Just wanted to share that in my experience as an international student who became a resident alien, the tax filing status decision should also consider long-term immigration plans. If you're planning to apply for permanent residency in the future, filing MFJ creates a paper trail that demonstrates your marital relationship, which can be helpful for immigration purposes.

Great question! I'm going through a similar situation right now. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned is timing - if your wife is close to completing her degree or changing visa status, it might make sense to delay the 6013(g) election until her FICA exemption expires naturally. Also, don't forget to factor in state taxes. Some states have different rules for non-resident spouses that could affect your overall tax burden. I'd recommend calculating the total federal + state tax impact for both scenarios before deciding. The IRS Publication 519 has detailed examples of mixed-status couples that might help you work through the calculations. It's dense reading but worth it for understanding all the nuances of your situation.

I've analyzed hundreds of tax returns with side income like yours. The exact amounts matter here: With $2,500 in babysitting income, your self-employment tax will be approximately $353.16 (calculated as 15.3% of 92.35% of $2,500). For the 2023 tax year, the Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, so potentially $4,000 total. Your income tax liability on $2,500 would be determined by your overall tax bracket, but the CTC would likely eliminate it entirely. Keep in mind that if your total income is between $11,750 and $46,560 (for two children), you may qualify for EITC worth up to $6,604 depending on your filing status and other income.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation! I had $2,800 in babysitting income in 2022 with two kids. The self-employment tax was definitely a shock at first - I wasn't expecting to pay both sides of Social Security and Medicare taxes. But like others mentioned, the Child Tax Credit completely wiped out my income tax liability, and I actually got a decent refund. One thing I learned the hard way: keep track of ANY expenses related to your babysitting work. I wish I had saved receipts for gas driving to their house, snacks I bought for the kids, even a small first aid kit I purchased specifically for babysitting. Every little deduction helps reduce that self-employment income! Also, if you plan to continue babysitting this year and expect to make more than $1,000, you might want to look into making quarterly estimated payments to avoid owing a big chunk next year.

I experienced the exact same situation with the TC 570/971 combo and no letter arriving. After analyzing my Account Transcript, I noticed the specific Action Code 5071 attached to the 971, which explicitly indicates identity verification is required. On February 22nd, I verified through ID.me without waiting for the letter. My transcript updated with TC 290 on March 1st, followed by TC 571 (reversal of previous hold) on March 3rd. DDD (direct deposit date) code 846 appeared on March 5th with payment scheduled for March 8th. The IRS is currently experiencing a 38% increase in identity verification cases compared to last year due to enhanced fraud prevention measures. Your fluctuating "as of" dates are simply weekly processing cycle updates and don't indicate any problems.

I went through this exact same situation in early February! My ID verification was triggered on 2/8, and like you, I never received the letter despite waiting over 3 weeks. The "as of" date bouncing around is completely normal - it's just their system updating weekly cycles. Here's what worked for me: I called the ID verification line at 800-830-5084 at exactly 7:00 AM on a Tuesday morning. Got through in about 20 minutes (much better than the general IRS line). The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone by asking me questions about my previous tax returns, my SSN, and some basic personal info. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once I got through. My transcript updated 4 days later showing the hold was released, and my refund was deposited exactly 7 days after that phone call. Don't wait for the letter - it seems like mail delays are really bad this year for these notices. The phone verification is much faster and just as valid. Also, the disconnect between your transcript showing "no return filed" and WMR showing "processing" is totally normal during ID verification holds. The systems don't sync up until the hold is released. Hope this helps ease your worry a bit!

Has anyone used TurboTax for Philly city taxes? Their website says they support some local taxes but I'm not sure if Philadelphia is included.

Welcome to the world of city taxes! As someone who's been dealing with Philadelphia's wage tax for several years, I can tell you it gets easier once you understand the system. At your salary of $72,500, you're looking at roughly $2,755 in annual city wage tax as a resident (3.8% rate). That breaks down to about $230 per month, which should be automatically withheld from your paychecks. A few practical tips for your first year: - Keep your first few pay stubs to verify the withholding rate is correct - Set a reminder for January to file your city return - it's due by April 15th just like federal - The city return is much simpler than federal, usually just a few pages - Consider the total tax burden when budgeting - between federal, state, and city, you're looking at a significant jump from your previous rural location The city does offer some services and amenities that justify the tax, but I know it can be sticker shock coming from a no-local-tax area. Feel free to ask if you have specific questions about the filing process!

Pro tip from someone who's been there: Wait until May to find a preparer for your amendment. 😂 Tax pros right now are drowning in current-year returns and extensions. For finding someone to do it: - Enrolled Agents (EAs) are usually more willing to take on amendments than CPAs - Local independent tax offices (not chains) are your best bet - Expect to pay $150-300 depending on complexity - Bring ALL your child care documentation (provider tax ID, annual receipts) Just remember the Child and Dependent Care Credit has specific income phaseouts and expense limitations. For 2022, the max expenses you can claim are $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more. The actual credit percentage depends on your AGI.

I'd definitely recommend moving forward with the amendment! Even if you currently owe the IRS, claiming legitimate credits you missed can significantly reduce your tax liability. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is particularly valuable since it directly reduces your tax owed dollar-for-dollar. A few things to consider: - You have until April 15, 2026 to amend your 2022 return, so there's no rush - The amendment will adjust your existing balance with the IRS once processed - Processing typically takes 16-20 weeks, but it's worth the wait For finding help, try looking for Enrolled Agents (EAs) in your area after tax season ends. They're federally licensed tax practitioners who often handle more complex situations like amendments. You can search for EAs near you on the IRS website. In the meantime, start gathering your documentation - you'll need your childcare provider's tax ID number, total amounts paid in 2022, and receipts. Having everything organized will make the process smoother and potentially less expensive when you do find someone to help.