You guys are gonna love me - heh!

[JayJay 4]

Okies, here's the interesting question: now form 2555EZ and 1040 I have under my belt, no probs - HOWEVER, during the time frame in which I worked in the UK in 2005, I had TWO jobs. Now on the 2555EZ it only has space for one employer and one employer's address...

Now here's me thinking: I can't be the only person ever to have held down two jobs in a foreign country - so what do you guys think - two forms 2555EZ or just list my main job, and put down the total income from both jobs? Do they ever really check where the money came from: because I could fill out two 2555EZ's, no probs. Or just the main job one, and take into account the income from my second job... I dunno...

Next thing I have to do is the certificate of rent paid. I have all Ben's W2's, so we're good to go there. Just have to figure out where to put this rent stuff, and I reckon we're done!

No evidence I need to send in on my behalf, right? That's the impression I get, anyway - though I actually do have quite a few pay stubs, should they ask.

And since we're filing a paper return, are we then basically sending exactly the same thing to two locations? Everyone's being really covert with me on this issue, as I believe it's out to be proven that I "need help" doing this and am not capable of doing it mysefl - Jay, therefore, is going to do a blardy PERFECT job

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, as if I even get one thing wrong, certain people will probably string me up by my entrails for the next 24 1/2 yrs of my life...

[zyggy 9]

Okies, here's the interesting question: now form 2555EZ and 1040 I have under my belt, no probs - HOWEVER, during the time frame in which I worked in the UK in 2005, I had TWO jobs. Now on the 2555EZ it only has space for one employer and one employer's address...

Now here's me thinking: I can't be the only person ever to have held down two jobs in a foreign country - so what do you guys think - two forms 2555EZ or just list my main job, and put down the total income from both jobs? Do they ever really check where the money came from: because I could fill out two 2555EZ's, no probs. Or just the main job one, and take into account the income from my second job... I dunno...

Next thing I have to do is the certificate of rent paid. I have all Ben's W2's, so we're good to go there. Just have to figure out where to put this rent stuff, and I reckon we're done!

No evidence I need to send in on my behalf, right? That's the impression I get, anyway - though I actually do have quite a few pay stubs, should they ask.

And since we're filing a paper return, are we then basically sending exactly the same thing to two locations? Everyone's being really covert with me on this issue, as I believe it's out to be proven that I "need help" doing this and am not capable of doing it mysefl - Jay, therefore, is going to do a blardy PERFECT job

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, as if I even get one thing wrong, certain people will probably string me up by my entrails for the next 24 1/2 yrs of my life...

Jay Jay..

you can't use the 2555EZ unless you were outside the country for all of 2005. That definitely wasn't the case for you.. so you'll have to use the 2555.

[JayJay 4]

Really? I have both forms filled out on my computer and can find no real amjor difference between them apart from the fact that the 2555 has housing exclusion thingy majiggy on it and the other one doesn't...hmmmm...

Am I wrong about this? I don't need to claim any housing stuff - only the income. I was under the impressions that the 2555EZ was simply a shorter verion of the 2555 for peeps who didn't need to claim anything but their foreign income. My filling in of the 2555EZ is based upon clause number 1 - the Bona Fide residence test, which would apply to me as I was a bona fide resident of the United Kingdom from the moment of my birth until last May...since I passed this first "test", it then told me to skip the "Physical Presence" test and go straight on to question number three...

I could be wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time

[JayJay 4]

Anyone know dis? Pweaaase....would be very much appweciated on dis snowy day to help me get me taxes done - nobody else in this house is being very helpful as they either have no clue (don't ask me how that one happend...I've only been here 12 months, they've been here almost their entire lives...sheesh *makes exasperated and slightly annoyed face*) or, they're determined to prove to me that I am too stupid to do taxes and need to be helped by a more intelligent person.

Please help the "Jay is not brainless" foundation"

[Mand 1]

We used the Turbo Tax thingy and I think it was the 2555 it used...but that could have been because Rob had to fill out a 2555 aswell. However, I'm 99.9% sure that you can use the 2555-EZ. From all the tax info here I had, these seem to be pretty much one and the same document. But like yourself JayJay, I could be mistake too.

If you have the 2555 filled out, I would just use that and send off the taxes asap!! We just got our nice big refund a few days ago

Not sure about the 2 jobs and the 2555, and you don't need to send in any further information. And you're sending pretty much the same info to 2 different sources...the State and Federal tax addresses applicable to your situation.

Good Luck!!

Amanda

[Yodrak 7]

zyggy,

Are you sure about that? I can't find it in the 2555-EZ instructions, is it elsewhere?

I used 2555 for 2004, when my wife had been in the country for about 1/3 of the year, but I can't remember why I used it rather than 2555-EZ. Maybe it was because I used TurboTax (my first time not doing it 'manually') like Amanda.

Yodrak

Jay Jay..

you can't use the 2555EZ unless you were outside the country for all of 2005. That definitely wasn't the case for you.. so you'll have to use the 2555.

Edited March 13, 2006 by Yodrak

[JayJay 4]

I will try using Turbo Tax - I think I am confusing myself doing it this way. I'm probably doing it right, and I might kick myself when I'm done, but because Ben didn't make much money last year (through being sick) the fact that I'm added to him in the joint return, and then we're claiming the standard deduction for two on the Federal return, brings the total in line 43 to less than zero

Means we'll get a nice hefty return I suppose - much better than if he'd filed sepeartely and only been able to calim a $5000 standard deductible! It won't go to us thoguh - it'll go to his ex-woman, for child support back payments - whoop-de-doo! Never mind, that'll take a big chunk off

Bet turbo Tax'll fill in my state at the same time as well, rather than me having to fill the 1040 and the M1 out seperately...heh.

Also have discovered the M1PR for the property tax refund. Wonder if I can use that as well..we do have the certificate of rent paid....hmmm! Have filled it out. If there's nowhere to declare that certificate in the state tax return, I'll claim that as well