Going through EXACTLY this rn. Called TAS 3 times and got rejected each time. This system is beyond broken.

Same situation here! Got the TAS rejection last month and they gave me the same vague "wait 180 days" response. It's so frustrating not knowing what's actually happening. I've been checking my transcript obsessively but honestly can't make heads or tails of all those codes and dates. Really hoping that mystery letter actually shows up and explains something useful 🤞

Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block software for a situation like this? Wondering if they handle the 5074 form correctly or if this is really a "see a tax professional" situation?

I've dealt with similar territorial income issues and want to emphasize a few key points that might help: First, regarding the Copy A situation - this is actually more common than you'd think with territorial employers. While Copy B is what taxpayers should receive, having Copy A still allows you to report the income accurately. Just make sure to keep detailed records and consider attaching a brief explanation when you file. Second, since your parents moved mid-year from Guam to Nebraska, pay close attention to the "bona fide resident" test. Your mother, having lived in Guam since early 2021 until June 2023, would likely qualify as a bona fide resident for the portion of 2023 she was there. This affects how the income gets allocated on Form 5074. The key thing to remember is that ALL income (both W-2 and W-2GU) gets reported on the 1040, but Form 5074 determines which portion Guam gets to tax versus the US. Since you're paper filing anyway due to Form 5074, take advantage of this to include any explanatory statements about the Copy A situation or other documentation issues. Given the complexity here, especially with the mid-year move and mixed residency status, this might be worth consulting with a tax professional who has experience with territorial tax issues. The cost could easily pay for itself by avoiding potential errors or missed opportunities for tax savings.

Did you check if your country has a tax treaty with the US? Many countries do, and as an international student, you might qualify for a reduced withholding rate or even exemption on certain types of income including interest. If you're eligible for a treaty benefit but the bank withheld at 30%, you'd actually get money back by amending.

As someone who went through a similar situation, I'd strongly recommend filing the amended return even though the amount seems relatively small. Here's why: First, regarding your specific situation - $175 in interest income is definitely reportable, and since you're on an F1 visa, maintaining perfect tax compliance is crucial for your immigration status. The IRS may not actively pursue small discrepancies, but having complete documentation protects you if questions ever arise. Second, you should definitely check your country's tax treaty with the US. Many countries have treaties that reduce the withholding rate on interest income from 30% to 15% or even 0% for students. If your country has such a treaty and you qualify, you could get a significant portion of that $52 withholding back as a refund when you amend. For the amendment process, I'd suggest trying these options in order: 1. Contact your university's VITA program first - many maintain year-round services for international students 2. If VITA isn't available, the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers can help with amendments 3. Consider using tax software designed for amendments if you're comfortable doing it yourself Don't stress too much about the timing - you have up to 3 years to amend, and there are no penalties for filing an amendment that results in additional refund. The key is getting it done properly to maintain your compliance record.

A practical consideration for the piano situation - make sure the donors understand that what the church ultimately sells it for may be very different from the appraised value they deduct. We had a wealthy member donate artwork that was appraised at $18,000 but when our church tried to sell it, the best offer we got was $7,500. The donor was upset because they felt we didn't try hard enough or "gave it away" too cheaply, even though we worked with two different art dealers. The reality is that appraisals often reflect retail replacement value, not what you'll get in a quick sale. This created tension when the donor saw the Form 8282 showing the much lower sale price. Make sure expectations are managed upfront about this possibility!

As someone who's handled several large asset donations at our church, I'd add one more important consideration - transportation and storage logistics. A grand piano isn't something you can just pick up in a pickup truck! Make sure you have a plan for how the piano will be moved from the donors' home to either your church or directly to the buyer. Professional piano movers can cost $300-800 depending on distance and difficulty of the move. Also consider where you'll store it if it doesn't sell immediately - pianos need climate-controlled environments to maintain their condition and value. We learned this lesson when we accepted a donated organ that required professional rigging equipment to remove from a second-floor location. The moving costs ate into our fundraising proceeds significantly. It might be worth getting quotes for piano moving services before finalizing the donation, so you can factor those costs into your fundraising projections. The tax advice others have given is spot-on - just wanted to add this practical element since it can impact the actual benefit to your youth mission fund!

Quick question for those who've passed - which part of the EA exam did you find most challenging? I'm trying to decide which order to take them in and how to allocate my study time over the next few months.

As someone who just passed all three parts of the EA exam while working full-time, I wanted to add my perspective on realistic timelines and study strategies. Three months is definitely achievable, especially with your tax background. I managed it in about 3.5 months working 40+ hours weekly. The key is being strategic about your study schedule - I found that studying in shorter, focused sessions (45-60 minutes) was more effective than marathon study sessions when I was already mentally drained from work. For study materials, I used a combination approach. Gleim was my primary resource for comprehensive coverage and practice questions. But I also supplemented with free resources like the IRS's own publications - Publication 17 for individual taxes and Publication 334 for business taxes. These are dry but authoritative and helped fill gaps in my understanding. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of simulating actual exam conditions during practice. The EA exam is computerized and timed, so I made sure to take full-length practice exams under similar conditions. This helped with both content knowledge and time management. Also, don't underestimate the value of forming a study group or finding an accountability partner. Even if it's just virtual check-ins with fellow EA candidates, having that support system really helped me stay motivated during the tough weeks. Good luck with your preparation! The certification is absolutely worth the effort.