That actually makes me feel better! Do you think it's worth trying to do my own taxes this year with software, or should I just stick with my tax person until my situation gets more stable? Right now I just have one job and some student loans.

With just one job and student loans, you have a perfect situation to try doing it yourself! It's actually the ideal time to learn because your taxes are relatively straightforward but you'll still learn about education credits and student loan interest deductions. I strongly recommend trying it yourself with a good tax software. You can always decide not to submit if you're uncertain and go back to your tax person. But honestly, you'll probably find it much easier than you expect, and you'll learn a ton about taxes that will benefit you for years.

Any specific channels you'd recommend? I've tried looking up tax videos before but couldn't tell which ones were actually giving good info vs just trying to sell something.

Thanks for this advice. I didn't realize there was a specific order I needed to follow. So how long does it typically take to get a sales tax permit once you apply? Can I still sell during that period or do I have to pause my store?

Most states will issue permits within 2-3 weeks, though some can take longer. You can absolutely continue selling during this period - you don't need to pause your store. You'll just need to account for any sales made before you start collecting properly. Keep good records of all sales by state during this transition period so you can accurately report them when it's time to file.

This is such a good point! I got audited because I had inventory sitting in an Amazon warehouse in California but wasn't collecting California sales tax. Cost me nearly $12k in back taxes and penalties.

Do you know if having a TA position would trigger needing a 1042-S? My department gave me a TA position but I only received a W-2.

For a TA position, it depends on how your university classifies the payment. If you're being paid as an employee for services provided, then a W-2 is the correct form. If part of your compensation is classified as a scholarship/fellowship, or if you're claiming tax treaty benefits on that income, then you would also receive a 1042-S for that portion. Some universities split TA compensation - the portion for actual teaching is reported on a W-2, while any tuition remission or stipend might be on a 1042-S. I'd recommend checking with your department's administrative office or the international student office to confirm whether they should have issued both forms or if the W-2 covers everything in your case.

You probably needed to indicate in Sprintax that you didn't receive any scholarship/fellowship or treaty benefits. There should be an option to specify that you don't have a 1042-S. I had the same issue and just had to select "No" when it asked if I received any scholarships or fellowship grants.

Would an Offer in Compromise work if I've already set up a state payment plan? Also, does this affect your credit score the same way a payment plan would?

Yes, you can still pursue an Offer in Compromise with the IRS even if you already have a state payment plan in place. The IRS will take your state tax obligations into account when evaluating your offer. In fact, having a state payment plan might strengthen your case by demonstrating your limited ability to pay. Regarding credit scores, an accepted Offer in Compromise can actually be better for your credit in the long run than a payment plan. While the tax lien itself may impact your credit, resolving the debt through an OIC shows resolution. In contrast, a long-term payment plan means you'll have outstanding debt for a much longer period. Just be aware that the OIC process can take 6-12 months, and you'll need to be compliant with all filing and payment requirements during that time.

This is terrible advice. Credit card interest rates are way higher than IRS interest rates. The IRS rate is like 7-8% right now while credit cards are 18-29%. A 401k loan is slightly better but you lose all that potential investment growth.

What about property taxes paid over the years? Do those count as part of the basis? And if she doesn't have receipts for improvements made a long time ago, is there any way to still claim them?

Property taxes paid over the years unfortunately don't increase your basis - they're either deducted as an expense in the year paid (for investment property) or taken as an itemized deduction on Schedule A (for personal property). For improvements without receipts, you're not completely out of luck. You can create a reconstruction of costs using reasonable estimates. Take photos of the improvements, get statements from contractors who did the work if possible, or find comparable costs for similar improvements during the same time period. The IRS prefers documentation, but they recognize that records from many years ago might not be available. Just be reasonable with your estimates and be prepared to explain your methodology if questioned.

The capital gains tax rates are the same for vacant land vs. houses - it's based on your income and how long you've owned it, not the type of property. The big difference is you can't claim the primary residence exclusion ($250k/$500k) on vacant land since nobody lived there. Also, undeveloped land typically has fewer improvements you can add to the basis compared to a house where you might have done renovations, replaced a roof, etc. But things like clearing, grading, utility connections, surveys, and access roads still count!