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Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Does anyone have information/knowledge on this matter? It is my understanding I can file 1040s with attached 2555s for 3 years prior. Any thoughts?

kzjohn · Joined: 30 Apr 2014 Posts: 277

Short answer: Yes, you can.

Call the IRS, they will help.

It's not that hard, do it yourself. (given that you don't have investment/rental income)

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/50r6jr/guideschecklists_for_getting_current_on/?

Besides that, this sub is good: https://www.reddit.com/r/tax

Also, don't forget to do the FBAR.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar

You now do that online, and again it's not something that you need to pay someone to do for you.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Thank you. You are very kind. I'll follow those links.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

This might also be useful:

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/information-for-u-s-citizens-or-dual-citizens-residing-outside-the-u-s

taffer · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 50 Location: Japan

And to any US citizen on this board who, for whatever reason, be it laziness/ erroneous info from friends/ inability to figure out the relevant laws through googling or forums, and so on...Please take it from someone who has called the IRS directly and was told that just because I don't live or work in the US or pay into the US system in any way, I am NOT exempt from filing. I don't have to pay anything. But I do have to file every year. If you're American, so must you. Cool

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

I didn't file for many years. Eventually got around to it - just printed everything off and sent it off at once. Never heard anything back.

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:44 pm Post subject:

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I did waste plenty of time and money calling the IRS, well someone working for them. They told me someone would call me in two weeks. I imagined someone fielding calls from people like me 8 hours a day from home. I wonder how much they get. Anyway, I'm going to send those 1040s off and a 2555EZ. Thank you for taking your time to respond.

Gazoo1000 · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Location: There

Back about two years ago the IRS created a new rule effecting the 10 million Americans working overseas. It is called: Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

Most important point is if you make a little money or none at all, YOU HAVE TO FILE YOUR TAXES ON TIME. If you fail to do this you can be fined.

All the info is here: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/foreign-account-tax-compliance-act-fatca