That Treasury Department letter you got is totally normal - it's just the standard envelope they use for refund checks. The "forgery" and "deceased recipient" text is just boilerplate legal stuff they print on all their mailings, nothing to worry about! Since you got the 846 code on Dec 13, you should definitely have your refund by now (it's been over a month). If you provided direct deposit info on your return, it would go to your bank first before they mail a check. I'd check your bank account and maybe call the IRS to see what's up with the delay. 10 months is way too long to wait!

Hey! I went through the exact same thing last year. That Treasury Department letter you got is actually just the standard envelope they use for all refund checks - all that legal text about forgery and deceased recipients is just boilerplate stuff they print on every envelope, so don't stress about it! Since you got the 846 code on Dec 13th and it's now mid-January, you should definitely have received something by now. If you provided direct deposit info when you filed, they would have tried that first before mailing a paper check. I'd suggest calling the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954 to see what's causing the delay. After waiting 10+ months, you deserve some answers! Also, you might want to check if your bank rejected the deposit for some reason (wrong account number, closed account, etc.) which would trigger them to mail a check instead. Hope you get your money soon! 💰

Good to hear your income is well within the Roth limits! Based on everything discussed in this thread, it sounds like you have a clear path forward: 1) Report the full $14,300 taxable amount from your 1099-R as ordinary income 2) No early withdrawal penalty due to the 1D distribution code 3) Your Roth contributions are separate transactions and should be reported normally One small administrative note - when you're entering this in TurboTax, make sure you answer "No" to any question about whether this was rolled over to another retirement account. The software sometimes tries to be helpful but can create confusion with these inheritance situations. Also, keep good records showing the inheritance and the 1099-R in case you ever need to explain the source of funds to the IRS. Inheritance distributions can sometimes trigger additional scrutiny, especially when there are subsequent retirement contributions, but having the proper documentation makes everything straightforward. Sounds like you handled everything correctly from a planning perspective - just a matter of getting the tax reporting right now!

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful - since you mentioned using some of the inheritance for bathroom renovations, make sure you're keeping detailed records of how you allocated those funds. While it doesn't change the tax treatment of the 1099-R distribution, having clear documentation of what portion went to Roth contributions versus home improvements can be useful for your own records. Also, for future reference, if you ever inherit retirement accounts again, you might want to consult with a tax professional before making the distribution decision. Sometimes there are strategies like setting up an inherited IRA that can provide more flexibility in timing distributions to manage tax brackets over multiple years. In your case, taking the lump sum made sense given your plans, but it's worth knowing all the options. The main takeaway from this thread seems clear though - you'll report the $14,300 as ordinary income, no penalties due to the 1D code, and your Roth contributions are completely separate transactions. Sounds like you're on the right track!

One tip that helped me as a server - fill out a new W-4 and ask for additional withholding on line 4(c). I put an extra $20 per paycheck which isn't much weekly but adds up to enough extra withholding that I don't get surprised at tax time. Most restaurant workers underpay throughout the year without realizing it, especially if you get cash tips that aren't properly reported. That extra withholding covers you.

Hey Paolo! I totally feel your frustration - restaurant taxes are genuinely confusing and you're not alone in this struggle. Here's what's likely happening: That $192 from your $600 paycheck includes federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and possibly state taxes. The high percentage might be because restaurants often withhold based on your current pay period, not accounting for fluctuating schedules or slower weeks. The big issue with your refund getting cut in half is probably the dependent status situation. If you're 23, living independently, and paying your own bills, you might actually qualify to file as independent rather than being claimed as a dependent. This could significantly help your tax situation since you'd get the full standard deduction. Also, restaurant payroll systems sometimes don't handle tipped income withholding correctly. Even if you're not making tons in tips, the system might assume you are and underwithhold accordingly. My advice: 1) Talk to your parents about whether you should still be claimed as their dependent, 2) Consider filling out a new W-4 with your HR person to adjust your withholding, and 3) Keep track of all your tips (even small cash ones) so you're not surprised by unreported income at tax time. Restaurant work taxes are genuinely more complicated than regular jobs, so don't feel bad about being confused!

Don't forget about state taxes! Even if you understand the federal NRA rules, many states have their own withholding requirements for non-residents selling property. California was brutal with a mandatory 12.3% withholding on top of the federal FIRPTA withholding when I sold my San Diego property. Arizona has their own withholding for non-residents too, I think it's around 2-4% depending on the sale price. Massachusetts might have something similar for your Boston property.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - moving back to the UK next year and have been stressing about the tax implications of selling my Denver condo. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: if you're planning to maintain any US ties (like keeping US bank accounts or investment accounts), make sure you understand how that might affect your NRA status determination. I learned from my tax advisor that the IRS looks at the totality of your connections to determine tax residency, not just the day count. Also, regarding the substantial presence test - don't forget that days when you're in the US for medical treatment or as a student can be excluded from the count in certain situations. There are some nuances that might help if you're borderline on the 31-day/183-day thresholds. The state withholding point is crucial too. Colorado has its own withholding requirements, and I discovered that some states don't have reciprocal agreements with certain countries' tax treaties, so you might get federal relief but still face state-level complications. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is invaluable for navigating these complex situations!

I might suggest a slightly different approach, though I'd be cautious about expectations. If your return was very recently filed, you could potentially file an amended return (Form 1040-X) to correct the banking information. However, this might actually slow things down further rather than speed them up. In most cases, it's generally better to simply let the incorrect direct deposit attempt fail naturally and wait for the paper check. The IRS systems are designed to handle this situation automatically, and intervening sometimes creates more complications than it resolves.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and can confirm what others have said - it's frustrating but the system handles it automatically. The most important thing is to NOT panic and try to "fix" it by filing amendments or calling repeatedly. I made that mistake and it just created confusion. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - make absolutely sure your mailing address is current with the IRS. When my direct deposit failed, I realized I had moved since filing my previous year's return, and the IRS had my old address on file. I had to call to update it before they could mail the check. You can verify your address through the "Where's My Refund" tool or by checking your most recent tax transcript. The whole process took about 6 weeks total for me, but knowing what to expect made it much less stressful than constantly wondering what was happening.