Just wanted to add something that might help others - when you're dealing with excess FICA from multiple employers under the same parent company, make sure to check if any of the companies issued corrected W-2s after year-end. I had a similar situation where one of the three entities my spouse worked for automatically issued a W-2c (corrected W-2) in March that reduced the Social Security wages to account for the excess. This actually reduced our excess FICA amount by about $800, so we had to recalculate our Form 843 before submitting. Also, if you're using tax software like FreeTaxUSA, TurboTax, etc., most of them will automatically calculate excess FICA and include it as a credit on your regular tax return if the software detects it. But this only works if you had two employers max - if you had three or more employers like in your case, you'll likely need to file the separate Form 843. The IRS processing center addresses are definitely state-specific, so don't just use a generic IRS address. For most states, you'll be mailing to either Ogden, UT; Kansas City, MO; or Austin, TX depending on your location.

I had to deal with this exact situation last year when my company restructured and split payroll between different subsidiaries mid-year. The excess FICA refund process through Form 843 was actually pretty straightforward once I figured out the correct procedures. A few important points that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. **Timing matters** - You generally have 3 years from the date you filed your original return (or 2 years from when you paid the tax, whichever is later) to claim a refund for excess FICA. Don't wait too long! 2. **Interest on refunds** - The IRS actually pays interest on Form 843 refunds if they take longer than 45 days to process. It's not much, but it's something. 3. **Amended returns vs Form 843** - Some tax professionals will tell you to file an amended return (Form 1040X) instead of Form 843 for excess FICA, but Form 843 is specifically designed for this situation and tends to process faster. 4. **Record keeping** - Keep detailed records of when you mailed Form 843, including copies of everything. If there are any issues or delays, having this documentation will be crucial when you need to follow up. The processing time really varies - I've seen people get refunds in 6 weeks and others wait 4+ months. The key is making sure your form is filled out completely and accurately the first time to avoid any back-and-forth with the IRS.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - been in the US on F1 since 2018 and just realized I need to file as a resident alien this year. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: when you transition to resident alien status, make sure to double-check that your university's international student services office updates their records. Mine was still sending me reminders to use Sprintax even though I had already passed the substantial presence test. Also, if you have any income from your home country (like interest from bank accounts or freelance work), you'll need to report that now as worldwide income. I almost missed this since I was used to only reporting US-source income on the 1040-NR. The education credits are definitely a nice benefit of the status change though - I'm getting back way more in refunds than I ever did as a non-resident! Has anyone dealt with state taxes during this transition? I'm wondering if the rules are similar at the state level or if it varies by state.

I went through this exact same transition last year! The confusion is totally normal - I remember feeling overwhelmed when Sprintax suddenly redirected me to TurboTax after 5 years. Just to add to what others have said, make sure you keep good documentation of your transition year. I created a folder with: - Screenshots from Sprintax showing the redirect message - A copy of my substantial presence test calculation - Documentation showing my F1 status dates This helped me feel more confident about the filing and gave me records in case I ever needed to explain the status change. The IRS Publication 519 (U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens) has a great section on the substantial presence test if you want to double-check your calculations. Also, don't forget that as a resident alien, you might now be eligible for the standard deduction if you weren't itemizing before. Between that and the education credits, your tax situation probably improved significantly compared to filing as a non-resident. The $28k in tuition should qualify you for a substantial American Opportunity Credit if you meet the other requirements. Welcome to the world of resident alien filing - it's actually much better than the non-resident process once you get used to it!

I've been through this process multiple times with my ex's tax refunds getting offset for back child support. You'll definitely get the money eventually, but be prepared for a frustrating wait of about 6-10 weeks from his deposit date. The process is: IRS intercepts → Treasury Offset Program → Your state child support agency → You. Each step takes 1-3 weeks and there's basically no way to track it between agencies, which is the most annoying part. A few things that helped me: - Call your state's child support office around week 3 and ask specifically about "federal tax offset status" (not just general back support questions) - Double-check your address and direct deposit info is current - offset payments sometimes pull from different records than regular support - Set up any available email/text alerts through your state's child support portal - Don't count on the full refund amount - expect $25-50 in processing fees to be deducted The waiting period where nobody can tell you where the money is will drive you crazy, but every offset I've received has eventually come through. In my state (Oregon), it usually takes about 7-8 weeks total. Just try to be patient and don't spend the money before it actually hits your account!

