Job Discussion Forums

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

For what it may be worth, it is a simple matter to file from overseas. I did it this year using an online tax program. The $35 for the basic service was a deductible expense. I did an e-file and so my refund was deposited into my credit union account in the states in a few weeks. I took it out by the ATM and had some fun with it. It was only about $40 but it was worth the effort.

Social Security depends upon paying in for the requisite number of quarters. They compute the amount on your highest salary for those quarters. So it is to your advantage to contribute even $1 for every quarter you work, and that was all covered by the online tax filing program.

My SSA would be enough to live comfortably without working in Madrid or Moscow. Whatever I might make by taking privates is jam. Provided I don't earn (or they find out about) more than the limit which is, as I mentioned, a bit less than 13,000 this year. There is a COLA adjustment each year.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I did married filing separately, becuase if we file jointly then for tax purposes we're both residents, which means I'd no longer be excempt for 80K. And I definetly made more than 3, 300 this year.
Glenski, did you file jointly or separately?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

MELEE · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I don't understand why you are bothering to get your husband a number, I didn't even bother to tell the IRS I've been married for the last 4 years. My husband has never set foot in the US, as far as the IRS is concerned he doesn't exist.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'd rather not mess with the IRS so that's why I'm getting him an ITIN. Because I filed separately I have to have him sign a power of attorney form so that they can give me info.
Still, six months later, there's no sign of his ITIN and they won't send it anywhere except here to us in Peru. I asked them to send it to my parents' address. I'm sure it's been sent and simply stolen before it even reached us.

rcprof · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Choengju

I am not a tax lawyer nor am I an accountant. I know that U.S. citizens get relief on taxes if they are paying taxes in a foriegn country and they do not return to the U.S. for more than 30 days in any calander year. This was the law a few years ago, however as you well know things change almost on a daily baisis in the U.S. You should check witha tax lawyer or C.P.A.

As to Social Security to get retirement benefits you must have been paying into the program for a period of forty (40) quarters (this is ten (10) years). all legal employment in the U.S. whether fulltime or parttime requires payment. Go on line you can check your account status with the Social Security Admin.

Lastly Social Security and the I.R.S. are two separate entities and the laws are differant for both.

Be careful about what you say in public about not returning renouncing citizenship etc. That can turn out to be a can of worms at a later date. Good Luck.

merlin · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Filing for taxes basically becomes important when/if you think about returning to the US. If you're really thinking abou never returning to the US, filing is really low on your priority list.

The problem would arise if you have any w-2s or other income from the US from house sales, stock dividends, etc. Then you could get into jeopardy if you make like $10, have to pay some taxes and then get a penalty for not paying. Then the penalties and interest add up over time.

Basically if you're absolutely sure you won't return to the US, there's little or no risk in not filing. If you're planning to return there's a slight risk in not filing. If you're planning to return and have some kind of income from the US (passive, earned, inherited or otherwise), there's a moderate to high risk if you don't file.

About the unconstitutionality of taxation and the IRS - be careful what you see on the internet about this. Several people who made videos are now facing jail time "frivilous lawsuits" or whatever filed against the IRS and are now facing jail time for their resistance to unconstitutional taxes. So it doesn't matter if the taxes are unconstitutional or not - you'll still face jail time if you mess with the IRS. That's something the videos don't mention because it happneded after they were made.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

The_Hanged_Man · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 224 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

Just out of curiosity have any of you ever heard of an overseas teacher/worker being audited? It's not like we get W-2s, so how exactly would we prove our level of income?

It seems to me like we could claim whatever we want (within reason) on the forms and get away with it. I mean how many people claim their private tutoring income on their tax forms? I suppose as long as you don't get close to the $80k exemption the point is moot, but I was just curious.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

[quote="shuize"]