moved to the US from a foreign country on Dec 9 - how to file taxes

[phospho123 2]

I moved from Germany to the US on Dec 9. Can I file 1040EZ only or do I need to file both 1040 and 255EZ? I earned no income in the US for that year.

[jyaku 138]

If you earned no income, no need to file taxes.

[neoblast 138]

You most likely will file jointly with your spouse otherwise no need.

[aaron2020 11,651]

You do not have to file a 2015 US tax return since you had no US income and no income from any source since immigrating.

You can volunteer to be treated as a US taxpayer by filing a 2015 US tax return. The US taxes on worldwide income rather than the way most countries including Germany that only taxes income in the country that's it's earned. You would need to report your 2015 German income. You will get a Foreign Earned Income Credit which would wipe out taxes on income up to $90,000. You would not be able to use Form 1040Z.

You can only use Form 1040EZ if you had no income for 2015. Foreign income will require you to file a regular 1040 if you choose to file a tax return.

Even if you choose to file with a US spouse, the same rules above would apply to you.

Edited January 2, 2016 by aaron2020