Tax implications of IR-1 visa

[ukcanuck 0]

Hi;

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.

I have received my IR-1 visa and have until Dec 06 to activate it. I currently live in the UK and am married to the an American. We are not completely positive that we are going to move to the US yet. I have a couple of questions:

1. If I activate the visa, but have not moved to the US, will my UK earnings be subject to US income tax?

2. Given that the visa gives me the status of permanent resident, if having lived in the US using the visa for say 5 years and we decide to move, will I still be required to file US taxes after I leave the country? Meaning, am I creating a lifelong worldwide US tax obligation by activating the visa?

Thanks

[Yodrak 7]

ukcanuck,

1. If you do not move to the US after entering using your immigrant visa your status as a LPR may be rather brief.

2. As long as you do maintain your status an a LPR you are obligated to report your worldwide income to the US IRS whether or not you owe any taxes to the USA. Filing US tax returns is an important item of consideration for determining whether or not a person intends to retain or abandon their LPR status.

Yodrak

Hi;

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.

I have received my IR-1 visa and have until Dec 06 to activate it. I currently live in the UK and am married to the an American. We are not completely positive that we are going to move to the US yet. I have a couple of questions:

1. If I activate the visa, but have not moved to the US, will my UK earnings be subject to US income tax?

2. Given that the visa gives me the status of permanent resident, if having lived in the US using the visa for say 5 years and we decide to move, will I still be required to file US taxes after I leave the country? Meaning, am I creating a lifelong worldwide US tax obligation by activating the visa?

Thanks

[ukcanuck 0]

Yodrak;

Many thanks for your reply.

Could you point me to something that sets out all of the criteria that determines status as a LPR?

ukcanuck,

1. If you do not move to the US after entering using your immigrant visa your status as a LPR may be rather brief.

2. As long as you do maintain your status an a LPR you are obligated to report your worldwide income to the US IRS whether or not you owe any taxes to the USA. Filing US tax returns is an important item of consideration for determining whether or not a person intends to retain or abandon their LPR status.

Yodrak

[Kez/JWolf 6]

This should help you... http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm

Kezzie

[ukcanuck 0]

Many thanks Kezzie!

This should help you... http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm

Kezzie

[ukcanuck 0]

Does anyone know if I can enter the country and activate my visa, and leave a week later before I have my green card?

I have to go to the US on business in a couple of weeks, and we are not ready to move yet.

Thanks