Has anyone actually successfully filed a superseding return electronically? I'm seeing mixed info here. The IRS publication says superseding returns can be filed electronically but it sounds like the Free File system might reject it as a duplicate filing anyway?

I actually went through this exact situation last year with Free File fillable forms. Here's what I learned from experience: The Free File fillable forms system will almost certainly reject your superseding return electronically because their duplicate detection system can't distinguish between a duplicate filing error and an intentional superseding return. The system just sees that you've already filed and blocks it. What worked for me was using the Free File fillable forms to prepare my superseding return completely, then printing it out and mailing it. The key steps are: 1. Complete your entire corrected return in Free File fillable forms 2. Print the complete return (all forms and schedules) 3. Write "SUPERSEDING RETURN" in red ink at the very top of Form 1040 4. Mail it to the processing center for your state before the deadline (including extensions) Make sure you include ALL the same forms and schedules as your original return, even if they didn't change. The superseding return completely replaces your original filing, so it needs to be complete. One important note - if you're expecting a larger refund, the IRS will typically send you the difference. If you owe more, you'll need to pay the additional amount. The superseding return essentially cancels out your original return as if it never existed. The postmark date is what counts for meeting the deadline, not when the IRS processes it, so don't wait too long to mail it if you're getting close to April 15th!

Has anyone else had this issue with the residency calculator in TurboTax? I entered all my info (F1 status, dates, etc) and it told me I was a full-year resident even though I only hit the substantial presence test in September. When I tried H&R Block instead, it said I was dual-status. Super confused now!

I went through the exact same confusion last year! The key thing to understand is that when you become a tax resident mid-year due to the substantial presence test, you have two options: 1. **Dual-status filing**: You're a nonresident for Jan 1 - May 14, then a resident for May 15 - Dec 31. You'd file Form 1040NR for the nonresident portion and Form 1040 for the resident portion. 2. **First-Year Choice election**: You can elect to be treated as a full-year resident, which lets you file just one Form 1040 and take the standard deduction. The reason you're seeing conflicting information is that different sources emphasize different options. Your university software is probably assuming you'd benefit from the First-Year Choice election (which is often true for students), while other sites are giving you the default dual-status rule. For the Social Security taxes, that's separate from income tax residency - once your 5-year F1 exemption expires, you owe Social Security taxes on ALL wages earned after that date, regardless of which filing status you choose. I'd suggest running the numbers both ways to see which gives you a better outcome. The First-Year Choice usually works better if you have significant income throughout the year and want to take the standard deduction, but dual-status might be better if you have large scholarship amounts that qualify for treaty benefits during the nonresident period.

Try contacting your local taxpayer advocate service. They helped me bypass the whole phone nightmare

I had the exact same issue last month! The TPP phone line is absolutely swamped right now. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. **Early morning calls**: Call at exactly 7:00 AM your local time. Set multiple alarms if needed. The wait times are shortest right when they open. 2. **Local IRS office**: This was my lifesaver. Go to irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office and find your nearest Taxpayer Assistance Center. You can walk in with your ID and they'll verify you on the spot. Way faster than waiting for mail or playing phone tag. 3. **Taxpayer Advocate Service**: If you've been waiting over 30 days total, contact them. They can expedite your case and bypass some of the normal waiting periods. The verification process is frustrating but it's there to protect you from identity theft. Don't give up - you'll get through it! The in-person route saved me about 3 weeks of waiting.

Anyone else notice the website is always down for maintenance on Sunday nights? 🤔

Same boat here! Filed 3 weeks ago and still stuck on "processing." Thanks for the tip about checking in the morning @Kendrick Webb - definitely gonna stop my hourly refresh habit lol. The waiting game is brutal but at least we're all suffering together 😅

Has anyone actually gone through an IRS audit with this situation? I'm worried about taking this approach and then getting flagged for audit because the IRS system doesn't understand what I'm trying to do. I mean, technically we're following the rules, but it seems like we're doing something the forms weren't designed for. Just wondering if anyone has real experience with how the IRS handles this in practice.

I've been following this discussion with great interest since I'm in a very similar situation as an expat with capital loss carryforwards. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like there are multiple valid approaches, but they all require very careful documentation. One thing I'm noticing is that everyone seems to agree on the importance of creating a clear paper trail with detailed statements attached to your returns. Whether you use the tax benefit rule approach that Lydia mentioned, or preserve the full loss with an explanatory statement like others have suggested, the key seems to be transparency with the IRS about what you're doing and why. I'm leaning toward calling the IRS directly using that Claimyr service several people mentioned to get official guidance for my specific situation. It seems like getting confirmation directly from an IRS agent would give me the most confidence in whatever approach I choose. Has anyone found specific IRS publications or guidance documents that address this scenario? I'd love to have some official written guidance to reference in addition to the verbal confirmation from phone calls.