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Hugeshark · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Hollywood

Thanks for clicking on this. I know talking about taxes sucks but please help me out if you know anything about this. I'll try and keep it brief.

I recently started working as a teacher in Chile. I am under a subject to contract work Visa. I opted to forego a Chilean pension plan and will continue paying taxes to the United States.

I just got my carnet and believe I am covered here in Chile.

Can anyone save me a trip to the embassy and give me an idea of what I need to do or make sure I have covered in the United States?

I just spent a confusing hour on the US social security website. This is my first time working outside the US and I'm not sure if I need to report or fill out some document(s) or declare anything at the US embassy here, now that I am working legally.

I went through the eekingly slow process of obtaining my Visa (through the Chilean embassy in Los Angeles, CA) and want to get it all over with and cover my ass, so to speak. And enjoy the upcoming ski season without stress.

Much Appreciated and thanks for any advice!

Pollibi · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject:

The link below is from the IRS website. It's an outline of "Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Living Abroad" and the various points of the outline lead to more detailed explanations. It seems pretty thorough.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/index.html

Hope this helps. Good luck!

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

If you've been away for 12 months in a row. Or were a bona fiada resident for 330 days of 2007, you should file the 2555. It makes sure you don't have to pay Uncle Sam, if you've already paid taxes in the country where you are living.

poetchica · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 8

I was teaching in Chile for nearly 2 years but could only claim a year of it officially. I had 2 jobs at an institute (with a visa/contract) and at a university. I paid taxes in the Chilean system (had no choice). I just had my taxes done in California (I was a resident of CA but am currently in NY). I'm not well versed in the tax laws, but I know there is some kind of caveat under CA tax law that NY doesn't have. Hence, since I'm living here now I filed as a NY resident, and will get back a meager sum in tax refund. If I had been a CA resident I might have actually had to pay a meager sum. So please make sure you are on the look out for this part of the tax law. If you can afford $100 someone can do it for you. I opted for this as I am not good with these things. It doesn't help much, but be aware that tax laws differ according to state. Most people don't earn enough in Chile to have to worry about owing taxes, based on the law of being out of the country for 12 consecutive months. But still, I was surprised when my accountant mentioned the difference in state laws. Good luck.