Hello, I am looking for someone that's been in the same or similar situation as me and can help me with your experience and wisdom. I'm new to Expatica, but not new to NL. I figure it's about time I come out of my shell and make some contact so I don't get fined by the IRS or other things that's lurking in the dark. I need advice about tax AND on anything else I should know too. I'm not lazy to look up information myself, it's that I'm very easily overwhelmed. I'm the kind of person that needs guidance from someone, and someone to talk to about stuff like this...I need a mentor to point me in the right direction so I can do things, please help me~
Here's a bit about me:
So, it's occured to me that I need to file my US Taxes, which I haven't done in the past 4 years.... Is there a company that can (back) file for me, and also not cost a lot? I only have a teacher salary and mainly rely on my husband who's not making big money either.
I hope to find someone that I can talk to and help me. After 5 years, it is starting to get a bit...lonely. Thanks for your time!
emoima said:
Hello, I am looking for someone that's been in the same or similar situation as me and can help me with your experience and wisdom. I'm new to Expatica, but not new to NL. I figure it's about time I come out of my shell and make some contact so I don't get fined by the IRS or other things that's lurking in the dark. I need advice about tax AND on anything else I should know too. I'm not lazy to look up information myself, it's that I'm very easily overwhelmed. I'm the kind of person that needs guidance from someone, and someone to talk to about stuff like this...I need a mentor to point me in the right direction so I can do things, please help me~
Here's a bit about me:
- From California, living in NL since 2008. I did file my 2008 taxes (since I worked in CA that year), but stopped filing since.
- I am still paying my federal student loans with an American bank account.
- Working in NL: international school 1 year, then a Dutch school for 3 years and continuing.
- I have a bank account in NL too (since I work here), but I've never had 10,000 or more in it (teacher salary...).
- Married to Dutch husband in 2010, and I'm pregnant now.
- My husband files my Dutch Taxes for me every year.
So, it's occured to me that I need to file my US Taxes, which I haven't done in the past 4 years.... Is there a company that can (back) file for me, and also not cost a lot? I only have a teacher salary and mainly rely on my husband who's not making big money either.
I hope to find someone that I can talk to and help me. After 5 years, it is starting to get a bit...lonely. Thanks for your time!
You can contact Greenback Tax Services, they are a group of USA tax accountants who specialize in preparing USA federal, state and local tax returns for American expats.
http://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/
We have had very good experience with them and their rates are very reasonable.
Christian Barth, Attorney
www.expatlaw.nl
Hello Christian, thanks for your response.
I went to the site and find the exorbitant fees too much to swallow. For me, it'll be about $1000 just to file my taxes, money I do not have...I'm a teacher and not married to a rich husband (or expat tax accountant in this case, lol).
I would prefer to file my own taxes instead. That is possible, right? Would you happen to know which tax forms I need? This information should be free....
christianbarth said:
emoima said:
Hello, I am looking for someone that's been in the same or similar situation as me and can help me with your experience and wisdom. I'm new to Expatica, but not new to NL. I figure it's about time I come out of my shell and make some contact so I don't get fined by the IRS or other things that's lurking in the dark. I need advice about tax AND on anything else I should know too. I'm not lazy to look up information myself, it's that I'm very easily overwhelmed. I'm the kind of person that needs guidance from someone, and someone to talk to about stuff like this...I need a mentor to point me in the right direction so I can do things, please help me~
Here's a bit about me:
- From California, living in NL since 2008. I did file my 2008 taxes (since I worked in CA that year), but stopped filing since.
- I am still paying my federal student loans with an American bank account.
- Working in NL: international school 1 year, then a Dutch school for 3 years and continuing.
- I have a bank account in NL too (since I work here), but I've never had 10,000 or more in it (teacher salary...).
- Married to Dutch husband in 2010, and I'm pregnant now.
- My husband files my Dutch Taxes for me every year.
So, it's occured to me that I need to file my US Taxes, which I haven't done in the past 4 years.... Is there a company that can (back) file for me, and also not cost a lot? I only have a teacher salary and mainly rely on my husband who's not making big money either.
