Should I file 2011 tax returns?

[Ighaepero 2]

Through 2011 I was teaching English in China, earning about $660 USD per month. I estimated I made less than $600 the entire year (note: not including free apartment and plane ticket reimbursement).

I have a co-sponsor.

I read somewhere that I should still file 2011's tax returns because it is some kind of bureaucratic requirement. I'm not too clear on this. As a precaution, I sent a 4852, then received a letter asking me to file the actual tax return as well.

I'm slightly confused as to what I should do next, or if this is necessary.

Advice appreciated.

[Inky 1,111]

Yes file your taxes.

[Ighaepero 2]

Do you or anyone else know how I can go about filing a tax return from 2011 with a 4852? I tried to file for 2011 using an online service, but they only give me an option for filling out a W2, which I obviously cannot fill since I don't have one. Can I just get the forms from somewhere and fill them out by hand?

Edited May 18, 2013 by Ighaepero

[Inky 1,111]

Do you or anyone else know how I can go about filing a tax return from 2011 with a 4852? I tried to file for 2011 using an online service, but they only give me an option for filling out a W2, which I obviously cannot fill since I don't have one. Can I just get the forms from somewhere and fill them out by hand?

I don't know we used a tax preparer to file international taxes. Made it a lot easier to deal with since they did all the work.

Maybe you can download a form package from the IRS website, or find some information there if you want to do it yourself without a professional to do it.

[Darnell 8,479]

you need to use the f2555 or f2555ez instead of the f4852.

the f2555, when used, trumps the f4852 and the need for f4852

Edited May 18, 2013 by Darnell

[Ighaepero 2]

lol I was in Wuhan too.

So if I use the f2555 I don't need to also file a tax return, right?

Also, must I also fill out a 1040? The 2555 form says the 1040 should be attached.

Edited May 18, 2013 by Ighaepero

[Darnell 8,479]

1. 1040

2. f2555

3. w-7 for wife (optional)

[Darnell 8,479]

apologies, she's not yer wife yet, so no need for the w-7.

[bigdog 376]

Good Luck

[Ighaepero 2]

Thanks for the advice, Darnell! I can take care of this right away now.

[Darnell 8,479]

Excellent ! Go Get Em !

if you have any timing issues, ie - need I-134 to show in next 30 days -

is best to make 2 original sets of everything for the IRS,

then go into the IRS office,

give one to an agent, have the agent STAMP the 2nd set, and get the second set (showing the stamp) into your lass's hands (originals, la).

Good Luck !

[Ighaepero 2]

We probably won't get USCIS approval until September, so there is no rush at the moment. However, tell ya what happened.

They returned the 4852 to me (stamped) with a letter saying, "To change any information on your original tax return, you should file an amended return on form 1040X." They also enclosed the 1040X.

If I understand correctly, my next step is to fill out the 1040X and send it back, at which point I am hopefully done with the step. Is that right, or is there anything else I shoud know?

[Darnell 8,479]

if you never filed a 1040 for that tax year, file one! (not a 1040X).

IMO, the letter back came from a confused IRS person.

[Ighaepero 2]

You're saying the IRS assumed I was modifying an already filed 1040, not realizing I had never filed one in the first place. Got it, I'll send the 1040.

For the record, will what I'm doing now come into play when she goes for her interview at Guangzhou or when she is in the States applying for a green card?

[Darnell 8,479]

both !

when submitting the I-134 for a K-1 visa, the I-134 is adjudicated in Guanzhou.

when submitting the I-864 for adjusting status, chasing after a greencard, it's adjudicated at some USCIS office.

So, tax stuff, income stuff, is evaluated at least twice..