Have you checked both Account Transcript and Return Transcript? Sometimes one appears before the other. What about checking transcript for prior years - are those available? Could be an account access issue rather than processing delay. Did you receive an acceptance confirmation from your software after filing? What's your current WMR status?

I'm currently on day 12 since filing electronically and still seeing "N/A" on my transcript portal. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful - it sounds like the 7-21 day range is pretty normal. I filed a relatively simple return (W-2 income only, standard deduction) on February 28th, so I'm hoping it shows up soon. The waiting is definitely stressful, especially when you're checking multiple times per day! Has anyone noticed if checking the portal too frequently affects anything, or is that just my anxiety talking?

Quick tip - if both you and your spouse are in the exact same situation (both dual status aliens for the same part of year), you might also want to look into something called the "Substantial Presence Test Safe Harbor." If you were present in the US for fewer than 183 days in the current year but will have substantial presence next year, this might give you additional options. In some cases, it might actually be MORE beneficial NOT to make the First-Year Choice election depending on your specific income situation. The key is to calculate your taxes both ways. Also, definitely look at what tax credits you'd be eligible for if filing jointly vs. separately. Things like Child Tax Credit, education credits, etc., can make a big difference in which filing method saves you more.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when my husband and I moved on H1B/H4 visas mid-year. The First-Year Choice election that others mentioned is definitely your best bet for filing jointly. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - make sure you understand the implications for future years too. Once you make the First-Year Choice election, you're committed to being treated as a US resident for tax purposes going forward (as long as you remain in the US). This means you'll always need to report worldwide income and comply with all the foreign account reporting requirements. Also, timing matters for the election. You need to make it by the due date of your return (including extensions), and you can't revoke it later. So definitely run those calculations comparing dual-status filing vs. the election before you decide. One more tip - if you do make the election, keep excellent records of what foreign taxes you paid in early 2023 before moving. You'll need those for Form 1116 to claim foreign tax credits and avoid double taxation. The IRS can be very particular about the documentation for foreign tax credits. Good luck! The first year of US taxes as an immigrant is definitely overwhelming, but it gets easier once you understand the system.

Be careful, both you and your parents could get audited if there's a mismatch! My cousin and her mom both got letters from the IRS last year when they had conflicting dependent claims.

Based on everything you've shared, it sounds like your parents can legitimately claim you as a dependent. Since you're 20, a full-time student, living with them, and they're providing more than half your support (housing, food, insurance, etc.), you meet all the requirements for being their qualifying child dependent. The good news is that this situation is very common and not something to panic about. You'll need to file an amended return (Form 1040X) to check the box indicating you can be claimed as a dependent. Yes, you'll likely need to repay part of your refund - particularly any education credits or earned income credit you may have claimed that have different rules for dependents. I'd recommend going back to H&R Block since they prepared your original return. They can help you file the amendment correctly and calculate exactly how much you'll need to repay. The sooner you file the amended return, the better - it shows good faith and helps avoid any potential issues when your parents file their return. Don't stress too much about this - it's a learning experience and you're handling it responsibly by trying to get it sorted out correctly!

Heads up - something nobody mentioned yet. If your business is an S-corp (which many consultants operate as), there's an additional wrinkle: the company needs to reimburse you for business mileage if you personally own the vehicle. If the company owns it, different rules apply. Also, if you want to really do this right, create a written vehicle policy for your business that outlines requirements for documentation. Having contemporaneous documentation and a formal policy provides significant protection if you're ever audited. For the vehicle itself - yes, Audi Q7 is over 6,000 lbs GVWR and qualifies for the heavy vehicle exception to luxury limits. But don't forget insurance costs will be higher too - factor that into your calculations.

Great question about maximizing deductions! As someone who went through this exact process last year with a BMW X7, I can share what I learned. You're absolutely right that vehicles over 6,000 lbs GVWR escape the luxury vehicle depreciation caps. For your $85,000 Audi Q7, you have flexibility in how to structure the deductions: **Option 1:** Take full Section 179 ($85,000 first year) - but only if your business income can support it **Option 2:** Take partial Section 179 + 60% bonus depreciation on remaining basis **Option 3:** Skip Section 179, take 60% bonus depreciation ($51,000 first year) The key is matching your deduction timing to your income pattern. Section 179 can't create a business loss, but bonus depreciation can. For tracking, I use a combination of automatic mileage apps (MileIQ) plus manual notes for complex trips. The IRS wants: date, odometer start/end, locations, business purpose for EVERY trip. It's tedious but absolutely essential - vehicle deductions are audit magnets. One thing to consider: if you're planning to use personal funds, make sure your business entity structure supports the deduction method you choose. LLC vs S-corp vs sole proprietorship all have different optimal approaches. Also factor in that luxury SUVs depreciate faster than the tax schedule, so there's real economic cost beyond just the tax benefits.