I hope to find someone that I can talk to and help me. After 5 years, it is starting to get a bit...lonely. Thanks for your time!
You can contact Greenback Tax Services, they are a group of USA tax accountants who specialize in preparing USA federal, state and local tax returns for American expats.
http://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/
We have had very good experience with them and their rates are very reasonable.
Christian Barth, Attorney
www.expatlaw.nl
emoima said:
Hello Christian, thanks for your response.I went to the site and find the exorbitant fees too much to swallow. For me, it'll be about $1000 just to file my taxes, money I do not have...I'm a teacher and not married to a rich husband (or expat tax accountant in this case, lol).I would prefer to file my own taxes instead. That is possible, right? Would you happen to know which tax forms I need? This information should be free....christianbarth said:emoima said:
Hello, I am looking for someone that's been in the same or similar situation as me and can help me with your experience and wisdom. I'm new to Expatica, but not new to NL. I figure it's about time I come out of my shell and make some contact so I don't get fined by the IRS or other things that's lurking in the dark. I need advice about tax AND on anything else I should know too. I'm not lazy to look up information myself, it's that I'm very easily overwhelmed. I'm the kind of person that needs guidance from someone, and someone to talk to about stuff like this...I need a mentor to point me in the right direction so I can do things, please help me~
Here's a bit about me:
- From California, living in NL since 2008. I did file my 2008 taxes (since I worked in CA that year), but stopped filing since.
- I am still paying my federal student loans with an American bank account.
- Working in NL: international school 1 year, then a Dutch school for 3 years and continuing.
- I have a bank account in NL too (since I work here), but I've never had 10,000 or more in it (teacher salary...).
- Married to Dutch husband in 2010, and I'm pregnant now.
- My husband files my Dutch Taxes for me every year.
So, it's occured to me that I need to file my US Taxes, which I haven't done in the past 4 years.... Is there a company that can (back) file for me, and also not cost a lot? I only have a teacher salary and mainly rely on my husband who's not making big money either.
I hope to find someone that I can talk to and help me. After 5 years, it is starting to get a bit...lonely. Thanks for your time!
You can contact Greenback Tax Services, they are a group of USA tax accountants who specialize in preparing USA federal, state and local tax returns for American expats.
http://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/
We have had very good experience with them and their rates are very reasonable.
Christian Barth, Attorney
www.expatlaw.nl
$1000 or more to file four years of USA federal state and local taxes is definitely not 'exorbitant'. No accountant can do four years of work for the price of one. Around $250 for each year is very reasonable.
The subject matter is too complex for the average expat to do the required returns on their own. There are tax treaties between NL and USA which avoid double taxation but require professional advice to implement. It's possible you don't owe any additional USA taxes if you paid Dutch taxes but without an expert you could end up owing extra in taxes and penalties to Uncle Sam.
The right direction is to bite the bullet, deal with the accountants and get your USA taxes in order. And $1000 is only about 810 euros. 200 euros / year for specialized tax returns is a good deal. It should give more peace of mind than worrying about the IRS.
Christian Barth, Attorney
Thank you for your response again Christian. I agree with what you said, if only it was really $250 a year. However, it's actually almost $1300 for 3 years; i made a mistake and included 2012 tax, when the year isn't over. I also have to file state taxes and that adds a bit to the cost too. So unfortunately for me, I wish it was $250 a year, but it looks to be about $430. Maybe you don't think $430 per year is a lot, but it is to me, and then $460 for every year after if I continue to bite the bullet. Personally, I don't think any of this is a secret that only tax accountants know. I know they have the experience, know-how, and thus can do this a lot faster and smarter than me, but so far, I've found lots of information on the IRS website, and they have a helpful helpdesk via email and telephone. I've done my taxes myself before I left America, and now there are more hoops to go through and it is a lot more confusing. However, doing your own taxes is somethign that when you do it once, you know how to do it again since it's pretty much the same every year after (unless some drastic law changes come about), and that'll save me nearly $500 for every year after. I could do so much with $500, including giving it to people in need rather than a tax accountant.
