How long does it take to wait for a work permit (EAD) in the USA — USCIS processing times 2026
Processing times for I-765 in 2026: asylum, AOS, OPT, H-4. How to check status, automatic 540-day extension.
Guides for the Polish Diaspora
Guides, how-tos and resources for Poles abroad: documents, work, offices, pensions, healthcare.
🤖 AI Guide
Tips, prompts and tutorials about artificial intelligence — ChatGPT and other AI tools.
Open AI GuideFeatured guides
How to Open an LLC in the USA — Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing a state, filing the Articles of Organization, obtaining an EIN, setting up a business account — and how much it all costs in 2026.
How to Get a Green Card in 2026 — A Guide for Poles
Real pathways to obtaining permanent residency in the USA in 2026: family, work, DV lottery, and more — costs, timelines, forms.
Pension Transfer Poland ↔ USA — Totalization Agreement
Working in both PL and the USA provides pension benefits from both countries — the social security agreement from 2009, SSA forms.
How to Send Money from the USA to Poland — Wise, Remitly, Western Union, and Others
A comparison of transfer services: exchange rates, fees, delivery times, limits. What to choose for small and large amounts.
401(k) vs IRA — how to save for retirement in the USA
A comparison of retirement accounts: employee 401(k), Traditional/Roth IRA, limits for 2026, employer match, and how to choose.
All guides (265)
Dentist in the USA — costs, insurance, Polish dentists, how to find one
Dental insurance in the USA is separate from medical insurance — Medicare does not cover it (with exceptions), and most employers offer an optional dental plan for $15-50/month; standard dental plans (PPO) cover 100% of prevention (cleaning twice a year), 80% of basic procedures (filling, extraction), 50% of major procedures (crown, bridge), with an annual limit of $1,000-2,000.
How Health Insurance Works in the USA — Marketplace, Medicaid, Employer-Sponsored
Three main paths to health insurance in the USA, how to apply, and what it costs in 2026.
Polskie sklepy w Chicago — gdzie szukać, dzielnice, co kupić (2026)
Chicago to największe polskie skupisko poza Polską (250k-1M Polonia w Chicago metro). Polskie sklepy spożywcze, mięsne, piekarnie i delikatesy są rozsiane po polonijnych dzielnicach: Avondale/Jackowo (north side), Niles, Park Ridge, Norridge, Schaumburg, Bridgeview (south). Główne 'destinations' shoppingowe: Belmont Avenue corridor, Milwaukee Avenue (Old Polonia), Dempster St. w Niles. Niektóre sieci wieloletnie: Bobak's, Andy's Deli, Andy's Fruit Ranch, Roy's, Wally's Market, Joseph's Finest Meats. Dostępne: polskie mięso (kiełbasa, schab, baleron), sery, chleb, słodycze, mrożone pierogi, alkohole, polskie czasopisma, książki. Często otwarte 7 dni/tydz. 7:00-21:00. Większe sklepy mają polskie speakers + akceptują karty + delivery + catering. Polish Yellow Pages i Facebook 'Polacy w Chicago' to najlepsze źródła aktualnych adresów.
How Does a Medical Interpreter Work in the USA? A Guide for the Polish Community
Learn how the medical interpreter system works in the USA, when to use a certified translator, and the differences between family and professional translation.
How to Obtain IDNYC — Free Identification for New York Residents
IDNYC is a free identification issued by the government for New York residents, regardless of immigration status. Learn how to obtain it, what documents are needed, and the benefits of having this ID.
Hidden Fees in Investing — How Much Are You Really Losing?
Do you know how much investing really costs you? Discover hidden fees that can significantly impact your savings over the years, understand the mechanisms, and learn how to avoid financial traps.
