If you’re a foreign seller who sold U.S. real estate and had FIRPTA withholding taken out at closing—but you still haven’t received your refund—you’re not alone. Many non-resident sellers experience long delays or even lose track of their refund due to paperwork issues or missed steps.
At Cao & Associates, CPA, we specialize in helping international property sellers recover their FIRPTA withholding from the IRS—even if the sale happened months or years ago.
❓ Why Haven’t You Received Your FIRPTA Refund?
Here are a few common reasons foreign sellers don’t receive their withholding back promptly:
🚫 Missing or Incorrect Form 8288-A
If the IRS hasn’t processed your stamped Form 8288-A, your refund can’t be issued.
🆔 No Valid ITIN (Individual Tax ID Number)
Without a valid U.S. tax ID, the IRS cannot match the withholding to your return.
📄 Tax Return Not Filed (or Filed Incorrectly)
You must file a U.S. income tax return (Form 1040NR or 1120-F) for the year of the sale to claim your refund.
📬 Incorrect Mailing Address or Lost Communication
The IRS may have issued a notice or check that never reached you.
✅ How We Can Help You Recover Your FIRPTA Refund
Even if your sale closed a while ago, we can help you trace, file, and follow up on your refund:
🔍 Track Down Missing Documents
We’ll help you retrieve or correct Form 8288-A if the IRS hasn’t acknowledged it.
📝 Prepare and File the Correct Tax Return
We’ll file your 2026 (or prior year) tax return correctly, including all required schedules and documents.
📌 Apply for or Correct Your ITIN
If you never received or lost your ITIN, we’ll guide you through the process.
📨 Follow Up with the IRS
We can represent you before the IRS and submit the right inquiries or documentation to move things forward.
⏰ Don’t Wait Any Longer — Your Refund May Be Recoverable
FIRPTA refunds often total tens of thousands of dollars. Even if you’re not sure what went wrong, let our experienced CPA team review your case and help you move forward.
We’ve assisted dozens of international clients in reclaiming their withheld funds—even in difficult or delayed situations.
📞 Let’s Get Your Refund Back on Track
If your FIRPTA refund is still missing, let us step in and help.
📧 Email: info@caoandassociates.net
📱 Call or Text: 425-230-7538 | 425-336-8675
We speak English and 中文, and we’re ready to assist wherever you are in the world.
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