Something else to consider - the company might send you a 1099-MISC for the gift card instead of including it on your W-2. My company did this when I won a TV in a company raffle. If you get a 1099-MISC, you'll report it differently than if it's on your W-2. Just keep an eye out for all tax forms before filing.

One more thing - even if you don't get any form from your employer documenting the gift card, you're still legally required to report it as income. The IRS considers all prizes and awards as taxable income unless they're very specific exceptions (which a workplace raffle isn't).

Pro tip for next year: NEVER agree to have fees taken out of your refund. They don't make it obvious, but you're basically taking out a high-interest loan. The convenience fee for Refund Transfer is usually $40-$70 just to get your own money a few days faster. Always pay for tax prep upfront if possible!

This exact same thing happened to me two years ago and I panicked thinking someone had stolen my refund! The MetaBank thing is totally legitimate - it's just H&R Block's way of handling the Refund Transfer service. What helped me was logging into my H&R Block online account where they actually show you a timeline of when the IRS deposits to MetaBank, when H&R Block takes their fees, and when the remaining amount gets sent to your real bank account. Usually takes about a week total once the IRS releases your refund. You should be getting an email from H&R Block with tracking info too if you haven't already.

Instead of trying to navigate this alone, check if your university has an International Student Office or tax assistance program. Most major universities offer free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs specifically trained to help international students. Also, the IRS has Publication 519 (U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens) which covers all the specific rules for students. It's dense reading but comprehensive. If your university doesn't offer help, consider reaching out to student organizations for international students - they often organize tax workshops with experts during filing season.

As someone who went through this exact confusion a few years ago, I completely understand your frustration! The key thing to remember is that your tax obligations depend heavily on your visa type and how long you've been in the US. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I started: First, determine if you're a resident or nonresident alien for tax purposes using the Substantial Presence Test (students get special exemptions). Most F-1 students are considered nonresident aliens for their first 5 calendar years. If you're a nonresident alien, you'll need Form 8843 (required even with no income) and possibly Form 1040-NR if you have US income. The good news is that many universities offer free tax preparation help through VITA programs specifically for international students. For scholarships, the general rule is: amounts used for tuition, fees, and required books are usually tax-free, but money for room, board, or living expenses is typically taxable. Your university should have sent you a 1098-T form showing what they paid on your behalf. Don't feel bad about being confused - the intersection of immigration and tax law is genuinely complex! I'd strongly recommend visiting your university's international student office or tax assistance program before trying to file on your own.

has anyone else noticed that the withholding is higher at the start of the year after you hit the social security cap? my commission checks in Jan-Feb get hammered but then by November/December the take-home is way better after ive maxed out SS contributions.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to commission-based sales and was completely baffled by the varying withholding percentages on my checks. It's reassuring to know this is normal and not some payroll error. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who've been doing commission sales for a while, do you have any tips for budgeting when your take-home varies so much month to month? I'm finding it hard to plan my expenses when I never know exactly what my net pay will be, especially with these changing tax withholding rates on top of the variable commission amounts.

Don't forget about city/county tax jurisdictions! Depends on your state, but where I am we have state, county AND city sales taxes - all with different rates and filing requirements. Almost screwed myself over by only filing state taxes my first year.

As someone who's been through this exact confusion with my small bakery, I feel your pain! The biggest lightbulb moment for me was realizing that sales tax is literally just a collection service - you're collecting money on behalf of the state, not paying a tax on your business income. Think of it this way: when a customer pays you $10.80 for a $10 meal, you actually received $10 in revenue for your business and $0.80 that belongs to the state. That $0.80 should go straight to a separate "sales tax collected" account and get sent to the state exactly as collected. Your business expenses (food costs, delivery app fees, etc.) are completely separate and get deducted when you file your income tax returns, not your sales tax returns. Two totally different forms for two totally different purposes. Most states have pretty good online resources for new business owners - definitely worth checking your state's revenue department website for restaurant-specific guidance. Also, many states offer free workshops for new business owners that cover sales tax basics. Hang in there!