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One thing to watch out for - if you ever travel to the US and work while physically present there (even remotely on your Bolivian business), that income becomes US-taxable! I made this mistake during a 2-month trip to Miami where I continued serving clients. Ended up having to file a US non-resident return (1040NR) and pay US taxes on that portion of my income. Keep track of where you are physically located when performing services, as that can affect your tax situation regardless of where your clients or business are based.
Great thread everyone! As someone who's been running a digital consulting business from Bolivia for the past 3 years serving US clients, I can confirm most of what's been shared here is spot-on. One additional tip I'd add: make sure you understand Bolivia's "RΓ©gimen General" vs "RΓ©gimen Simplificado" thresholds. If your annual revenue exceeds around $87,000 USD equivalent, you'll need to register for the general regime which has different VAT and income tax requirements. The simplified regime is much easier to manage for smaller operations. Also, regarding invoicing - I've found it helpful to create a hybrid invoice format that satisfies both countries. I use the official SIN electronic invoicing system for the Bolivian factura, but I include English descriptions and additional details that my US clients need for their accounting. This way I only need to send one document that covers both requirements. For banking, I second the recommendation for Wise - their multi-currency accounts are perfect for this situation. You can receive USD payments and convert to bolivianos at better rates than traditional banks when needed. The key is staying organized with documentation from day one. Keep records of where you physically perform work, maintain proper invoicing for both countries, and don't be afraid to invest in professional help when needed. The tax compliance is manageable once you get the systems in place!
The Tax Topic 152 message after verification is definitely a positive sign! I went through this exact situation last year - verified in person and then waited what felt like forever for transcripts to update. From my experience and what I've seen here, you're looking at roughly 2-4 weeks for transcript updates after getting that 152 message. The key thing is that your return is now in the normal processing queue, which is huge progress from being stuck in verification limbo. A few things that helped me stay sane during the wait: - Transcripts typically update overnight Thursday into Friday - Don't check more than once a week - it won't speed things up and just adds stress - When transcripts do update, they usually show everything at once including your DDD (Direct Deposit Date) The fact that WMR updated already is actually faster than some people experience. Try to be patient (easier said than done, I know!) - your refund is coming, the IRS just moves at their own glacial pace. Hang in there!
I'm in almost the exact same situation! Verified in person on 3/12 and just got the Tax Topic 152 message yesterday. My transcripts are still completely blank too, which was making me panic that something went wrong with the verification process. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring - sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty typical for transcripts to update after getting that delayed processing message. I was worried that the blank transcripts meant my verification didn't work, but it seems like that's just how slow their systems are. Going to try checking transcripts on Friday mornings like Sofia suggested rather than obsessively checking every day. The waiting is brutal when you're counting on that money, but at least we're past the verification hurdle now. Thanks for posting this - it's helping me feel less alone in this process!
Has anyone used TurboTax for this kind of situation? I have a similar issue with RSUs vesting after leaving the US and I'm wondering if regular tax software can handle it or if I need to hire a specialist.
I went through this exact situation last year! As a former F1 visa holder now living in Canada, I can confirm that you typically don't need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on stock vestings that occur after you've left the US. The key points for your situation: 1. You'll need to file Form 1040-NR as a non-resident alien 2. Report the stock vesting income, but FICA taxes generally don't apply since you're no longer providing services in the US 3. Definitely look into the US-Canada tax treaty provisions - you may be able to claim treaty benefits to reduce your US tax burden 4. On your Canadian return, you'll report this as foreign income and can likely claim a foreign tax credit for any US taxes paid The stock vesting is considered compensation for work you performed while in the US, but since you had the F1 FICA exemption when you earned it, that exemption typically carries forward. Just make sure you're properly documenting your non-resident status and the dates when you left the US. I'd recommend keeping detailed records of when you left the US, your visa status history, and all stock vesting documents. This will be helpful if you ever need to explain your tax position to either the IRS or CRA.
This is really helpful! I'm new to dealing with international tax issues and this community has been a lifesaver. Quick question - when you mention "properly documenting your non-resident status," what specific documents should I be keeping? I have my I-94 departure record and my last paystub from the US, but I'm not sure if there's anything else I should be maintaining for tax purposes. Also, did you run into any issues with the CRA when reporting this as foreign income? I'm worried about how to properly convert the USD amounts and whether there are any specific forms I need to file on the Canadian side.
Don't forget about the impacts on your credit! A levy or ongoing tax debt can seriously damage your credit score, which might also affect your visa process since they often look at financial stability. As soon as you get on a payment plan, request a withdrawal of any filed Notice of Federal Tax Lien (Form 12277). This can help repair your credit faster. The lien withdrawal doesn't remove your obligation to pay the debt, but it removes the public notice which hurts your credit.
I'm sorry you're going through this stressful situation. A few additional things to consider that might help: Since you mentioned your health condition, make sure to gather all your medical expense documentation. The IRS has provisions for financial hardship due to medical issues, and this could strengthen your case for an installment agreement or even Currently Not Collectible status. Also, regarding your K1 visa concerns - you're right to be worried about income requirements. When you call the IRS, specifically mention that you're sponsoring someone for immigration and ask them to note this in your file. Having an active payment plan is much better than an unresolved levy for immigration purposes, as it shows you're taking responsibility for your obligations. One more thing - after you get your payment plan set up, consider consulting with an Enrolled Agent or tax attorney who specializes in tax debt resolution. Many offer free consultations and can review your situation to see if you qualify for additional relief options you might not know about. The most important thing is to act quickly. Don't wait until after the levy hits - call first thing Monday morning. You still have options, and the IRS would rather work with you than go through the levy process. Stay organized, be honest about your situation, and don't be afraid to ask about all available relief programs.
Amara Adeyemi
Did you file electronically or paper? Paper takes wayyy longer
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StarSurfer
β’e-filed through turbotax
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Amara Adeyemi
β’should be faster then. hang in there!
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Giovanni Rossi
This happened to me too! The "Verification of Non-Filing" status is super confusing when you know you filed. What helped me was checking my Account Transcript instead of just the Return Transcript - sometimes it shows different info. Also make sure your SSN and filing status match exactly what you put on your return. If everything looks right, it's probably just a processing delay. The IRS systems are honestly pretty outdated and sometimes take forever to sync up. Keep checking every few days and it should eventually update to show your actual return info.
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