This is such a comprehensive discussion! I'm currently helping my nephew (who's 16) navigate a similar TIN situation for his gaming content across multiple platforms, not just TikTok. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that different platforms sometimes have slightly different requirements for TIN verification. For example, YouTube's Partner Program, Twitch's Affiliate Program, and TikTok's Creator Fund all require tax information, but they may accept it in different formats or have different thresholds. If you're planning to monetize across multiple platforms (which most successful creators do), it's worth understanding these differences upfront. Some platforms are more flexible with custodial arrangements, while others are stricter about whose name the account is registered under. Also, since you mentioned investing so much time in growing your account - don't forget that even if you can't join the Creator Fund immediately, there are other monetization options that might not have the same TIN requirements, like brand partnerships or selling merchandise. These could help you start earning while you sort out the formal tax documentation. The custodial account approach that others suggested really is the most straightforward path though. Just make sure whichever parent helps you is prepared for the tax implications and comfortable managing that side of things!

I'm really glad to see such a thorough discussion about navigating TIN requirements as a minor creator! As someone who's dealt with various tax situations in the content creation space, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help. First, whichever route you choose (custodial account, LLC with parent involvement, etc.), make sure to set up a separate business bank account from day one. Even if it's under your parent's name, having dedicated business banking makes everything cleaner for tax reporting and helps establish legitimacy with platforms. Second, consider getting familiar with quarterly estimated tax payments early. Once your TikTok income gets substantial, the IRS expects taxes to be paid throughout the year, not just at year-end. Your parent (if they're handling the TIN) will need to understand this to avoid penalties. Finally, document everything about your content creation process - time spent, expenses, income sources, etc. This creates a clear paper trail showing this is legitimate business activity, which helps if you ever face questions from platforms or tax authorities. The custodial approach really is the most straightforward path for your situation. Just make sure both you and your parent understand the ongoing responsibilities, not just the initial setup. Good luck with your Creator Fund application!

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation! Just moved to Portugal last week and received my FICA refund check ($892) yesterday. After reading through everyone's incredibly thorough experiences here, I'm absolutely convinced the official IRS reissue route is the only sensible approach. I contacted the US Consulate in Lisbon today, and they confirmed they offer the free residence verification letter service that so many others have mentioned. The consular officer also strongly warned about the fraud investigation risks with unofficial deposit methods - apparently Treasury has really cracked down on this lately. My Portuguese bank (Millennium BCP) quoted me €35 in fees plus 6-8 weeks processing time for US Treasury checks, making the official reissue route much more practical both financially and timeline-wise. Based on all the excellent advice shared here, I'm planning to send Forms 8822, 3911, and 911 along with copies of my passport, Portuguese residence card, and the consulate verification letter via FedEx with full tracking next week. The shipping cost is definitely justified for an $892 refund. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - the collective wisdom about navigating the legitimate government process has made what seemed like a stressful situation completely manageable. Even though 6-10 weeks feels long when you're getting settled abroad, it's clearly the smartest approach to avoid complications. Thanks to everyone who shared their detailed experiences with the official channels!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Just moved to Italy two weeks ago and received my FICA refund check ($634) yesterday. After reading through all these incredibly detailed experiences, I'm completely convinced that the official IRS reissue route is the only safe and practical approach. I contacted the US Consulate in Rome today, and they confirmed they provide the free residence verification letter service that many others have mentioned. They also emphasized the same fraud investigation risks with unofficial deposit methods - the consular officer mentioned they've had to assist several Americans who encountered problems after attempting workarounds with Treasury checks. My Italian bank (UniCredit) quoted me €32 in processing fees plus 5-7 weeks clearing time for US Treasury checks, which makes the official reissue route more cost-effective and potentially even faster. Based on everyone's comprehensive experiences shared here, I'm planning to send Forms 8822, 3911, and 911 along with copies of my passport, Italian permesso di soggiorno, and the consulate verification letter via DHL with full tracking next week. The shipping investment is definitely worth it for a $634 refund. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - the collective knowledge about navigating the legitimate government process has transformed what initially seemed like a stressful situation into something completely manageable. Even though waiting 6-10 weeks isn't ideal when you're settling into a new country, it's clearly the smartest approach to avoid any potential complications. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their detailed experiences with the official channels!

