Did you move during that time? Sometimes they sent paper checks that got lost in the mail

Check your 2020 and 2021 tax transcripts - they should show if the EIP was issued and when. If it shows as issued but you never got it, you'll need to request a payment trace. The IRS has been dealing with tons of these cases where the system shows payments went out but people never received them. Don't give up - you're entitled to that money!

Has anyone here actually received confirmation that their paper return was processed? I mailed mine 4 months ago to the Austin address (I'm in California) and the "Where's My Refund" tool still says "Return Not Processed" when I check. Getting really worried they lost it.

I feel your pain on this address confusion! I went through the same nightmare last year when I had to paper file. The key thing to remember is that the IRS has been consolidating processing centers, which is why you're getting conflicting info from different sources. For 2023 California returns, Sydney Torres gave you the correct addresses above. Just to reinforce: - NO payment: Austin, TX 73301-0002 - WITH payment: Cincinnati, OH 45280-2501 Pro tip: Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it was delivered. The IRS can take 6-8 weeks just to acknowledge they received a paper return, so don't panic if you don't see it in their system right away. Also, double-check that you're looking at the 2023 Form 1040 instructions, not older versions. The IRS updates these addresses periodically, and outdated info floating around online is probably why your neighbor and others are giving you different addresses. Good luck with your filing!

Just to add another data point - I received a similar Facebook settlement payment of $412 last year, also through PayPal. I never received any tax forms either. I ended up reporting it on my Schedule 1 as "Other Income" and wrote "class action settlement" in the description field. Had no issues with my return.

I just went through this exact situation with a different class action settlement! The key thing to remember is that even without a 1099 form, you're still responsible for reporting the income. I called the IRS directly (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that settlement payments like these go on Schedule 1, Line 8i as "Other Income." For documentation, I kept screenshots of my PayPal transaction, the settlement notice email, and any correspondence about the lawsuit. The IRS agent told me that's sufficient backup documentation if needed later. One tip: make sure to write a clear description like "Facebook class action settlement" on the form so it's obvious what the income source was. This helps if there are ever any questions down the road.

Ok but what about stuff thats a little more complicated? I had a situation where I sold an item on ebay on Dec 30 2024 but the money didnt hit my account until Jan 3 2025 and paypal sent me a 1099-K for 2025. But the actual sale happened in 2024. Which year is this supposed to be reported for?

Just to add another perspective on timing that might help others - retirement account withdrawals follow the same "when you receive it" rule. I had an early 401k withdrawal in late December 2024, but my former employer didn't process it until January 2025. Even though I requested it in 2024, it shows up on my 2025 1099-R because that's when I actually received the funds. This timing can actually be strategic if you're trying to manage your tax bracket - you might want to delay a withdrawal to the following year if you've already had a high-income year. Same goes for things like cashing out unused vacation days or exercising stock options. The key is always when the money hits your account or you receive the check, not when you initiated the transaction.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with something similar for my father who has a pension from the Netherlands. One thing I learned that might help - make sure to check if the Belgian pension system has any tax withholding agreements that could affect how much tax is withheld at the source. In our case, we had to file a form with the Dutch tax authorities to reduce the withholding rate based on the treaty benefits. This made the foreign tax credit calculation much cleaner on the US side. Belgium might have similar procedures that could simplify your mother-in-law's situation. Also, definitely keep detailed records of all the Belgian tax documents - not just for the current year but going back a few years. The IRS sometimes asks for historical documentation when they see foreign income reported for the first time, especially with older taxpayers who might have had unreported foreign income in previous years.

Great question about the Belgian pension! I went through this exact situation with my mother who has a pension from Ireland. A few key points that might help: First, yes, she absolutely needs to report the full pension amount on her US tax return regardless of the treaty - the IRS requires all worldwide income to be reported. But the good news is the US-Belgium tax treaty will protect her from double taxation through the foreign tax credit system. One thing I discovered that wasn't immediately obvious - make sure you're converting the pension amounts using the correct exchange rates for tax purposes. The IRS has specific guidance on this, and using the wrong conversion method can cause headaches later. Also, since she's been in the US for 3 years, double-check that she properly reported this pension income for the previous tax years too. If this is the first time it's being reported, you might want to consider filing amended returns for prior years to avoid any potential issues down the road. The TurboTax foreign income section should handle most of this, but don't hesitate to consult with a tax professional who specializes in international taxation if the situation feels complex. Belgian pensions can have some unique treaty provisions that general tax software might not catch.