I know this is a bit off-topic, but make sure you're also checking if you need to file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) if your US financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the year. That requirement is separate from income tax filing and applies to many non-residents with US accounts regardless of whether you owe any tax.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and can confirm what others have said about the 183-day rule. Since you had zero days of US presence, your capital gains from stock sales are not subject to US taxation as a non-resident alien. However, I'd strongly recommend keeping detailed records of your physical presence (or lack thereof) in the US. I maintained a simple spreadsheet with dates, locations, and even flight records showing I never entered the US that tax year. This documentation proved invaluable when I later had questions about my filing position. One thing to consider: if you had any taxes withheld at source on dividends or other income during the year, filing a 1040NR might actually get you a refund. But for pure capital gains with no US presence, you're correct that filing isn't required. Just make sure you understand the distinction between different types of income from your brokerage account.

Anyone know if this applies to scholarships as well? I received merit scholarships that exceeded my tuition, and the excess was refunded to me. Used it for apartment rent near campus. Never reported it because I thought scholarships were tax-free...

I'm going through this same issue right now! My community college gave me Pell Grant refunds of about $2700 each semester that I used for my car payment. I'm filling out my taxes right now - where exactly on the 1040 do I report this income? Under "Other income" on Schedule 1?

Before you go crazy trying to find old W-2s, check if you can access your Social Security account online at ssa.gov. They keep records of all reported wages that had Social Security taxes withheld. It won't have your withholding info, but it will at least show you where you worked and how much you made each year, which is a good starting point.

I went through this exact same situation about 3 years ago! First thing - breathe. You're not going to jail and this is way more common than you think. Here's my step-by-step approach that worked for me: 1. Start with the IRS online transcript request (yes, you'll need to verify through ID.me but it's worth it). This will show you exactly what employers reported for each year. 2. Focus on 2022-2024 first since those are the years you can still get refunds for. Don't stress about earlier years right now - get current first. 3. For missing W-2s, try contacting HR departments first. Even if a company closed, their payroll records often transfer to successor companies or payroll services. I was shocked how many "closed" businesses still had my records. 4. If you're feeling overwhelmed, definitely consider the free VITA program mentioned earlier. They helped me file 3 years of back taxes for free and were incredibly patient. The key thing to remember: if you were always having taxes withheld and making under $18K, you were almost certainly due refunds every year. The IRS doesn't penalize you for filing late when they owe YOU money. You've got this!

Just a word of caution - I messed this up last year by ignoring my 1042-S because I thought the 1099-DIV covered everything. Ended up getting a notice from the IRS about unreported income and withholding! Make sure you account for both forms. The income code 06 means these are dividends, so just report them as dividend income on Schedule B. And definitely claim the $265 withholding - that's YOUR money that was already paid to the IRS.

I went through this exact same situation with Charles Schwab last year! As a US resident receiving both a 1042-S and 1099-DIV, here's what I learned after consulting with a tax professional: The 1042-S likely represents dividends from foreign securities held in your account where they applied non-resident withholding by mistake. Even though you're a US resident, sometimes the brokerage systems don't properly classify certain international dividend payments. Here's how I handled it in TurboTax: 1. Report the 1042-S income as dividend income on Schedule B (don't put it under "Other Income") 2. Make sure to claim the $265 withholding as federal tax paid - this is crucial! 3. Also report your 1099-DIV separately (the amounts should be different payments) 4. Double-check that you're not counting the same dividend twice by comparing dates and amounts The good news is that since you had $265 withheld at likely a higher non-resident rate, you'll probably get some of that back as a refund once the IRS processes your return with the correct resident tax rates. Definitely contact Morgan Stanley to fix your status for next year though - you shouldn't keep getting 1042-S forms as a US resident!

Has anyone else noticed how TERRIBLE cash app's customer service is for their tax product? I had a similar issue where they claimed I never filed but I had confirmation numbers. I finally got it resolved by filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau AND the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Within 2 days of my CFPB complaint, I magically got a call from their "executive resolution team" who found my "lost" tax return.

This is a nightmare situation but you're not alone - I've seen this exact issue with multiple tax software companies. The good news is that you now have leverage since Cashapp confirmed there was a transmission error on their end. Here's what I'd do immediately: 1) Get that error code documentation in writing from Cashapp (email, not just a phone call), 2) File a paper return with the IRS ASAP including a letter explaining the technical failure, 3) File complaints with both CFPB and your state attorney general's office - regulatory pressure works wonders. Since you have proof your state return went through their system, and they've now admitted to a federal transmission error, you have a strong case that this was their technical failure, not user error. The IRS is usually reasonable about penalty abatement when you can prove the delay was due to preparer error, especially with documentation. Also consider asking Cashapp to cover any penalties or interest you might incur due to their system failure. Companies often agree to this to avoid escalated complaints. Document everything - every call, every email, every confirmation number.