I had this exact same issue a few months ago and it was so frustrating! What finally worked for me was doing the verification during off-peak hours (like early morning around 6-7 AM) when their servers aren't overloaded. Also make sure you're not using any VPN or proxy - that can cause verification failures too. If you're still stuck, try the video call option with an ID.me agent instead of the automated verification. It takes longer but they can walk you through any issues in real time. Don't give up, it's definitely fixable!

Had this same nightmare with ID.me! One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're using Chrome, try switching to Firefox or Safari temporarily. Chrome has been having weird issues with ID.me's camera integration lately. Also, make sure you're sitting completely still during the selfie part - even tiny movements can cause it to fail. The system is super sensitive. If all else fails, you can actually go to certain participating 7-Eleven stores that offer ID.me in-person verification now - might be easier than dealing with all the technical headaches online.

I'm currently studying for the EA exam and went with Fast Forward Academy after reading through this thread and doing some research. What really sold me was their focus on understanding concepts rather than just memorization. I'm about halfway through Part 1 prep and finding their explanations really helpful for connecting the dots between different tax concepts. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is their customer support - I had a technical issue with their platform and they responded within a few hours with a detailed solution. As someone juggling full-time work and studying, that kind of responsiveness is really important to me. For those asking about mobile functionality, I've been using it on my tablet during lunch breaks and it works seamlessly. The practice questions adapt well to the smaller screen and I can pick up right where I left off on my desktop at home. Planning to take Part 1 in about 6 weeks, so I'll update everyone on how the actual exam compares to their practice materials!

I've been following this thread closely as I'm also preparing for the EA exam while working full-time. Based on all the experiences shared here, it seems like both Gleim and Fast Forward Academy have their strengths. What's really helping me decide is thinking about my learning style. I tend to learn better with interactive explanations rather than just drilling practice questions, so Fast Forward's approach of focusing on understanding concepts really appeals to me. The positive feedback about their mobile platform is also a huge plus since I commute by train and could use that time effectively. That said, Gleim's massive test bank that @QuantumLeap mentioned is tempting, especially since they said the questions were very similar to the actual exam. Has anyone tried combining approaches - maybe using one platform as primary and another for supplemental practice questions? Also really intrigued by @Omar Hassan's experience with getting direct advice from the IRS using Claimyr. I might try that approach to get some insider perspective on what topics to prioritize. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful!

Wow, this thread is giving me so much hope! I'm currently on day 15 of my 60-day hold (filed 2/25, got the letter March 28th) and have been absolutely stressed about it. I need my refund for my wedding expenses that are coming up in May, and not knowing when the money will hit has been keeping me up at night. I've been checking WMR daily like a broken record, but after reading everyone's advice here about Friday morning transcript checks being more reliable, I'm definitely changing my approach. Currently still showing the 571 code from last week, but seeing your timeline of only 13 days from letter to DDD gives me so much optimism that I might not have to wait the full 60 days! The hardest part is trying to coordinate with vendors when you don't know your exact financial timeline. Your story about going through this before as a new US resident really resonates - it shows that even when the process feels overwhelming and unfamiliar, it does eventually work out. Thank you for sharing this success story, Giovanni! Posts like this are what keep those of us still waiting sane during this stressful process. Here's hoping I'll be posting my own good news soon! 🤞💍

This is such an encouraging post to read! I'm currently on day 11 of my 60-day hold (filed 2/20, got the letter March 30th) and have been absolutely panicking about whether I'll actually have to wait the full 60 days. Your timeline of just 13 days from letter to DDD is incredible and gives me so much hope! I've been guilty of checking WMR multiple times per day, but after reading through all these comments about Friday morning transcript updates being more reliable, I'm definitely switching my strategy. The daily "still processing" message was really starting to get to me. The financial stress is real when you're budgeting around that refund - I need mine to cover my son's orthodontic treatment that we've been putting off. Not knowing if it'll arrive next week or in another month makes it impossible to schedule the appointment. Thank you for sharing your success story and for encouraging others to keep faith! Reading about your experience and seeing all the other positive outcomes in this thread is exactly what I needed today. It's so reassuring to know that the system does eventually work, even when it feels like you're stuck in limbo forever. Here's hoping I'll have my own DDD to celebrate soon! 🙏

The substantial presence test can definitely be overwhelming when you first encounter it! Since you're on an H1-B and have been in the US for 8 months, you'll likely need to file as a resident alien using Form 1040. A few key points for your situation: First, make sure you understand the filing deadlines - typically April 15th for the following year, but you may be eligible for an automatic extension if needed. Second, regarding your Canadian accounts, you'll need to report the income from them on your US tax return, but the US-Canada tax treaty should help prevent double taxation through foreign tax credits. For FBAR filing (if your Canadian accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point), the deadline is different - October 15th with an automatic extension available. Don't worry too much about the payroll taxes you've been paying through work - those will be credited toward your total tax liability when you file. Since this is your first year dealing with US tax residency, I'd strongly recommend getting help from a tax professional who understands international tax situations, especially US-Canada tax treaty provisions. The peace of mind is worth the cost when dealing with potential penalties for missing requirements.

The substantial presence test definitely caught me off guard too when I first moved to the US! One important detail I learned the hard way - make sure you keep detailed records of your actual days in the US. The test counts any part of a day as a full day, so even if you just landed late at night or left early in the morning, those count toward your total. Since you mentioned you're from Canada, you might want to look into whether you qualify for the "closer connection exception" using Form 8840. If you maintained stronger ties to Canada (like a permanent home, family, bank accounts as your primary financial center, etc.) and were present in the US for fewer than 183 days this calendar year, you might be able to file as a non-resident even though you meet the substantial presence test. Also, don't panic about the foreign account reporting - the thresholds for FBAR and Form 8938 are different, and many people don't realize you might need both depending on your account balances. The FBAR threshold is $10,000 total across all foreign accounts at any point during the year, while Form 8938 has higher thresholds that depend on your filing status and where you live. The good news is that since you've been paying taxes through payroll, you're already on the right track and likely won't owe huge amounts when you file. The withholdings should cover most of your liability.

Has anyone actually RECEIVED their 1095-C yet??? I'm in the same boat as OP with missing Box 12 DD and I still haven't gotten my 1095-C. My employer keeps saying "they're in the mail" but it's been weeks.

Just wanted to add some clarity on the small employer aspect that Lincoln mentioned - this is actually really important for your situation! Since your company has under 50 employees, they're not subject to the ACA employer mandate, which means they're not required to offer coverage that meets the affordability and minimum value standards. This is huge for determining whether you need to repay your premium tax credits. Even if your employer did offer some kind of health insurance during those three months, it likely wouldn't qualify as "affordable coverage" under ACA rules unless it specifically met those strict federal standards (which most small employer plans don't). The fact that your HR person said you "missed enrollment" and had to wait also suggests their plan might not have been continuously available to you anyway. If coverage wasn't actually available during those months when you had ACA insurance, then there's no overlap issue at all. I'd suggest asking your employer two specific questions: 1) Was health insurance coverage available to me during [specific months]? and 2) Did that coverage meet ACA affordability and minimum value standards? Most small employers won't even know what those standards are, which is telling. Without proper documentation showing you had access to qualifying employer coverage during those months, you should be able to keep your premium tax credits.