Has anyone had luck filing through something besides TurboTax? This is my 3rd year with refund delays using them and im starting to wonder if its part of the problem. Maybe direct filing with the IRS is better?

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed in early March and still nothing. One thing that really helped me was calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) at 1-877-777-4778. They're a separate division within the IRS that helps when you've been waiting an unreasonably long time for your refund. You qualify for their help if it's been more than 21 days since you e-filed and you haven't received your refund or any communication about why it's delayed. They can actually look into your specific case and sometimes get things moving faster than the regular IRS customer service. Also, if you're experiencing financial hardship because of the delay (like you mentioned with bills), make sure to tell them that when you call. They prioritize cases where people are facing real consequences from the delay. Worth a shot before trying some of the paid services others mentioned!

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! This has been incredibly helpful. Based on what I'm reading, it sounds like my original idea of buying $25K worth of stamps was way too aggressive and would likely raise red flags with the IRS. I think I'll stick closer to what Miguel and Zainab suggested - maybe buy 6-12 months worth at a time based on my actual usage patterns. Last year I spent about $10K on postage, so maybe I'll do a $5K bulk purchase of Forever stamps at the end of this year and track usage carefully. The storage concerns Miguel raised are definitely something I hadn't considered either. I live in Florida so humidity is always an issue - definitely don't want thousands of dollars worth of stamps getting ruined! Has anyone used a specific system or app to track stamp usage over time? I want to make sure I have good documentation in case of an audit.

Hey Isabella! For tracking stamp usage, I've found that keeping a simple log works best for audit purposes. I use a basic spreadsheet with columns for: Date Purchased, Quantity, Cost, Date Used, Order/Customer ID (if applicable), and Running Balance. The key thing the IRS wants to see is that you're using the stamps for legitimate business purposes, so I also note what type of shipment each stamp was used for (customer order, business correspondence, etc.). One tip from my accountant - take a photo of your stamp storage setup and keep it with your records. This shows you're properly maintaining the inventory and treating it as a business asset rather than just hoarding stamps as an investment. Since you're in Florida with the humidity concerns, definitely invest in some airtight containers with desiccant packets. I learned this the hard way when some of my stamps got sticky and unusable - had to write off about $200 worth as a loss, which was a pain to document properly for taxes! Your $5K purchase plan sounds much more reasonable than the original $25K idea. That should give you plenty of inventory without raising any red flags with the IRS.

Don't forget about Section 195 of the tax code! It specifically addresses business startup costs and says you can deduct up to $5k immediately in your first year, with any excess amortized over 15 years. For your band equipment, look into Section 179 deduction which might let you deduct the full cost in year 1 rather than depreciating.

Great thread! As someone who went through a similar transition with my freelance graphic design work, I wanted to add that you should also consider opening a separate business bank account if you haven't already. Even though you can deduct those pre-LLC expenses, having clear separation between personal and business finances moving forward will make future tax seasons much smoother. Also, don't overlook smaller expenses like music streaming services for reference/research, software subscriptions, or even mileage to and from the studio. These can add up quickly and are often forgotten when calculating deductions. Keep a detailed log of everything business-related from here on out - your future self will thank you! One last tip: consider quarterly estimated tax payments now that you're generating "actual money" as you put it. The IRS gets cranky when you owe too much at year-end, and as your income grows, you'll want to stay ahead of it.

Just want to add that even if you don't have to report the crypto gains on your US tax return, you should definitely be reporting them in Canada. The CRA (Canadian Revenue Agency) requires Canadian residents to report worldwide income, including all cryptocurrency transactions.

This is exactly the kind of situation where getting proper documentation is crucial. I went through something similar as an F-1 student from the UK with crypto gains. The consensus here is absolutely correct - as a non-resident alien, your crypto capital gains are sourced to your country of tax residency (Canada), not the US. This means you don't report them on your 1040-NR. Your CPA gave you the right advice. However, I'd strongly recommend getting this determination in writing somehow, whether through an official IRS consultation or at minimum keeping detailed records of your research and professional advice. The crypto tax landscape is still evolving, and having documentation of your reasoning will be invaluable if questions ever arise later. Also make sure you're keeping meticulous records of all your transactions for your Canadian tax filing - the CRA will definitely want to see those gains reported there since you're a Canadian tax resident.

Has anyone tried requesting penalty abatement through the IRS website or by mail instead of calling? I've been trying to get through on the phone for days with no luck.

Based on your situation, I'd strongly recommend trying for First Time Penalty Abatement first before going the reasonable cause route. Since you mentioned this is your first time ever being late and you've always been diligent about paying on time, you likely qualify automatically. The beauty of First Time Penalty Abatement is that you don't need to prove anything about the family emergency or bank account mix-up - they just check their records to confirm you have a clean compliance history for the past 3 years. If you qualify, they can remove the penalty right on the spot during your call. If for some reason you don't qualify for First Time Penalty Abatement, then you can fall back to the reasonable cause argument with all the details about your family situation and the honest mistake. But definitely start with the easier option first - just call and specifically ask "Do I qualify for First Time Penalty Abatement?" Given that this could save you $750, it's absolutely worth the phone call. And don't let the penalty stress you out too much - the IRS does have these provisions specifically for situations like yours where good taxpayers make honest mistakes.