Sydney DCF foreign tax return

[larymiriam 0]

US citizen filing DCF Sydney for wife.

Im a US citizen that has been living and working in Australia for the past 3 years...Ive done tax returns here in Australia but I havent done any US tax returns since Ive been here. Im going with a co-sponsor for the petition for my wife here so do I still need to show a US tax return? If so, how would I do that? And for what months/year(s) would I need a US tax return? (the Australian tax year goes from July to June so its confusing).

Also, If the consulate does need my tax return, what exactly are they asking for? A copy of the tax form I would complete? Would I need to file the tax form then wait for the IRS to send me something to show the consulate here?

Thanks

[redglasses 1]

Worldwide income is subject to US tax returns even you are residing outside the US.

Check the IRS publication 54 and file the past returns ASAP because you will need a photocopy of them at the time of your petition or interview.

[larymiriam 0]

Worldwide income is subject to US tax returns even you are residing outside the US.

Check the IRS publication 54 and file the past returns ASAP because you will need a photocopy of them at the time of your petition or interview.

Hi red...

Does the consulate require more than 1 past tax return?

What form or forms do they need a photocopy of anyway?

Would I owe any taxes even though Ive made less than 40 thousand every year Ive worked in Australia?

The tax year ends in June in Australia (year goes July to June), thats when I get a W-2 sort of thing to file taxes here...would the IRS want a copy of the Australia W-2? Or would the IRS just want me to sort out my wages earned here for the full year 2009 (Jan -Dec)? Australia doesnt give a W-2 for year worked Jan-Dec so Im confused as to what they would want to show my earnings here for 2009.

[trailmix 77]

Hi,

Have you read the instructions for the I-864 (affidavit of support) - it is generally long and pretty boring but it's also important.

I don't know how others have handled the July to June tax year thing - hopefully someone with experience will chime in.

You must file the last 3 years tax returns - it is part of the requirement of the I-864, can't do the I-864 without that.

You probably won't owe any taxes, you can use form 2555 to exclude up to a certain amount - over U.S. 80k.

[Deb+Steve 13]

Hi red...

Does the consulate require more than 1 past tax return?

What form or forms do they need a photocopy of anyway?

Would I owe any taxes even though Ive made less than 40 thousand every year Ive worked in Australia?

The tax year ends in June in Australia (year goes July to June), thats when I get a W-2 sort of thing to file taxes here...would the IRS want a copy of the Australia W-2? Or would the IRS just want me to sort out my wages earned here for the full year 2009 (Jan -Dec)? Australia doesnt give a W-2 for year worked Jan-Dec so Im confused as to what they would want to show my earnings here for 2009.

There's a place in Rozelle that may be able to help you, www.extax.com.au. I would assume that you would need to show US filings for all your years abroad unless you were exempt from filing, then you would need a letter stating why quoting the relevant IRS publication (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Edit to add: following what trailmix wrote, I used the 2555EZ this year and the exclusion was up to US$91,400.

There are also some members in the Aussie regional thread who DCF'ed who should be able to tell you what was required.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/183541-land-downunder-aussie-aussie-aussie-oi-oi-oi/

Best of luck ...

Edited June 15, 2010 by Deb+Steve