That's a really good point about local taxes - I hadn't even considered that yet. Do you know if Florida has any significant local taxes I should be watching for? Also, what exactly is an "annual report requirement"? Is that different from the tax filing itself?

Florida doesn't have many problematic local taxes that apply to out-of-state businesses, so you're fairly lucky there. Some counties have their own small business taxes, but they typically only apply if you have physical presence in that county. Annual reports are separate from tax filings. Once you register to do business in a state (called "foreign qualification"), most states require you to file an annual report and pay a fee to maintain your good standing. It's basically just confirming your business information is current and paying to maintain your authorization to do business there. In Florida, it's due by May 1st each year, and the fee varies based on your entity type. If you forget to file these reports, some states can administratively dissolve your registration, which can affect your ability to sue in that state or access their court system.

Which states did this happen in? I'm in a similar situation and trying to avoid surprises!

Do you know if you can claim this refund if you're not required to file a US tax return otherwise? I'm in a similar situation (small dividend after moving) but don't have any other US income to report.

Yes, you can still claim a refund even if you're not otherwise required to file a US return. You would file Form 1040-NR specifically to claim the refund of overwithholding. For small amounts, you'll need to decide if it's worth the effort. The form isn't particularly complicated, but you'll need to include a copy of your 1042-S showing the withholding and explain that you're eligible for the lower treaty rate. Some people find it's not worth the hassle if the refund amount is very small.

This is a good point. Would the broker still provide an accurate cost basis on the 1099-B for those reinvested shares even if the account holder is now a non-resident alien?

Does this apply to social media influencers? My cat has an Instagram with 10k followers and I occasionally get free products to post about. Could the vet bills be a business expense if he's technically generating income?

That's actually a great question about social media pets. It could potentially qualify if you've properly set up a business entity and your pet's social media presence generates regular income that you report on your taxes. You'd need to treat it like a legitimate business with proper bookkeeping showing the connection between the pet's health and your business income. If you're only occasionally receiving free products but not actually reporting income from this activity, it would be much harder to justify as a business expense. The IRS looks for regular, ongoing business activity with the intent to make a profit, not just hobby activities.

Your accountant gave you incorrect information. FSAs and HSAs are specifically for qualified human medical expenses only. Using these accounts for pet expenses would violate IRS rules and could result in penalties. You might want to double-check this with another tax professional.

Thanks! Is there any difference feature-wise between the download version and online version if I go with Deluxe? Also, do you know if the download version includes a state filing or is that extra?

The download version and online version have essentially the same features for each tier, but the pricing structure is different. The download is a one-time purchase that you install on your computer, while the online version is a subscription service. Most people find the online version more convenient, but the download can be cheaper. State filing is almost always an additional cost regardless of which version you choose. The download versions typically charge around $40 per state, which is separate from the federal filing cost. Some retailers occasionally offer bundle deals that include one state filing, but that's not common - always check the packaging details to confirm what's included.

I would second this. Premier is only about $20-30 more than Deluxe and well worth it if you have investments. I've used it for years and the investment import feature works much better with Premier than with Deluxe.

Thanks for the tip! Guess I'll go with Premier to be safe. I do have some crypto I forgot to mention, plus stocks across three different platforms. Don't want to get stuck with upgrade fees at the end.

This is actually good advice. I had selected paper check on my return but they sent direct deposit anyway using my bank info from the previous year. Worth checking both!

I just tried but couldn't create an account because they want me to verify identity with a credit card or loan number and I don't have either of those right now. Seems like there's no easy way to get info from the IRS unless you're already financially established. So frustrating!