How do you track stuff that you've held for years across multiple platforms? I've got some stocks I originally bought in 2018 on Robinhood, transferred to Fidelity in 2021, and then sold this year. No idea how to verify the correct cost basis with all those moves.

You need to keep your original purchase confirmations and transfer documentation. Any time you transfer assets between brokerages, print or save PDF copies of your statements showing the cost basis information before the transfer happens. For your specific situation, log into your old Robinhood account and download your account statements from 2018 that show the original purchase prices. Even if you've closed the account, you should still have access to your tax documents for several years. Then compare those original costs with what Fidelity is reporting on your 1099-B this year. If there's a discrepancy, you'll need to manually correct it on Form 8949 when filing your taxes.

Thanks for the real-world example! Did the IRS ever question any of your trades or ask for more documentation? I'm worried about audit risk with so many transactions.

The earned income credit is available in the free version too though, I got it last year. But you're right about the medical expenses - the free version barely mentions them.

Good point about the earned income credit being available in the free version too. I think the difference is that the Plus version does a better job explaining who qualifies and walks you through more scenarios. For the medical expenses, that's where Plus really shines. The free version doesn't give you the detailed guidance on what baby-related medical expenses qualify. Things like lactation consultant fees, specialized formula if medically required, and even part of your mileage to pediatrician visits can add up. The threshold for medical expenses is 7.5% of your AGI, so having a comprehensive list helps reach that number.

Theres also something called a "tie-breaker" rule in most tax treaties that helps determine which country gets primary taxing rights when both claim you. Usually comes down to where you have stronger personal connections, permanent home, etc.

You're absolutely right about the tie-breaker rules. They're crucial in these situations. Most treaties follow a hierarchy of tests: permanent home first, then center of vital interests (personal/economic connections), then habitual abode, and finally nationality. For a company, the tie-breaker often comes down to where the effective management is located - which in the original poster's case would likely be New Zealand since that's where the actual decision-makers are physically located, regardless of where the company is registered.

How much does an international tax accountant usually cost? I'm in a similar boat with income from three different countries and I'm terrified of getting it wrong, but also worried about the cost.

Do you need to have a separate phone for this to work, or can you deduct part of your regular personal phone? Also, how do you actually document the business use percentage?

You don't need a separate phone - you can deduct a percentage of your regular phone bill based on how much you use it for business purposes. For documenting the percentage, it's mostly about being reasonable and consistent with your estimate. I keep a simple log for a few weeks each year showing how many hours I use my phone for work versus personal use. Some people also look at their data usage from the delivery apps compared to overall usage. The key is having some method to back up your percentage if questioned, but it doesn't have to be super complicated. Just don't claim 90% business use if you're only doing deliveries part-time!

Thanks for mentioning this! I actually have bought some decent equipment - two insulated bags (around $45 total), a cup holder organizer ($20), and one of those phone mounts that clip to the air vent ($15). I didn't even think about deducting those. I'll definitely keep the receipts for all that stuff now!

Do you know if the father claiming them before will cause problems even if he never had the legal right to do so? My cousin let her parents claim her kid but now she wants to claim him herself.

If the grandfather claimed the children in previous years without having the legal right to do so (meaning without meeting the dependency tests or having proper documentation), then yes, it could potentially cause some questions when your cousin claims her own child. However, this doesn't mean she shouldn't claim her own child if she's legally entitled to. The IRS might send notices asking for clarification if they see a pattern change, but if your cousin is the custodial parent and meets all the tests for claiming her child, she should be able to claim them without issue. She should just be prepared to provide documentation showing that the child lives with her if asked. This could include school records, medical records, or other official documents showing the child's residence.

I used TurboTax last year for a somewhat similar situation with my girlfriend's kids. The key is to answer their questions literally and not overthink it. When they ask if someone "can" claim you as a dependent, that's a legal question about whether anyone meets the tests to claim you, not whether someone actually will claim you. Make sure to go through their special situations section too if your standard living arrangement doesn't fit their initial questions. It gets more detailed there.