Has anyone tried using tools like MyTaxBill or USAFacts? They're not perfect but they do break down federal spending pretty well. I was surprised to learn how much of my taxes actually go to things I do support, even though there are definitely programs I disagree with. I think the closest we get to having a "say" is voting for representatives who align with our spending priorities. Contacting your representatives directly about specific budget items can sometimes have an impact too, especially if enough constituents do it.

I totally get your frustration - it's maddening to pay tens of thousands in taxes and feel like you have zero control over how it's spent. While we can't currently direct our tax dollars to specific programs, there are actually some interesting developments happening at the local level that might give you hope. Several cities have experimented with participatory budgeting where residents vote on how to allocate portions of municipal budgets. Boston, Chicago, and New York have all tried versions of this. The results have been mixed, but it shows there's growing interest in giving taxpayers more direct input. At the federal level, you might want to look into organizations like the National Taxpayers Union or Citizens Against Government Waste - they advocate for more transparency and taxpayer control over government spending. Even if we can't choose where our money goes right now, organized advocacy can push for reforms that might give us more say in the future. In the meantime, I've found that really understanding where my money currently goes (through tools like the ones others mentioned) at least helps me feel less frustrated about the unknown aspects of it.

As someone who also just moved to the US recently, I want to add that it's really important to keep track of ALL your tax documents from your first year here. Beyond just your W-2, make sure you save records of any foreign income you might have earned before arriving in the US, especially if you're from a country that has a tax treaty with the US. Also, if you opened any US bank accounts that earned interest (even just a few dollars), you'll get 1099-INT forms that you'll need for filing. I made the mistake of not keeping track of a small savings account and had to scramble to get the documents later. One more tip - if you're planning to stay in the US long-term, consider getting familiar with tax software or services now while your situation is relatively simple. It only gets more complicated as you establish more financial ties here (buying a house, investing, etc.).

Welcome to the US tax system! As others have mentioned, you'll likely need to file even with just one month of work if you had any federal taxes withheld from your paychecks - filing will get you a refund of those withheld amounts. Since you just moved here, your tax situation is a bit more complex than a typical filer. You'll probably be classified as a "dual-status alien" for 2024, meaning you were a nonresident for part of the year and a resident for part of the year. This affects which forms you use and how you calculate your tax liability. A few key things to remember as a newcomer: - Keep all your immigration documents handy when filing - If you had any income in your home country before moving, you may need to report that too - Check if your home country has a tax treaty with the US - this could provide some benefits - Don't forget about state taxes if your state has them The IRS Publication 519 "U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens" is specifically designed for situations like yours and covers all the special rules that apply to new residents. It's a bit dense but very comprehensive. Good luck with your first US tax filing!

One thing I do every year is use the official IRS Free File lookup tool to see what options I qualify for: https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/ Even if you make too much to qualify for free filing, it's a good starting point for finding legitimate providers since they all have to meet IRS security standards to be part of the program. The bottom line is if a site is too small to be listed anywhere on IRS.gov in some capacity, I personally wouldn't trust them with my SSN and financial data, no matter how cheap they are. Not worth the risk of identity theft!

Great advice in this thread! I'd also recommend checking the Better Business Bureau rating and looking at recent complaint patterns. Sometimes a company can be IRS-authorized but still have terrible customer service or billing practices. One red flag I've learned to watch for: sites that require you to enter all your personal info (SSN, bank details, etc.) before showing you the final price breakdown. Legitimate services should give you a clear fee structure upfront based on your tax situation, not hold pricing hostage until you've already committed your data. Also worth noting - if you're military, many of the major tax prep companies offer free filing regardless of income level. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs are another free option if you have a straightforward return and want in-person help from IRS-certified volunteers.

How long has it been since you filed? Are you checking account daily? Did you have credits on your return? Need answers fast. Planning my budget around this.

I can relate to the anxiety of waiting! Filed 2 weeks ago and have been in the same boat - checking transcript multiple times daily with no updates. Based on what others are sharing here, it sounds like this timing mismatch happens more often than I thought. The key takeaway seems to be that IRS systems aren't always synchronized, so refunds can be processed and deposited before transcripts reflect the changes. Though Keisha's warning about potential adjustments is definitely something to keep in mind - might be worth keeping that refund money untouched for a few weeks just in case there are any corrections needed later.

This is such a complex situation! I went through something similar when my spouse and I had jobs in different states. One thing that really helped us was keeping detailed records of everything - days spent in each state, where we voted, which state our driver's licenses were in, etc. The employment situation with your wife potentially switching from salary to contract work is interesting - that could actually impact the tax analysis significantly since contract income is treated differently than W-2 income for state tax purposes. You might want to run the numbers both ways (her staying salaried in NJ vs. becoming a contractor) to see which scenario is more tax-advantageous overall. Also, don't forget about things like voter registration and car registration - these can be factors that states use to determine your "true" domicile if there's ever a question. Make sure whatever you choose is consistent across all your official documents.

As someone who's dealt with multi-state tax situations, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help early in the process rather than trying to figure this out on your own. The interplay between federal filing status, state residency rules, and employment classification can get incredibly complex. A few specific things to consider for your situation: 1. **Timing matters**: Since you're moving in April, you'll need to track exactly when you establish Colorado residency (often based on when you get a CO driver's license, register to vote, etc.). This affects your partial-year resident status in both states. 2. **Your wife's employment status**: If she switches to contract work, she'll need to pay self-employment taxes AND deal with quarterly estimated payments. This could significantly impact your cash flow and overall tax burden compared to staying on salary. 3. **Reciprocity agreements**: Check if NJ and CO have any tax agreements that might simplify your filing requirements or prevent double taxation on certain types of income. 4. **School district implications**: Since your daughter is finishing the school year in NJ, make sure your residency decisions don't inadvertently affect her enrollment status or create issues for next year in Colorado. I'd suggest consulting with a CPA who specializes in multi-state taxation before making any final decisions about filing status or your wife's employment classification. The upfront cost could save you thousands in the long run.