Taxes for AOS

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Answer for ColumbianMainer

1 - What are the forms i need? Form 1040 and Form 2555 and Form 2555EZ? All three of them?

I can't tell you what forms you will use because there are hundreds of tax forms depending on your life, job, and situation. Most people use a 1040 as the main tax form. Then there are other forms which may be needed. You will need 2555 if you file a joint return with your husband because that is to exclude foreign income. You will need to report what you earned in 2015 and fill out 2555 so you can exclude it.

2 - I wasnt working in my foreign country since March 2015 so do i still need to fill out form 1040? Would i still have to report my income of those 3 months? I didnt have to pay any taxes in my country because i have never had contracts and they were temporary jobs. (I've never had a real steady job)

You do not have to do a 1040 for yourself because you didn't earn any money in the U.S. But if your husband wants to pay less taxes, he will want to add you as joint filing on his 1040. When you file jointly, all of his income plus anything you earned has to be listed on the 1040.

3 - What role does my child play in his taxes? We're filing I-765 for him too to have a ssn and i am aware this is to include him as a dependent for tax purposes. Can you explain this further? I am new to this all tax stuff.

I understand you are new. I can't tell you everything there is to know about taxes because all of the rules and regulations and forms would probably fill your house. Lucky you only need to learn the part that fits your family. Your child will be listed on your joint tax form as a dependent. For each person a small portion of money gets to be taken off your husbands income before they calculate his tax. Let me give you an easy example of how filing with you and the child helps. We will pretend your husband makes $40,000 a year. He doesn't get taxed on the whole $40,000. He gets to reduce it like this

$40,000

-$4000 (his exemption)

-$4000 (your exemption)

-$4000 (the child's exemption)

-$6300 (his standard deduction)

-$6300 (your standard deduction)

Equals $15,400 that he is taxed on

He would be taxed on $29,700 without you and the child on the tax return.

4 - Is there a specific due date all of this has to be done or is it reported when filing taxes next April? OR do we have to send this statement ahead of time?

The tax return is generally due on April 15 unless that is a holiday or weekend. This year the date Monday April 18. Maine and Massachusetts residents have until Tuesday April 19. The statement is mailed with the tax return.

5 - Also, is the statement directed to the Internal Revenue Service people?

Here's an example I have posted before. You just type it out using your information and the tax year 2015.

Statement: Nonresident Spouse Treated as a Resident

We declare that on the last day of tax year 2012:

Mary Jo Smith is a U.S. citizen

Sam John Smith is a nonresident alien

Mary Jo Smith and Sam John Smith are married.

We choose to be treated as U.S. residents for the entire tax year.

___[sign here]_______________________________ 2/4/2013

Mary Jo Smith SSN: 123-45-6789

410 Happy St.

Jackson, WY 83001

___[sign here]_______________________________ 2/4/2012

Sam John Smith SSN: 987-65-4321

410 Happy St.

Jackson, WY 83001

I hope that helps you a little.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~For the sake of clarity, spin-off question moved to own thread~

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/581239-overseas-income-tax-inquiry-split-thread/

Pitaya

VJ Moderation

Edited January 7, 2016 by Pitaya

[colombianmainer 2]

Thank you very much.

He reached almost $24.000 as his annual income

If we deduct all of that we would get a negative number... is that even right?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you very much.

He reached almost $24.000 as his annual income

If we deduct all of that we would get a negative number... is that even right?

Well taxes are a little more complicated than any short explanation. That was to show how each additional person counts for sort of a "discount" (which is not a tax term by the way). The actual line instructions will say things if line x is more than line y, enter 0 zero. Or enter the smaller of line A or B. You just have to work through it following the instructions, buy tax software program, or pay somebody to do it for you. Everybody on VJ is different and there is not one answer to fit all. Some make very little money. Some make way over $100,000.

[colombianmainer 2]

Thank you very much

[JamnSol 35]

I recommend TurboTax software. The kind you purchase and install on a PC.

I have used the turbo tax online software for over ten years now, and it has been very good. It asks you questions, you answer them, and it produces the papers to file your taxes.

You can try it for free.

I recommend TurboTax software. The kind you purchase and install on a PC.

I have used the turbo tax online software for over ten years now, and it has been very good. It asks you questions, you answer them, and it produces the papers to file your taxes.

You can try it for free.