I went through this same situation last year and the waiting was absolutely nerve-wracking! In my case (Illinois), it took about 9 weeks from when my ex's refund was supposed to hit his account to when I actually received the offset payment. The process is frustratingly slow because the money has to pass through multiple agencies: IRS → Treasury Offset Program → State child support enforcement → You. Each step can take 2-3 weeks and there's basically no visibility while it's in transit between systems. What helped me manage the process: - I called my state's child support office at the 4-week mark and asked specifically about "Treasury Offset Program status" (they were more helpful when I used that exact terminology) - Made sure all my contact info was updated since I learned offset payments can pull from different records than regular support - Set up text alerts through my state's online portal so I'd get notified immediately when they processed it The amount was about $52 less than his original refund due to processing fees, but honestly I was just relieved to finally get some of what he owed in back support. The worst part is definitely that period where nobody can tell you where the money is - it's like it just vanishes into the system for weeks. Hang in there! Every offset I've dealt with has eventually come through, even when it took longer than expected. Just don't count on any specific timeline or amount until it actually hits your account.

I've been through the amended return process twice in recent years and can definitely confirm what everyone is saying about the extended timelines! Here's my experience: **My Processing Times:** - 2022 amendment (e-filed): 24 weeks - 2023 amendment (e-filed): 21 weeks Both took significantly longer than the IRS's 16-week estimate, but e-filing definitely helped compared to paper filing horror stories I've heard from friends. **A few additional tips from my experience:** **Interest calculations:** If you're amending because you owe additional tax (like with your freelance income), the IRS calculates interest from the original due date of that return. So for your 2023 amendment, interest would start from April 15, 2024. Pay the additional amount when you file the amendment to stop the interest clock - don't wait for processing! **Multiple amendments:** Since you mentioned this is your third amendment, just be extra thorough with your documentation. In my experience, the IRS doesn't necessarily flag repeat amenders, but having complete records definitely helps avoid any follow-up requests that could delay things further. **Status checking:** The "Where's My Amended Return" tool is pretty much useless for real updates. I learned to check maybe once a month just to maintain some sanity. It typically stays on "received" for months, then suddenly jumps to "completed." **Current year filing:** Definitely don't wait to file your 2024 return! These are processed in completely separate systems and there's no benefit to delaying your regular return. The waiting is honestly the hardest part, but at least you caught the error and are handling it properly. Set your expectations for 5-6 months and try to forget about it until then!

I can definitely relate to this situation! I've filed two amended returns in the past three years and the processing times are unfortunately much longer than regular returns. My experience: - 2022 amendment: Filed in April, processed in October (26 weeks) - 2023 amendment: Filed in January, processed in July (27 weeks) Both were e-filed, which I'd highly recommend over paper filing. The "Where's My Amended Return" tool was basically worthless - it showed "received" for months, then suddenly updated to "completed" after I'd already received my refund check. A few things I learned: - Plan for 6+ months, not the 16 weeks the IRS claims - E-file if your tax software supports it (most do now) - Don't delay your 2024 return - file it on schedule regardless of your pending amendment - If you owe additional tax from the amendment, pay it when you file to avoid interest charges The waiting is definitely frustrating, but at least you're catching and correcting the error. Since this is your third amendment, I'd suggest being extra thorough with documentation for that freelance income - having everything well-organized can help avoid any follow-up requests that might delay processing even more. Good luck with the process! Set it and try to forget about it for a few months.

Just a quick tip - make sure you pay the additional tax owed from that 1099 income ASAP, even before filing the second amendment. You'll minimize any interest and penalties that way. The IRS charges interest from the original due date of the return until you pay, regardless of when you discover the error. You can make a payment online using IRS Direct Pay and select "amended return" as the reason.

As someone who's been through the multiple amendment process myself, I want to emphasize that you should definitely include a detailed cover letter with your second 1040-X explaining the entire timeline. Something like "Filed original return with W-2 from main job only → Received forgotten W-2, filed first amendment → Now received unexpected 1099-NEC, filing second amendment." The IRS processors really appreciate this clarity, especially when amendments are filed close together. Also, since you're dealing with babysitting income, make sure you understand that this is typically considered self-employment income even if it was casual work. You'll need to file Schedule SE for the self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes), which adds about 15.3% on top of your regular income tax. One more thing - consider making an estimated payment now for the additional taxes owed. Interest accrues from the original April deadline regardless of when you discovered the error, so paying early can save you money even before your amendment is processed.