Another thing to watch out for - make sure you're using the CURRENT list of approved IRS delivery services. They updated the list in 2023 and removed some services that were previously accepted. I learned this the hard way when my accountant used an outdated list and my filing was considered late even though we thought we were following the rules.

One thing nobody's mentioned - if you're e-filing, none of this matters! I switched to e-filing years ago and it's so much easier. You get immediate confirmation that your return was received and don't have to worry about delivery services at all.

looks like a normal return tbh. ur getting back over 6k, thats a W

Just wanted to add some clarity on that code 971 notice - it's typically an automated notice that gets generated when your return is processed, especially if there are credits involved like EIC or Child Tax Credit. Since yours was issued the same day as processing (02-24-2025), it's likely just a standard CP12 or similar notice confirming your refund amount and breakdown. Nothing to stress about! Your transcript looks clean and you should expect that $6,122 refund soon. The processing date of Feb 24th means you filed early and should get your money faster than most people.

Anyone know which tax software can actually handle 8858 and 5471 properly for dual status aliens? I tried TurboTax and it's completely confused by my situation.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I moved from the UK in August and had to deal with my foreign LLC income. The key thing to understand is that Forms 8858 and 5471 are information returns that report the full calendar year activity of your foreign entity, regardless of when you became a US resident. However, for your actual tax liability on Form 1040, you'll only include income from the date you became a US resident forward. So if you became a resident in June, you'd report income from June through December on your US return, even though the 8858/5471 covers the full year. The tricky part is the dual-status return filing. You'll need to file both Form 1040 (for your resident period) and Form 1040NR (for your non-resident period), with a clear statement explaining how you allocated the income. I recommend calculating this on a daily basis - if you received $60,000 total income and were a resident for 214 days out of 365, you'd report approximately $35,000 on your US return. Don't forget about the potential penalties for late filing of these forms - they can be substantial even if no tax is owed. If you're unsure about any aspect, definitely consult with a tax professional who has experience with international forms.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions! I'm going to try the state portal option first since it's free, but it's good to know I have backup options with the tax software or taxr.ai if that gets too complicated. Really appreciate all the advice on handling the multiple state situation - definitely feeling less stressed about this now!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works in tax preparation - when you file state-only returns after already submitting your federal, double-check that your federal AGI matches exactly what you're reporting on your state forms. Even small discrepancies can trigger correspondence from the state. Also, since you moved between Colorado and Arizona mid-year, you'll want to be extra careful about which state gets credit for which income periods. Colorado is particularly strict about this for people who move in/out during the tax year. Make sure you have documentation of your move date (lease agreements, job start date, etc.) in case either state questions your residency periods later. One more tip: if you end up owing money to either state, consider making the payment even before you file the return if possible. Both states charge interest and penalties from the original due date, not from when you actually file.

One thing nobody's mentioned - you should really update your W-4s for next year! Having a child affects your withholding calculations. If you're the lower income earner, updating your W-4 to claim the child will result in less tax being withheld throughout the year, giving you more in each paycheck rather than waiting for a refund.

With your income at $580k, you're definitely going to be phased out of the Child Tax Credit completely. The phaseout for single filers starts at $200,000 and you'd lose the entire credit well before your income level. Your wife at $35k would get the full $2,000 credit, so she should absolutely be the one claiming your child. Also worth noting - if your wife qualifies for Head of Household status (which she might if she's paying more than half the household costs for her and the child), that filing status comes with better tax brackets and a higher standard deduction than single. This could save her even more money beyond just the Child Tax Credit. Don't forget about the Child and Dependent Care Credit for your daycare expenses too! Same logic applies - it's also income-limited, so having your wife claim those expenses will likely result in a bigger benefit than if you tried to claim them.