Pro tip for next year: NEVER agree to have fees taken out of your refund. They don't make it obvious, but you're basically taking out a high-interest loan. The convenience fee for Refund Transfer is usually $40-$70 just to get your own money a few days faster. Always pay for tax prep upfront if possible!

This exact same thing happened to me two years ago and I panicked thinking someone had stolen my refund! The MetaBank thing is totally legitimate - it's just H&R Block's way of handling the Refund Transfer service. What helped me was logging into my H&R Block online account where they actually show you a timeline of when the IRS deposits to MetaBank, when H&R Block takes their fees, and when the remaining amount gets sent to your real bank account. Usually takes about a week total once the IRS releases your refund. You should be getting an email from H&R Block with tracking info too if you haven't already.

Instead of trying to navigate this alone, check if your university has an International Student Office or tax assistance program. Most major universities offer free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs specifically trained to help international students. Also, the IRS has Publication 519 (U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens) which covers all the specific rules for students. It's dense reading but comprehensive. If your university doesn't offer help, consider reaching out to student organizations for international students - they often organize tax workshops with experts during filing season.

As someone who went through this exact confusion a few years ago, I completely understand your frustration! The key thing to remember is that your tax obligations depend heavily on your visa type and how long you've been in the US. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I started: First, determine if you're a resident or nonresident alien for tax purposes using the Substantial Presence Test (students get special exemptions). Most F-1 students are considered nonresident aliens for their first 5 calendar years. If you're a nonresident alien, you'll need Form 8843 (required even with no income) and possibly Form 1040-NR if you have US income. The good news is that many universities offer free tax preparation help through VITA programs specifically for international students. For scholarships, the general rule is: amounts used for tuition, fees, and required books are usually tax-free, but money for room, board, or living expenses is typically taxable. Your university should have sent you a 1098-T form showing what they paid on your behalf. Don't feel bad about being confused - the intersection of immigration and tax law is genuinely complex! I'd strongly recommend visiting your university's international student office or tax assistance program before trying to file on your own.

has anyone else noticed that the withholding is higher at the start of the year after you hit the social security cap? my commission checks in Jan-Feb get hammered but then by November/December the take-home is way better after ive maxed out SS contributions.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to commission-based sales and was completely baffled by the varying withholding percentages on my checks. It's reassuring to know this is normal and not some payroll error. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who've been doing commission sales for a while, do you have any tips for budgeting when your take-home varies so much month to month? I'm finding it hard to plan my expenses when I never know exactly what my net pay will be, especially with these changing tax withholding rates on top of the variable commission amounts.

When you say "didn't have to verify" - did you get any indication that verification was being considered? Think of your tax return like a plane ticket - sometimes you get randomly selected for additional screening, but most people just walk through. I'm wondering if there was something on your transcript that suggested you might have needed verification but ultimately didn't.

Congratulations on finally getting your transcript updated! Six weeks feels like forever when you're waiting, but it's reassuring to hear from someone with a similar timeline. I filed on February 12th as a 1099 contractor too and my transcript is still completely blank. Your post gives me hope that mine might update soon - I've been checking obsessively every day. Did you notice any pattern to when transcripts typically update during the week, or was it just random when yours appeared?

Just a heads up that whatever course you choose, make sure it's updated for the latest tax law changes. I took a course in 2022 that was still teaching outdated info from before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes, and it caused me a lot of confusion when I started actually doing returns. Also, look into getting your PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) from the IRS website - you'll need this if you're preparing returns for others for compensation. It's easy to get and doesn't require any special credentials.

Great question! I'd also recommend checking out the IRS's own free resources - they have Publication 4491 (Small Business/Self-Employed Virtual Tax Workshop) which covers individual tax preparation fundamentals. It's completely free and comes straight from the source. For more structured learning, Jackson Hewitt also offers a tax course similar to H&R Block's. I've heard good things about their online format and they cover all the basics you mentioned - filing statuses, standard vs itemized deductions, common credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit, etc. One thing I'd suggest is to start with whatever course you choose, but then supplement it with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training materials. Even if you don't volunteer, their training workbooks are excellent and available for free download. They're updated annually and very comprehensive for individual returns. Good luck with your tax prep journey! The 2025 season will be here before you know it.