I'm currently dealing with this exact situation! I was on an F-1 visa during 2020-2022 and just discovered that my employer was incorrectly withholding FICA taxes for almost two full years. I had no idea I was exempt until a friend mentioned it recently. Reading through all these responses is super helpful - it sounds like Form 843 is definitely the way to go. I'm leaning toward doing it myself rather than using a service since several people have had success with the DIY approach. One question I have: if I worked part-time during school and then full-time during summer breaks, does that affect my eligibility at all? I was always maintaining my F-1 status and was definitely under the 5-year rule for non-resident aliens. Also, did anyone here have issues with employers who initially refused to provide employment verification letters? Thanks for all the detailed advice - this thread is exactly what I needed to get started on my refund claim!

I went through this exact same process last year and wanted to share my experience! I was on an F-1 visa from 2018-2020 and discovered that my employer had been incorrectly withholding FICA taxes for the entire period. I decided to handle the Form 843 filing myself rather than using a service, and it worked out great. The key things that helped me succeed: 1. **Be extremely thorough with documentation** - I included copies of every relevant document (passport, visa, I-94, all W-2s, employment letters) 2. **Write a clear explanatory letter** - I kept it to one page explaining my F-1 status, why FICA taxes shouldn't have been withheld, and the specific refund amount I was requesting 3. **Send via certified mail** - This gave me peace of mind and proof of delivery 4. **Be patient** - The process took about 6 months total, but I eventually received a refund check for $2,847 The most challenging part was getting employment verification letters from my employers, but once I explained it was just confirming dates and job title, they were cooperative. Since you were only in your second year in 2019, you definitely qualify as a non-resident alien. The amount you could get back might surprise you - FICA taxes add up quickly! Don't let the bureaucracy discourage you, the refund is absolutely worth pursuing.

Has anyone used TurboTax to do this amendment? Their interface keeps confusing me when I try to switch methods.

Yes, you can definitely amend your 2023 return to switch from actual expenses to standard mileage! This is actually a smart strategic move that many business owners don't realize they can make. The key rule is that you must use standard mileage in the FIRST year you place the vehicle in service for business to maintain flexibility between methods in future years. Since 2023 was your first year using this car for business, amending that return to use standard mileage will "reset" your election and give you the flexibility to choose either method going forward. You'll need to file Form 1040-X along with a revised Schedule C. Remove any depreciation, actual expenses, and Section 179 deductions you claimed for the vehicle, and replace them with the standard mileage deduction (65.5 cents per mile for 2023). Make sure you have solid documentation of your business miles for 2023 - mileage logs, calendar appointments, receipts showing business locations, etc. One important note: if you claimed any depreciation or Section 179 deductions on the vehicle, you may need to deal with depreciation recapture when switching to standard mileage. The calculation can get complex, so consider using tax software that handles amendments or consulting with a tax professional to make sure you get it right. You have until April 2027 to amend your 2023 return (three years from the original filing date), so you have plenty of time. But I'd recommend doing it sooner rather than later so you can plan your 2024 and future tax strategies accordingly.

This is such a common situation for creative freelancers! You're definitely not alone in being confused about the tax obligations. The good news is that you're addressing it now rather than letting it pile up for more years. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure you're keeping detailed records of not just your income, but also your business expenses. Things like Adobe Creative Suite subscriptions, Wacom tablet styluses, online course fees for improving your art skills, and even a portion of your internet bill can potentially be deducted as business expenses. Since you mentioned you're getting paid through Venmo, I'd strongly recommend switching to a more business-friendly payment method like PayPal Business or Stripe for future commissions. These platforms make it much easier to track your income and provide better documentation for tax purposes. Plus, they look more professional to clients. For the income you've already earned in previous years, you might want to consider filing amended returns if the amounts were significant. The IRS is generally more lenient if you voluntarily correct past mistakes rather than waiting for them to find discrepancies.

As a digital artist who went through this exact same panic a few years ago, I can tell you that you're handling this the right way by addressing it now! The IRS actually appreciates when people come forward voluntarily rather than trying to hide income. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - consider setting aside 25-30% of your commission income going forward for taxes. Since you're already employed full-time, your art income will likely be taxed at your marginal rate plus self-employment tax, so it adds up quickly. I learned this lesson the hard way during my first year! Also, keep in mind that the IRS has a "hobby vs. business" test. Since you're consistently earning income and treating this seriously, you should be fine. But document your business activities - save client communications, keep a log of time spent on projects, and maintain professional practices. This helps establish that you're running a legitimate business, not just pursuing a hobby. For record-keeping, I use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, client, project description, amount earned, and payment method. Takes 2 minutes per transaction but saves hours during tax season. You can also photograph receipts for business expenses with your phone - just make sure they're clear and organized by category. The learning curve is steep at first, but once you get systems in place, it becomes routine. You've got this!

Has anyone actually compared their expected refund/amount owed from the calculator to what they actually ended up with when filing? I've used the IRS calculator twice and both times it was WAY off.

Great thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation as a newcomer to dual-income withholding. One thing that helped me understand the math better was realizing that the "married" withholding tables assume only one spouse works. When both work at similar income levels, each employer calculates withholding as if your spouse has zero income, which leads to significant under-withholding. For Diego's situation with $78k and $85k incomes, you're likely in the sweet spot where this creates the biggest problem. The IRS calculator should give you a pretty accurate number - just make sure you're entering your most recent pay stub info and any other income sources. I ended up using the "married but withhold at higher single rate" approach rather than calculating extra dollars, since it automatically adjusts when we get raises. Has worked well for us so far, though we check the calculator again mid-year to make sure we're still on track. The key insight for me was understanding WHY we were under-withholding in the first place - once that clicked, the solution made much more sense!

I've been using Cash App Taxes for three years now and can share some insights from my experience. The biggest pro is definitely the cost - completely free for both federal and state filing, which has saved me hundreds compared to what I was paying with H&R Block. The interface is pretty user-friendly and handles most standard situations well. I've filed with W-2s, multiple 1099s, mortgage interest, and charitable deductions without any major issues. The step-by-step process is intuitive and similar to other tax software. However, there are some real limitations to be aware of. The customer support is virtually non-existent - when I had questions about reporting some stock options from my employer, I basically had to figure it out myself using IRS publications. Also, if you need to file in multiple states or have complex business income, you'll likely need a different service. One thing I've learned is to double-check everything carefully since the error-checking isn't as robust as paid services. I always review my return multiple times before submitting. But for straightforward tax situations, it's been reliable and my refunds typically arrive within 7-10 days. Overall, if you're comfortable doing a bit of research when needed and your taxes aren't too complex, Cash App Taxes is a solid free option that can save you significant money compared to TurboTax.

I made the switch from TurboTax to Cash App Taxes this year and it's been mostly positive. The free filing saved me about $80, and the interface is clean and straightforward. I was able to handle my W-2, some freelance 1099-NEC income, and basic investment gains without major issues. The biggest challenge was when I needed help with reporting some RSU vesting from my employer. Cash App's help section was pretty bare-bones for that scenario, so I ended up spending time on the IRS website figuring out the right forms. TurboTax would have walked me through it step-by-step. That said, once I got everything entered correctly, the filing process was smooth and my refund arrived in about 8 days. The key is being prepared to do some of your own research if you hit any unusual situations. For basic to moderately complex returns, it definitely gets the job done and keeps more money in your pocket. If you're disciplined about reviewing everything carefully before submitting and don't mind googling tax questions when needed, Cash App Taxes is a solid choice. Just don't expect the hand-holding you get with premium services.