Don't forget state taxes too! Depending on which state you're in, you might need to file a state tax return along with your federal 1040-NR. Some states have free filing options while others might require additional software purchases. Also check if your bank offers any student discounts on tax preparation services. I got 15% off TaxAct through my bank's student rewards program!

Hey Carmella! I totally feel your pain as a fellow international grad. I went through this exact same struggle last year after finishing my degree. One thing that really helped me was reaching out to my university's alumni association - some schools have partnerships with tax prep services that extend beyond graduation. Also, check if your school's international student office has any leftover discount codes they're willing to share, even informally. For what it's worth, I ended up using one of the alternatives mentioned here (taxr.ai) and it was honestly better than Sprintax in terms of explaining everything clearly. The document analysis feature caught some treaty benefits I would have missed otherwise. Also, don't stress too much about the complexity - the 1040-NR instructions are actually pretty detailed if you have a straightforward situation. But if you have any scholarship income or multiple jobs, definitely worth using software to avoid mistakes. Good luck with your filing! The broke grad life is real but you'll get through it! 💪

I went through this exact same nightmare situation last year! The non-filer tool definitely creates what the IRS considers a "simplified return" even though it feels like you're just updating your info for stimulus payments. Here's what worked for me: I ended up calling the IRS early in the morning (around 7 AM) right when they opened - had much better luck getting through than calling later in the day. The agent was actually really helpful and explained that they see this issue constantly. She told me to mail in a paper return with a cover letter explaining the situation. One thing I learned that might help - when you file the paper return, include Form 1040X (Amended Return) along with your regular 1040. Write "SUPERSEDING RETURN" at the top of the 1040X. This tells them you're replacing the simplified return from the non-filer tool with your actual complete return. The agent said this helps their processing center handle it correctly the first time instead of getting bounced around different departments. Also definitely file an extension if you're running out of time - you can do that online even with this duplicate issue. Gives you until October to get the paper return sorted out without penalties.

This is such a frustrating situation that so many people are dealing with! I went through something similar with the non-filer tool creating issues, but I found a different approach that worked for me. Instead of calling the IRS directly (which can be a nightmare with wait times), I contacted my local Taxpayer Advocate Service office. They're specifically designed to help with situations like this where there are processing issues or systemic problems. The advocate I worked with was able to flag my case and get it resolved much faster than going through regular IRS channels. You can find your local office at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. They don't charge anything and they're really good at cutting through the bureaucratic mess. In my case, they were able to clear the duplicate flag in their system so I could actually e-file my real return instead of having to do paper filing. Just another option to consider if the paper return route doesn't work out for you!

Took me 3 months to get my remaining balance after garnishment last year. The system is broken fr

This is unfortunately super common with Michigan. I went through the same thing last year - the online system shows the full amount as "held" but that doesn't mean they're taking all of it. The system just isn't sophisticated enough to show partial amounts in real time. Keep calling every week or so to check status, and definitely file that Form 3385 like Ethan mentioned. Also document every call you make (date, time, rep name if they give it) in case you need to escalate later. Hang in there! 💪

21 When we missed reporting a 1099R a few years ago, our CP2000 came in November for a return filed in March. The frustrating part was they added interest from the original due date even though they took 8 months to tell us about the problem! Just be prepared for that possibility.

Based on my experience helping clients with similar situations, I'd strongly recommend filing the amended return (Form 1040-X) rather than waiting for the CP2000. Here's why: The IRS typically sends CP2000 notices 6-12 months after filing, but the interest clock starts ticking from the original due date (April 15th). So even if they don't contact your parents until October, they'll still charge interest going back to April. With a $5,800 unreported distribution, assuming they're in a 22% tax bracket, that's roughly $1,276 in additional tax plus interest and potential penalties. Filing proactively shows good faith and gives you the best chance at penalty abatement. The amended return process is straightforward - just file Form 1040-X with the corrected information and pay the additional tax. Include a brief explanation that it was an inadvertent omission. Your parents' age and clean filing history will work in their favor if any penalties are assessed. This approach will give your parents peace of mind and likely save money compared to waiting for the IRS to catch it.

Something nobody's mentioned yet - make sure you look into First Time Penalty Abatement! If you had a good filing history before these missed years (or if this is your first time filing), you can often get penalties waived for the first year you missed. This saved me over $2,400 when I was catching up on unfiled returns. Also, for your small business, make sure you have documentation for expenses. Even if you're missing some receipts, bank and credit card statements can usually suffice. For the years where the business wasn't profitable, those losses might be able to offset other income. Don't let shame keep you from getting help. I put off fixing my tax situation for years because I was embarrassed, and it only made things worse. The relief of finally getting current with the IRS was worth everything!

I want to add another perspective here as someone who went through this exact situation. The anxiety you're feeling is completely normal - I literally couldn't sleep for weeks when I finally faced my unfiled returns situation. One thing that really helped me was to break this down into smaller, manageable steps rather than trying to tackle everything at once. First, gather all your financial documents for each year (bank statements, 1099s, business records). Then organize them by year. The IRS actually has a really helpful "Get Transcript" tool on their website where you can see what income documents they already have on file for you. Since you mentioned having a small business that barely broke even, you'll likely be filing Schedule C forms. Make sure you track ALL business expenses - office supplies, business meals, mileage, equipment depreciation, etc. These deductions can really add up and might even result in refunds for some years. Also, don't underestimate the psychological relief of just starting the process. Once I filed my first return, even though I still had several more to go, I felt so much better knowing I was moving in the right direction. The IRS is actually much more reasonable to work with when you're proactive about fixing the situation rather than avoiding it. You've got this! Taking the first step by acknowledging the problem and asking for help here shows you're ready to get this resolved.