About Citizenship

[Sand 5]

Hello.

For USC's (Naturalization) can they live outside of the country for 5 years without loosing their Citizenship? or is there any amount of time for them to return back to USA or they can stay out of the country as long as they want without loosing it?

Thanks,

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Once you are a USC, you can stay out of the country as long as you want (don't forget you still need to file taxes!)

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

US citizens can live wherever they want, for as long as they want, with whomever they want. There are only two requirements: death and taxes. USCs have to file a yearly tax return even if they live abroad, and eventually they must die.

[a&o 4]

Love it, Bob!

Yes, many USCs eventually give up their U.S. citizenship because of the burden of the U.S. tax filing requirement.

[Sand 5]

Thanks alot guys, it was helpful.

by the way, can he file for taxes. from the counrty he lives in, or he has to return to usa and do it?

Thanks

Edited April 28, 2010 by Sand

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Let me clear something up.

First, taxes can be filed from the North or the South pole. They can be filed electronically from any computer, so theoretically they can be filed from a space ship.

Secondly, filing income tax returns is not the same as paying taxes. If you live in Kuala Lumpur you tell Uncle Sam that you made barely enough to buy potatoes and horse meat, the IRS won't check up on that.

Yet even if you were to make good money, the USA has many bilateral deal with other nations about taxes. In short, there's a limit of money you can make overseas without being exposed to double taxation.

The whole "always having to pay taxes" thing only becomes an issue if you have more money than brain cells.

[Sand 5]

Hi, Now u want to tell me if i work outside of the USA and make so much money, do i have to pay taxes here ??? but i am not in USA to pay ? would you clearfy this for me ?

Thanks.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Did you read my previous post where I just talked about this?

Yes, if you are a US citizen and work in Saudi Arabia where you make $1,000 a day on an oil platform you will have to pay a boat load of income taxes in the US, whether you live in the US or not.