Just want to add - if you're worried about any potential issues, you can also check the Treasury Offset Program website directly to see if you have any debts that might affect your refund. They have a lookup tool where you can verify if there are any holds on your account. Better to know ahead of time than be surprised when you file!

Been there! Had the same worry last year. As long as your loans are truly in deferment and not default, you should be fine. But definitely double-check your loan status on studentaid.gov like others mentioned - sometimes the paperwork gets mixed up between servicers. Also worth noting that even if you're in deferment, any interest might still be accruing depending on your loan type, so keep an eye on that too!

Something nobody has mentioned yet is the "pattern of occupation" test that HMRC might apply. Even if you have separate bookings with the same guest, if they keep coming back for exactly 30 days with just short breaks in between, HMRC might view this as an attempt to circumvent the rules. I'd suggest making sure the gap between the two 30-day stays is substantial (at least a couple of weeks) and ideally have other guests staying during that gap. This strengthens your position that the property is genuinely being used for holiday lets rather than as a disguised residential let.

Just to add a practical tip - I keep a specific "FHL booking log" spreadsheet that tracks all stays including days between bookings. This makes it easy to demonstrate to HMRC that I'm meeting all the FHL criteria. For repeat guests, I make a point of having them sign a specific checkout form confirming they're fully vacating the property at the end of each stay. When they return later, they sign a completely new booking form. I've been doing FHL rentals for 5 years and have had repeat guests do multiple 30-day stays within the same tax year without problems. As long as your documentation clearly shows these are separate holiday bookings, you should be fine.

4 Does anyone know if the Philippines has its own inheritance tax that might apply? My friend had an inheritance from Spain and found out they had to pay taxes there first before receiving anything in the US.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation with an inheritance from the UK a few years ago. The stress of not knowing what to report is real! A few things that helped me navigate this: 1. Don't panic about the lack of formal paperwork right now - inheritances often take months or even years to fully process internationally. The verbal confirmation is just the beginning. 2. Since you're filing taxes tomorrow, focus on what you actually received in 2024. If no money has actually hit your US accounts yet, there's likely nothing to report on this year's return. 3. Start documenting everything NOW - screenshot any text messages, emails, or WhatsApp conversations about the inheritance. Save any photos of property documents, even if they're informal. 4. Consider setting up a separate savings account specifically for when the inheritance money arrives. This makes it easier to track and demonstrates to banks/IRS that you're being transparent about the source. The good news is that the IRS generally gives people reasonable time to comply with reporting requirements once they become aware of situations like this. The key is showing good faith effort to follow the rules once you understand what they are. You've got this! Taking the time to ask questions here shows you're being responsible about the whole situation.

Has anybody had success contacting their Congressional representative about this? I've been waiting 6 months on my 2023 return with multiple 2645C letters, and I'm considering reaching out to my Congressman's office for help.

Thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience with Letter 2645C! I'm currently in month 3 of this same verification process and your timeline information is incredibly helpful. I received my first 2645C letter in February and just got the "we need another 60 days" letter last week. Like you, I was initially told it would be 60 days, but after reading your post I called the IRS again and confirmed they actually need 120+ days for the third-party field verification. The most frustrating part is the lack of transparency about what's actually happening. The IRS representatives I've spoken with couldn't tell me much beyond "your return is in verification" but your explanation about the third-party company physically visiting employers makes so much sense. I'm definitely going to set up online access to track any updates, and I really appreciate you mentioning that you'll continue posting updates. There's such a lack of real-world timeline information for this process - most people just disappear from forums once their issue is resolved. One question: did the IRS give you any indication of what specifically triggered your verification? I'm trying to figure out if it was income changes, certain deductions, or just random selection.

What gets overlooked often is that tax preparation software has REALLY good help features now! I've learned tons just by going through TurboTax, H&R Block, and FreeTaxUSA and reading their explanations. Try creating a free account and just going through the interview process with made-up but realistic numbers. The software explains why it's asking each question and often has "learn more" links with detailed explanations of tax concepts.

Self-study is definitely possible, but I'd recommend a hybrid approach. I've been preparing taxes for about 5 years now and started mostly self-taught. Here's what worked for me: Start with the IRS's own materials (Publication 17, Publication 334 for small business), then supplement with reputable online courses. The IRS Annual Filing Season Program is free and gives you a good foundation. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - consider volunteering with VITA or TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) programs. You get hands-on experience with real returns under supervision, which is invaluable. Plus, it looks great if you later decide to go professional. For complex scenarios like rental properties, partnerships, or estate issues, you'll eventually want formal training or mentorship. But for basic individual and small business returns, self-study can definitely get you there. Just make sure you're staying current with tax law changes each year - that's the real challenge in this field. The PTIN is required if you're paid to prepare returns, and I'd strongly suggest getting Enrolled Agent status if you want to represent clients. The EA exam is tough but completely doable with self-study.