Just a heads up about the cars - while they're not a tax issue like others said, make sure you properly transfer the titles! My brother "took" my mom's car without formally transferring the title, then got in an accident 6 months later. Since the car was still technically part of the estate, it created a legal nightmare with insurance.

Going through this as an executor myself right now, so I really feel for you! One thing that helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking what income belonged to mom personally (up to date of death) versus what the estate earned afterward. For the $600 threshold on Form 1041 - that's GROSS income, not net. So even if your estate account doesn't earn interest, if there are any other income sources (like final dividend payments that came in after death, or rent from the house if anyone's living there), those count toward the $600. Also, since you mentioned the house hasn't sold yet - if you're paying property taxes, insurance, or utilities on it from estate funds, keep good records. Those are deductible expenses on the 1041 if you do end up having to file. The good news is it sounds like you've handled the beneficiary designations correctly, which is where a lot of people mess up. Just make sure you have documentation of the date-of-death values for everything, especially that house, before you sell it!

Quick tip: document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of ur USCIS account, save confirmation emails, keep copies of everything u submit. Trust me on this one lol

Just went through this exact situation last year! Your US-born baby automatically qualifies you for CTC regardless of your work permit status. The key is that you're maintaining legal status through your pending extension. I'd recommend calling the IRS taxpayer advocate service if you run into any issues - they're super helpful with immigration-related tax questions. Also keep your USCIS case receipt number handy when filing!

I've been busking with my acoustic guitar for about 2 years now and went through this exact same confusion! One thing that really helped me was setting up a simple spreadsheet to track everything - date, location, total tips, how much was cash vs electronic, and any expenses that day (like gas to get there, new strings, etc.). For the Venmo/PayPal reporting, just remember that even if you don't get a 1099-K form, you still need to report the income. I actually got my first 1099-K last year when I hit around $2,800 through the apps, but I'd been reporting and paying taxes on my busking income since I started. The self-employment tax does hurt a bit, but don't forget about deductions! I deduct instrument maintenance, transportation costs to my regular spots, even part of my phone bill since I use it to accept payments. Keep all your receipts - they add up faster than you think. Good luck with your music!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm also a street musician (mandolin and vocals) and had no idea about the $600 threshold change for 1099-K forms. I've been putting off dealing with taxes because it seemed so complicated, but reading everyone's experiences makes it feel more manageable. One question - do any of you set up separate Venmo/PayPal accounts specifically for busking, or do you just use your personal accounts? I'm wondering if having a dedicated account would make tracking easier, especially since I also use these apps for personal stuff like splitting dinner bills with friends. Don't want to accidentally report my roommate paying me back for groceries as business income! Also really appreciate the tip about keeping a performance log with specific locations. I never thought about tracking which spots are more profitable, but that's brilliant from both a business and tax perspective.

Can someone explain why they take so much longer to issue 1042S forms compared to 1099s? My American friends all have their tax documents already but I'm still waiting for my 1042S from two different banks. Is this normal?

Just to add another perspective - if you're feeling overwhelmed by all this, don't hesitate to reach out to your company's HR or payroll department if you work for a larger employer. Many companies that sponsor H1B visas have dealt with these exact situations before and may have resources or recommendations for tax professionals who specialize in non-resident issues. Also, keep in mind that even though you're getting a 1042S now, you should still report ALL your US-source income on your tax return, including any amounts that had tax withheld. The 1042S will show both the income earned and the tax already withheld, which you'll need to claim as a credit against any taxes owed. One more tip: if this is your first year receiving a 1042S, consider doing a mid-year tax projection once you file to see if you need to make estimated tax payments going forward, especially if you have other income sources that don't have withholding.

Has anyone actually gotten a 1099k from paypal for under the 20k threshold? Im so confused because i keep hearing different things.

Just wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar boat last year. I received about $2,800 through various payment apps from friends and family - mostly splitting dinner bills, concert tickets, and my sister paying me back for mom's birthday gift. I was really stressed about it until I talked to a tax professional who explained that the current threshold is still $20,000 AND 200+ transactions, so most people won't even get a 1099-K. But even if you do get one, personal transfers between friends and family aren't taxable income. The key thing is being able to explain what the transfers were for if asked. I started keeping a simple note in my phone whenever someone sends me money over $50 - just "Sarah - her half of concert tickets $85" or "Mom reimbursement - groceries $120." Takes 10 seconds and gives me peace of mind. Don't stress too much about past transactions if they were genuinely personal. The IRS isn't trying to tax you on your friends paying you back for pizza!