

One important thing to keep in mind - if your partner is receiving 1099s for PCA work, she'll also need to pay self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on that income, which is about 15.3% on top of regular income tax. The vehicle deductions can help offset some of this burden, but it's something to factor into your overall tax planning. Also, I'd suggest keeping a simple spreadsheet or notebook in the car specifically for logging business trips. Include date, starting location, destination, purpose of trip, and mileage for each business-related drive. The IRS likes to see contemporaneous records (meaning recorded at the time, not recreated later), so having this habit from the start will save you headaches if you're ever questioned about the deductions. If you do decide to purchase a new vehicle, consider looking at hybrids or electric vehicles - there may be additional tax credits available that could further offset your costs, especially if the vehicle qualifies for federal EV credits.

Anyone know which form I need to use for reporting US-source FDAP income? Is it just part of the regular 1040-NR or is there some special schedule?

This is a great discussion that covers the key points really well! Just wanted to add one more consideration for non-resident aliens dealing with FDAP income - don't forget about the substantial presence test if you've been in the US for an extended period. Even if you're on a work visa and consider yourself a non-resident alien, if you meet the substantial presence test (generally 183+ days over a 3-year period with specific weighting), you might actually be considered a resident alien for tax purposes. This would completely change your reporting requirements - you'd then need to report worldwide income, not just US-source FDAP. The good news is there are exceptions and tie-breaker rules, especially if you have a closer connection to your home country. But it's definitely worth checking if you've been in the US for substantial periods across multiple years.

Has anyone taken the exams recently? I'm trying to decide whether to use Surgent or Fast Forward Academy. Also wondering about the best order to take the parts - I've heard mixed advice about starting with Part 1 vs. Part 3.

I just passed all three parts of the SEE exam in December and wanted to share my experience as someone who also came from a non-tax background. The key is definitely having a structured study plan and not trying to rush through the material. I used a combination of Gleim for the comprehensive coverage and supplemented with YouTube channels like "The Tax Geek" for visual explanations of complex concepts. What really helped me was creating my own summary notes for each major topic - the act of writing things down in my own words helped me retain the information better. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: don't skip the ethics and representation material in Part 3. It's easy to think it's just common sense, but there are very specific rules about client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and IRS procedures that you need to memorize exactly as written in Circular 230. Also, schedule your exams strategically - I took Part 1 in August, Part 2 in October, and Part 3 in December. This gave me time to really absorb each section without feeling overwhelmed. Good luck with your career change - it's totally doable with the right preparation!