Has anyone here dealt with the green card application and its tax implications? I'm in a similar situation where I'm working in Canada but dating someone in the US and considering applying for a green card in 2025.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - moved from the US to the UK after my F-1 status and dealing with the complexity of dual tax obligations. A few additional points that might help: Regarding your question about proactive reporting - while you don't need to formally notify the IRS of your move, make sure you update your address with them using Form 8822. This ensures any correspondence reaches you in Germany. For the dual-status vs full-year resident question, consider the timing of your German employment start. If you began earning German income in November, a dual-status return might actually be more beneficial since you can exclude the German-sourced income from the non-resident portion of the year, potentially reducing your US tax liability. One thing to watch out for - if you're planning frequent US visits, keep detailed records of your entry/exit dates. The substantial presence test can be tricky with multiple short visits, and you'll need accurate day counts for Form 8840 if you claim the closer connection exception. Also, don't forget about potential German tax obligations on your 2024 US income. Germany generally taxes worldwide income for residents, so you might need to report your pre-November US earnings there too. The US-Germany tax treaty should prevent double taxation, but the paperwork can be complex. Good luck with everything! International tax compliance is definitely not straightforward, but staying organized with documentation will save you headaches later.

Heads up - make sure to keep an eye out for a plain white envelope. Its not obviously from the IRS on the outside. I almost threw mine away thinking it was junk mail lol

I got mine about 6 business days after the mail date showed up on WMR. I'm also in CA (Bay Area). The wait is definitely nerve-wracking but it should show up soon! Just keep checking your mail daily like you're doing.

Their website is showing maintenance issues rn might be why everythings moving slow af

Been waiting since 1/28 myself - same exact situation. Federal cleared in like 10 days but CO is just sitting there. Really frustrating when you're expecting that refund! At least it sounds like we're not alone in this mess. Gonna try calling Monday morning like @Ryder Greene suggested.

I analyzed 37 different tax transcripts last year while helping friends with their taxes. The code 150 amount is precisely your tax liability calculated on Form 1040 line 16. To determine if you owe or will receive a refund, you need to subtract this amount from the sum of your withholdings (code 806), estimated payments (code 826), and credits (codes 766, 768, etc.). For example, if your code 150 shows $2,480, and your withholdings (code 806) total $3,000, you would receive a $520 refund ($3,000 - $2,480 = $520).

Hey Yuki! I totally understand the confusion - those transcript codes are like reading hieroglyphics at first! 😅 Code 150 just means "tax return filed" and shows your calculated tax liability before any withholdings or credits are applied. Think of it as the starting point, not the finish line. Your $2,480 is what the IRS calculated you owe based on your income, but you've probably already paid some of that through payroll withholdings throughout the year. Look for code 806 (withholdings from your paychecks) and any 7xx codes (tax credits) - those will show what you've already paid or earned as credits. The bottom line of your transcript will show your actual account balance - that's whether you owe money or get a refund. Don't stress too much until you see the whole picture!

One thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure your LLC's operating agreement and Articles of Organization align with S corporation requirements. LLCs by default don't have "shares" but rather membership interests. When you elect S corp tax treatment, you're still an LLC legally but taxed as an S corp. You'll need to make sure your documentation properly addresses this hybrid status. My attorney set up a special operating agreement that references "shares" for tax purposes but still maintains proper LLC language for legal purposes. It's worth getting this right from the beginning.

I just went through this whole process last year. One thing to watch for: if you're putting in any non-cash assets (like equipment, intellectual property, etc.), make sure you document their fair market value really carefully. I put in some specialized equipment and valued it a bit too generously - ended up with a nasty tax surprise when my accountant said I had to recognize gain on the "overvalued" portion.