Just wanted to share that when I went thru this last year the IRS actually processed both of my 8822-B forms at the same time and it caused a huge mess!!! They kept alternating which address they sent notices to and I missed a CP2000 notice which led to penalties. Definitely set up USPS mail forwarding from both addresses like someone suggested above.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I submitted my Form 8822-B about 5 weeks ago and immediately regretted it. Based on all the advice here, I just submitted a second 8822-B yesterday with my original address listed as the "new" address. A few things I learned from my research that might help others: 1. You can check the status of your address change by calling the IRS at 800-829-4933, though be prepared for long hold times 2. The IRS processes these forms chronologically, so your second submission should override the first 3. DEFINITELY set up mail forwarding with USPS between both addresses - this saved me from missing a quarterly payment voucher One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you have an IRS online account, you can verify which address they have on file by logging in and checking your profile information. It's updated more frequently than their phone system records. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helped me feel more confident about handling this situation!

Has anyone successfully received payments through PayPal after submitting the W-8BEN-E? I submitted mine 3 weeks ago and my account is still limited. Customer service just keeps telling me "it's being reviewed" but I'm getting worried because I have clients trying to pay me.

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! PayPal's system seems to have a bug where it automatically requests W-8BEN-E forms from anyone who has ever selected "business" during account setup, even if you're just a freelancer. Here's what worked for me: First, check if your PayPal account is set to "business" type. If it is, you'll need the W-8BEN-E regardless of whether you think you should use W-8BEN. Don't try to fight the system on this - just fill out what they're asking for. For the W-8BEN-E form as a sole proprietor with no US connections: - Part I: Use your legal name and address - Line 4 (Entity type): Select "Disregarded entity" if you file business taxes, or "Individual" if you don't - Part II: Skip most of this unless you have specific US tax situations - Part III: Only fill out if your country has a tax treaty with the US (most do) - Certification: Sign as yourself The key is being consistent with how you're registered locally for tax purposes. Don't overthink it - most sections won't apply to your situation as a simple freelancer. PayPal's review process typically takes 2-3 weeks, but your account should work normally once approved.

Anyone else notice TurboTax charges different prices depending on what device you use? I started on my phone and it was showing $89 for the premier version, then switched to my laptop and it was $69 for the exact same version. Kinda shady imo...

Pro tip for TurboTax users: Don't pay for state filing through them. You can file directly through your state's tax website for free in most cases. I use TurboTax for federal then just manually enter the numbers on my state's site. Saved me $39 this year!

Could it be a simple error with the social security number? Sometimes people transpose digits when entering SSNs on their tax returns. Maybe someone accidentally entered your son's SSN instead of their dependent's by mistake.

I went through this exact situation last year and it was incredibly stressful. Here's what I learned from the experience: First, don't panic - you will get this resolved, but it takes time. Since you have a clear custody agreement stating it's your year to claim him, you're in a strong position. Make sure you gather ALL documentation before you paper file: - Your divorce decree showing the alternating year arrangement - School enrollment records showing your address as his residence - Medical records listing you as the responsible party - Receipts for expenses you've paid (school supplies, clothes, activities, etc.) - Any childcare documentation One thing I wish I'd done sooner was to call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778). They can sometimes expedite cases involving dependent disputes, especially when you have clear legal documentation like a custody agreement. Also, file as soon as possible even though it has to be by paper. The sooner you get your documentation to the IRS, the sooner they can start their investigation. And definitely keep copies of everything you send them. The waiting is the hardest part, but you'll get through this. The fact that you have a court order in your favor makes this much more straightforward than cases where there's no clear documentation.

23 Has anyone here used TurboTax to handle the PSO health insurance exclusion? I'm wondering if it has a specific input for this or if I need to somehow manually adjust my income to account for it.

12 Great discussion here! As someone who went through this exact situation a few years ago, I wanted to add that it's also worth keeping detailed records of your health insurance premium payments throughout the year, even though they're being deducted directly from your pension. The IRS could potentially ask for documentation during an audit to verify that the excluded amount was actually used for qualifying health insurance or long-term care premiums. I keep copies of my insurance statements showing the monthly premium amounts, plus documentation from my pension administrator showing how much was deducted each month. Also, don't forget that this exclusion applies to both health insurance AND qualified long-term care insurance premiums, up to the combined $3,000 limit. Some retired officers miss the long-term care piece and could be excluding more if they have both types of coverage.