This is exactly the kind of confusion I went through when I first became a tax resident! The key thing to remember is that even though you're getting a 1042-S, you're now filing as a US tax resident, so this interest gets treated just like any other US bank interest. For TaxSlayer specifically, you'll want to look for the "Interest and Dividend Income" section when you're going through the interview process. Just enter the $5.25 as interest income - you don't need to specify it came from a 1042-S form. The software will automatically put it on Schedule B if your total interest exceeds $1,500, or just include it in your total income if it's under that threshold. Also, since there was no federal tax withheld, you won't have any additional refund coming from this - it's just taxable income that gets added to your return. Keep the 1042-S with your tax records, but you don't need to attach it to your filing.

I had a similar situation a couple years ago when I transitioned from F-1 status to becoming a tax resident. The 1042-S forms can be really confusing at first! Since you're now a tax resident under the Substantial Presence Test, that $5.25 in interest income gets reported exactly like any other domestic bank interest. In TaxSlayer, you'll find this in the "Interest and Dividends" section during the interview process. Just enter it as regular interest income - no need to indicate it came from a 1042-S versus a regular 1099-INT. The reason you're getting a 1042-S instead of a 1099-INT is just because Bank of America still has you classified in their system as a foreign person from when you first opened the account. Once you update your tax status with them (bring a W-9 form and documentation of your current status), they should start issuing 1099-INTs going forward. Don't worry about this triggering any red flags with the IRS - they receive copies of all 1042-S forms and expect to see this income reported on your return. As long as you include that $5.25 in your interest income total, everything will match up perfectly in their systems.

Columbus TAC has limited walk-ins. Tuesdays best. Arrive by 8AM. Bring two forms of ID. Have all documents organized. Expect 3+ hour wait even if accepted. No guarantee you'll be seen. Better to call for appointment. No cell phones allowed inside. No food or drinks. Parking is $10 nearby. Security is strict about what you can bring in.

I had a very similar dependent verification issue last month and ended up going to the Columbus TAC as a walk-in. Here's what worked for me: I arrived at 7:45 AM on a Wednesday (before they officially opened) and was about 8th in line. They have a paper sign-in system now that starts around 8:15 AM. The triage staff member was actually quite helpful - she reviewed my documentation and determined my case could be handled that day. Total time was about 4 hours from arrival to resolution, but they completely sorted out my dependent verification and even helped me understand why the online system had rejected my documentation. Pro tip: bring snacks and a phone charger if you go this route, and make sure you have certified copies of birth certificates, not just regular photocopies. The staff really know their stuff once you get past the access barriers.

Just wanted to add that the W-7 ITIN process has changed a bit recently. The IRS is now being more strict about documentation verification. Sometimes one of those letters might be about acceptable ID verification methods if they couldn't verify from what you submitted initially. My brother got two letters - one was notification that they received his application, and the other (which came the same day) was a request for additional documentation. He almost missed the request because he assumed both letters were the same thing.

I went through this exact situation two years ago! Got two IRS letters while traveling abroad and was stressed about what they contained. Based on my experience and what others have shared here, you're likely looking at one letter with your actual ITIN assignment and another with instructions or confirmation. Here's what I'd recommend: Have your mail service scan at least one of the letters to see if there's any urgent action required. The privacy concern is understandable, but missing a potential 30-45 day deadline for additional documentation would be much worse than the temporary privacy risk. In my case, both letters were good news - ITIN approved and usage instructions. But I've heard of cases where one letter requests additional docs with a strict deadline. Since you're filing jointly as a nonresident alien spouse situation (same as mine was), these letters are probably routine processing communications, but better safe than sorry when you're stuck overseas. If you do get the scans and they're confusing, the AI tools others mentioned here like taxr.ai could help interpret the IRS language quickly without another privacy concern since you'd already have the digital copies.

everyone stressing bout codes n stuff meanwhile i'm still tryna figure out how to even get my transcript 💀

Just went through this same situation last month! Those codes are actually good signs - means your return is in the system and being processed. The 150 code is key because it shows they accepted your return. With PATH act, you're right that EITC and ACTC refunds get held until mid-February, but since we're past that now, you should see movement soon. I got mine about 10 days after my processing date updated. Hang in there!

Have you checked your mail carefully? They might have sent you a letter requesting additional information. My brother had his refund delayed for 9 months because they sent a verification letter that got lost in the mail, and he never knew they needed something from him until he finally got through to someone on the phone.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year - filed in March and didn't get my refund until the following January! After months of the generic "being processed" message, I finally called and discovered my return had been selected for identity verification. They had sent multiple letters to verify it was really me, but I never received a single one due to mail issues. The key is definitely calling them directly, even though it's a nightmare to get through. When I finally reached an agent, they were able to see all the notes on my account and exactly what was needed. In my case, I had to verify my identity online through their ID.me system and provide additional documentation. One tip: if you do call, ask them to check if there are any undelivered notices on your account. They can resend letters or sometimes handle verification over the phone. Also, make sure they have your current address - even if you think they do, double-check because sometimes returns get processed with old address information. Don't give up! That $6200 is yours and worth the hassle of getting through to them.