filing US back taxes

[CanuckGurl 3]

Getting a professional to help with the important task of filing your taxes is superb advice - they know the tax laws inside and out and can find you deductions/credits you might not be aware of if you hadn't gone to one.

H&R Block is an American company with a Canadian branch (and others around the world) so it's a safe bet that they KNOW their stuff when it comes to US taxes, and US-Canadian taxes. $2-300 per year is cheap for how much expertise and knowledge they need to have.

For your first year of filing US taxes you will be filing, most likely, a Dual Status return (the US's version of a part-year resident). You will file one return for your US sourced income prior to entering the US and a 2nd return with your world-wide income being reported after you entered the US.

The general rule of thumb for US citizens living outside the US right now is: file 3 years of taxes if you have a NIL balance owed, file 6 years of taxes if you have a balance due. File your FBARs (TDF90-22.1) for at least 3 years.

It's also a good idea to attach a cover letter explaining why you, the US citizen, haven't been filing US taxes and what you are going to do in the future. The cover letter is to try and not be penalized for not filing.

Just my two cents.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Getting a professional to help with the important task of filing your taxes is superb advice - they know the tax laws inside and out and can find you deductions/credits you might not be aware of if you hadn't gone to one.

H&R Block is an American company with a Canadian branch (and others around the world) so it's a safe bet that they KNOW their stuff when it comes to US taxes, and US-Canadian taxes. $2-300 per year is cheap for how much expertise and knowledge they need to have.

For your first year of filing US taxes you will be filing, most likely, a Dual Status return (the US's version of a part-year resident). You will file one return for your US sourced income prior to entering the US and a 2nd return with your world-wide income being reported after you entered the US.

The general rule of thumb for US citizens living outside the US right now is: file 3 years of taxes if you have a NIL balance owed, file 6 years of taxes if you have a balance due. File your FBARs (TDF90-22.1) for at least 3 years.

It's also a good idea to attach a cover letter explaining why you, the US citizen, haven't been filing US taxes and what you are going to do in the future. The cover letter is to try and not be penalized for not filing.

Just my two cents.

No H&R doesnt always know their stuff, believe me,lol As with any company their are knowledgeable people and some not so knowledgeable people!! Myself and a few others I know didn't have good experiences with them. I think the Op could use them, just do a bit of research on is own, to ensure they know what they are doing.

[BruceC 0]

I don't think this is a matter of it being H&R block itself. There are many CA and other professionals that are deciding to get on the so called "band wagon" and calling themselves US-CAN tax experts as a result of all this press lately. Some deal with this exclusively, and others don't. Let's face it, there is some money to be made here. Of course, it's buyer-beware for anything we purchase (except for maybe Costco!!!!)

[CanuckGurl 3]

I don't think this is a matter of it being H&R block itself. There are many CA and other professionals that are deciding to get on the so called "band wagon" and calling themselves US-CAN tax experts as a result of all this press lately. Some deal with this exclusively, and others don't. Let's face it, there is some money to be made here. Of course, it's buyer-beware for anything we purchase (except for maybe Costco!!!!)

Very true - it's a "buyer beware" type of market right now. H&R Block has the advantage of being a well known tax place (and they guarantee their work too which is nice).

Some preparers are better than others, just like any business.

Best of luck to those who have to file this stuff!