I'm also dealing with the Maryland refund delays! Filed on February 7th and just hit the 7-week mark with still nothing but "being processed" status. I'm in Baltimore City and this is definitely the longest I've ever waited for a state refund - usually get it within 2-3 weeks. What's really frustrating is that I had to pay estimated taxes throughout the year due to some freelance work, so this refund represents overpayments I made. Called the comptroller's office yesterday and they basically said the same thing everyone else is hearing - massive backlog, enhanced fraud detection, no specific timeline available. The rep did mention that they're prioritizing based on filing date but that some systems upgrades earlier this year caused additional delays. Based on all the timelines shared here, I'm cautiously optimistic I might see something in the next week since other early February filers are finally getting theirs. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps with the anxiety of wondering if something went wrong with my return!

I'm also waiting on my Maryland refund and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Filed on March 1st and approaching the 4-week mark with the usual "being processed" status. I'm in Frederick County and this is my second year filing Maryland taxes after moving from Pennsylvania. Last year I got my refund in about 18 days, so this extended wait has been surprising. What's particularly frustrating is that I have a very simple return - just W-2 income, standard deduction, and married filing jointly status. Called the comptroller's office earlier this week and was told they're experiencing "unprecedented volume" this year due to enhanced security measures. The representative couldn't provide any timeline but mentioned they're working through returns in chronological order. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like I should expect at least another 2-3 weeks given that early February filers are just now getting their deposits. I've switched to checking my bank account each morning around 6:30 AM instead of relying on their tracker since everyone says it's completely unreliable. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines - it makes the wait much more bearable knowing this is affecting so many people!

I've been following this thread closely since I'm having the exact same issue! After reading everyone's suggestions, I wanted to share what I'm planning to try and maybe we can update each other on what works. My approach is going to be: 1. First, try the early morning submission (around 5-6 AM) with a completely clean browser and wired internet connection 2. If that fails, use the taxr.ai tool to check for any hidden validation errors that might be causing the IRS system rejection 3. As a last resort, consider switching to TaxAct or using the Claimyr service to get through to OLT support What's really helpful about this thread is seeing that this isn't just a "wait it out" situation - there are actual technical issues and data validation problems that can be fixed. The fact that @Chloe Green and @Mila Walker had success with taxr.ai after struggling with the same submission freezing gives me hope. I'll report back on what works for me. In the meantime, has anyone tried contacting their bank or credit card company about getting a refund from OLT if we end up having to use a different platform? Seems unfair to pay twice for the same tax filing.

I'm experiencing the exact same freezing issue with OLT! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea so many others were dealing with this problem. Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like there are multiple potential causes: server overload during peak hours, hidden validation errors in our tax data, browser/connection issues, or even antivirus software interference. I'm going to try @Admin_Masters suggestion about completely clearing all browser data first, then attempt submission during early morning hours like @Zoe Gonzalez recommended. If that doesn't work, the taxr.ai tool that helped @Chloe Green and @Mila Walker seems worth trying to identify any data validation issues that OLT isn't catching. Has anyone had success with OLT's live chat feature, or is phone support the only way to reach them? I noticed their website mentions live chat during business hours, but I haven't seen anyone mention trying that route yet. Really appreciate everyone sharing their troubleshooting experiences - it's reassuring to know this isn't just user error on our part!

Has anyone used TurboTax to handle something like this? I'm in a similar situation but worried it won't handle the home sale loss correctly.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - bought my house 10 months ago and need to sell due to my company relocating me. The advice here about primary residence losses not being deductible is spot on, but I wanted to add something that might help with your basis calculation. Make sure you're including ALL the costs that can be added to your basis, not just the obvious closing costs. Things like title insurance, recording fees, transfer taxes, and even some of the loan origination fees can be added to your purchase basis. On the selling side, realtor commissions, title fees, and other selling expenses reduce your realized gain (or increase your loss). Since you mentioned you're at around a $25k total loss after all expenses, you're definitely in personal loss territory that won't be deductible. But at least documenting everything properly will ensure you're not accidentally creating a taxable gain when you shouldn't have one. The job transfer angle mentioned by others is definitely worth exploring for the partial exclusion, even though you probably won't need it given your situation.