Based on what you said, between the income exclusion and student loan deduction, you probably don't owe backtaxes. You should try the online tax products. I use turbo tax. However I dont remember if you can do the foreign income exclusion which is key. Go to http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/ use the free product, if you find it doesn't allow it. Google other online tax products until you find the one that allows you to claim it.
I hate captcha
I can also give you some advice if you want to do the process yourself, which is what I have been doing since I've lived here. It's complicated and time-consuming, but it's not insurmountable. I've had questions and contacted the IRS to get answers, which has been very easy to do. I agree with mvn, you won't owe any back taxes. Feel free to contact me, I can help point you in the right direction if you want to take the DIY approach.
All US citizens are expected to file taxes irregardless of income earned in the USA. It is based on your worldwide income. You might not owe but you are still supposed to file. In fact, you are better off filing due to potential social security benefits upon retirement.
captcha go away
philly_girl said:
As i have not lived/resided in the USA since that time and have not earned any money there i am not obligated to file taxes or pay any taxes for any year where i did not make over $600 in the USA.
The time table to paying any owed taxes only starts ticking once you have filed your return this I know is completely true and factual so no worries.
Sorry but none of this information is correct. I advise USA taxpayers everywhere to follow the rules according to the IRS:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch01.html#en_US_2011_publink100047318
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income, estate, and gift tax returns and for paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.
Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file an income tax return. Generally, you must file a return for 2011 if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status in the following table.
Christian Barth, Attorney
www.expatlaw.nl
christianbarth said:
philly_girl said:
As i have not lived/resided in the USA since that time and have not earned any money there i am not obligated to file taxes or pay any taxes for any year where i did not make over $600 in the USA.
The time table to paying any owed taxes only starts ticking once you have filed your return this I know is completely true and factual so no worries.
Sorry but none of this information is correct. I advise USA taxpayers everywhere to follow the rules according to the IRS:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch01.html#en_US_2011_publink100047318
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income, estate, and gift tax returns and for paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.
Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file an income tax return. Generally, you must file a return for 2011 if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status in the following table.
Filing Status* Amount Single $9,500 65 or older $10,950 Head of household $12,200 65 or older $13,650 Qualifying widow(er) $15,300 65 or older $16,450 Married filing jointly $19,000 Not living with spouse at end of year $3,700 One spouse 65 or older $20,150 Both spouses 65 or older $21,300 Married filing separatelyWhen To File and Pay
If you file on a calendar year basis, the due date for filing your return is April 15 of the following year. If you file on a fiscal year basis (a year ending on the last day of any month except December), the due date is 3 months and 15 days after the close of your fiscal year. In general, the tax shown on your return should be paid by the due date of the return, without regard to any extension of time for filing the return.
Christian Barth, Attorney
www.expatlaw.nl
Yes, as both people have said, there's no doubt that I have to file, but as others have also said, I most likely don't owe any backtaxes, except for some possible fines for filing late...which I heard is waivered for first time offense. (I have to reread this bit again because it was confusing, lol. But it's something like $187 per year or equivalent to what you owe, whichever is lower) Just have to do the "formalities" and get filing and continue to do so every year.
I'm not sure, but I think what phillygirl said isn't wrong, she doesn't have to file since she's not making a lot (in America). But, what Christian is saying is that you DO have to file if you are making over a certain amount, no matter where you are in the world.
Also, if you are married, you have to file jointly the first year but can do joint or separate afterwards. This is the same even if your spouse is a non-US resident! (Which I find stupid...but I guess his money is my money and vice versa, and the US wants to stick their hands in it too, haha.)
emoima, you are now making stuff up, there is no waiver for first time offences and now that you have jumbled all the info I am not commenting anything else until you specify your next actions, I am not going back and forth with info and what does it mean, and what about this and that agnoseum go away captcha