Uber/Lyft/DoorDash — rozliczenie podatków w USA (1099, Schedule C, mileage)
Praca jako kierowca Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, GrubHub itd. to klasyczny 1099 gig economy — sam płacisz pełne self-employment tax 15.3% PLUS income tax. Kluczowa dla zysku: dokładne śledzenie mileage. IRS stawka 2025: 70 cents/mile = 700 USD odliczenia za każde 1000 mil służbowych. Dla typowego full-time kierowcy 30-50k mil rocznie = 21-35k USD deductions. Plus other expenses: telefon, ubezpieczenie, parking, opłaty platformy. 1099-K wystawiana jeśli >5 000 USD na platformę (od 2024). Quarterly estimated tax payments by uniknąć underpayment penalty. Strategia: SEP-IRA może oszczędzić 25% net income na podatkach. AB5 w CA i podobne ustawy stanowe próbują rekwalifikować gig workers jako employee, ale Prop 22 odwrócił to w CA.
How to Send Money from the USA to Poland — Wise, Remitly, Western Union, and Others
A comparison of transfer services: exchange rates, fees, delivery times, limits. What to choose for small and large amounts.
Roth Conversion After Age 65 — When Does It Make Sense?
Are you considering a Roth IRA conversion after age 65? Learn when such a decision may be beneficial, especially in the context of large pre-tax balances and estate planning.
Where and How to Obtain an SSN (Social Security Number) in the USA
The Social Security Number (SSN) is a required document for legal work, bank account opening, tax filing, and many other formalities in the USA.
W-2 vs 1099 w USA — employee vs contractor, prawa, podatki, misclassification
W-2 i 1099 to dwa różne statusy zatrudnienia w USA — fundamentalna różnica dla podatków, benefitów i praw. W-2 employee: pracodawca odprowadza FICA i income tax z każdej wypłaty, zapewnia benefits (health insurance, 401k, paid leave), pokrywa workers comp i unemployment. 1099 independent contractor: sam płacisz pełne FICA (15.3% self-employment tax) PLUS income tax, brak benefitów, brak workers comp, brak unemployment. Wybór nie jest dowolny — IRS i DOL mają kryteria (kontrola, behawioralna, finansowa, relacja). Misclassification (pracodawca traktuje cię jako 1099 gdy faktycznie jesteś employee) to częste oszustwo — możesz aplikować o Form SS-8 do IRS, używać Form 8919 do zapłacenia tylko employee FICA, lub złożyć wage theft claim.
Romance scam / Sweetheart scam — how to recognize online "love" fraud
Someone from Tinder/FB/Match asks for money "for a ticket, for surgery, for investment" or talks about "certain" Bitcoin? This is a romance scam — the most costly scam for seniors (average loss of $9,000). Complete guide: how it works, red flags, how to protect yourself, where to report.
SPIA or Deferred Annuity? What to Choose for Retirement?
Are you wondering whether to choose SPIA (Single Premium Immediate Annuity) or a deferred annuity? Learn about the differences, when to consider SPIA as a long-term retirement security, and the common mistakes Poles in the USA make.
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.
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.
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.
The Biggest Investment Scams Targeting Seniors — How to Protect Yourself?
Learn about the investment scams that most often affect seniors in the USA, the methods used by scammers, and how to defend against them.
How Far Back Does Medicare Look at Income?
Learn how past income affects Medicare premiums; understanding the two-year look-back period can help avoid unpleasant financial surprises.
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.
How to Find a Job in the USA Without Knowing English
Real industries, cities with a Polish job market, where to search, and how to negotiate your first paycheck without fluent English.
How to Prepare Financially 15 Years Before Retirement
Planning for retirement in 15 years? Learn how to prepare financially to enjoy a peaceful life after your career ends with these key steps you should take today.
Mega Backdoor Roth — How to Effectively Utilize Additional Contributions?
Are you wondering how to increase your retirement savings? The Mega Backdoor Roth is a strategy that allows you to contribute an additional $40,000 to $50,000 annually to a Roth account. Learn how it works and what the requirements are.
How to Check if Your Financial Advisor is Legitimate?
Before entrusting your money to a financial advisor, ensure they are legitimate by using tools like FINRA BrokerCheck and SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure to verify their credibility.
Warning Against Cryptocurrency Scams on WhatsApp for the Polish Diaspora
Learn how to avoid cryptocurrency scams on WhatsApp that can lead to the loss of savings, and understand the 'pig butchering' mechanism to avoid falling for fake investment platforms.
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