IRS Scam Calls – How to Recognize Scams?
Learn how to recognize scams related to calls from the IRS and understand the rules of contacting the IRS to avoid traps and report suspicious activities.
🇺🇸 USA Guide: US taxes
Practical guides on "US taxes". Plain language, with examples for the Polish community in the USA.
How to Legally Pay Less Taxes in Retirement?
Learn how to effectively manage your finances in retirement to minimize taxes, including strategies like withdrawal sequencing, Roth conversions, QCDs, and utilizing HSAs.
Tax Loss Harvesting – How It Works and How It Can Help You?
Learn how to utilize tax losses to minimize your tax liability, understand rules like the 'wash-sale rule', and how automation through robo-advisors can simplify this process.
Harvesting Capital Gains – How It Works and Why It’s Worth It?
Learn what harvesting capital gains is and how it can assist in tax optimization in the USA; this practical approach can be particularly beneficial in years of low income.
Tax Brackets in the USA – How Do They Really Work?
Understanding how tax brackets work in the USA can aid in better financial planning.
How to Lower Taxes in Retirement in the USA?
Learn how to effectively manage your taxes in retirement in the USA and discover strategies to reduce your tax burden and maximize your savings.
MAGI – What is it and how does it affect Medicare?
Learn what Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is and how it affects your Medicare premiums and ACA subsidies, as well as the differences between MAGI and AGI and which incomes are added to MAGI.
Legal Money Transfer Between the USA and Poland – SWIFT, Wise, FBAR, Form 8938
Transferring money between the USA and Poland is LEGAL in both directions but requires reporting for larger amounts, with popular methods including SWIFT, Wise, and various reporting forms for compliance.
IRS payment plan in the USA – installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, Fresh Start
If you owe money to the IRS, you have several legal options for negotiation: Short-Term Payment Plan (up to 180 days, free), Long-Term Installment Agreement (up to 72 months, $31-225 setup fee), Offer in Compromise (settlement for a reduced amount, $205 application fee), Currently Not Collectible status (IRS will suspend collections if hardship), Fresh Start Initiative (expanded since 2012). Do not ignore IRS letters – collections escalate: wage garnishment, bank levy, property liens, passport revocation (for $50k+ debt). Most Polish workers with tax debt may qualify for a Streamlined Installment Agreement (up to $50k debt, 6-year plan, no financial disclosure). OIC can settle for 10-30% of the original debt if you demonstrate inability to pay in full. Statute of limitations: 10 years from assessment – the IRS cannot collect after this (with exceptions).
Uber/Lyft/DoorDash – Tax Settlement in the USA (1099, Schedule C, Mileage)
Working as a driver for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, GrubHub, etc. is a classic 1099 gig economy scenario where you pay the full self-employment tax of 15.3% PLUS income tax, making accurate mileage tracking crucial for profit.
Cash Work in the USA – Risks, Law, Taxes, How to Protect Yourself
Cash work (under the table, off-the-books) is common in Polish communities in the USA – cleaning, construction, childcare, restaurants. Technically LEGAL if earnings are reported on taxes. ILLEGAL if the employee or employer hides income. Consequences for the employee include lack of Social Security credits (crucial for retirement and SSDI), no workers comp in case of an accident, no unemployment benefits, no credit history, and issues with mortgage/credit. Consequences for the employer include IRS penalties of $5,000-$50,000 per employee + criminal liability. Employees CAN legally pay taxes themselves (Schedule C as self-employed) – requires ITIN/SSN, Form 1040 + SE. This is often the safest path for Polish workers in the gray zone.
Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the USA 2026 – how much, who, how to get it (ITIN, immigration status)
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) in 2026 is $2,200 for each qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,700 being refundable (ACTC) – you will receive it even if you did not pay any taxes.
Polish Accountant in the USA – How to Find One, What They Do, Costs (2026)
A Polish accountant in the USA assists with federal and state taxes, FBAR, FATCA, ITIN applications, Polish income from Poland, and self-employed business matters, providing a comprehensive guide on CPA vs EA vs tax preparer, costs ($150-500 for annual filing), where to look for Polish accountants, and when they are absolutely necessary.
Poland-US Tax Treaty – How to Avoid Double Taxation
Do you work in the USA but have income/property in Poland? Poland and the USA have an agreement from 1974 that prevents double taxation. A complete guide: PIT-36 vs 1040, Foreign Tax Credit, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, IFT-1R, when to pay in which country.
ITIN – Tax Identification Number in the USA: What It Is, Who Needs It, How to Obtain It
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) – a 9-digit number from the IRS for individuals without an SSN who need to file taxes in the USA. A comprehensive guide: who needs it, how to submit Form W-7, where to find an Acceptance Agent, how long it takes, what ITIN does NOT provide, and common mistakes.
Starting a Business in the USA – Sole Prop vs LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp
A comparison of business structures in the USA: Sole Proprietorship, LLC, S-Corporation, C-Corporation – differences in taxes, liability, costs, and when each is best for Poles.
First Tax Filing in the USA – W-2, 1040, Deadlines, Deductions
Your first tax return in the USA – when to file (April 15), which form to use (1040 vs 1040-NR), what deductions are available, how to file for free, and what to do if you only have an ITIN.