DCF in London Tax Question

[Kobayashi 0]

Hi,

Having trawled through numerous websites, I am finally about to submit my paperwork for DCF in London. I have a few issues though. I have lived in the U.K for most of my life I am the U.S.C. I have never filed a tax return before. I am now downloading every conceivable form and guide from the IRS. Question is do I need one or three years pervious tax returns? I hope it is only one as I am totally lost on how to fill out these forms!! Now, I think I am still witihin time limit to submit 2006 forms so that should be o.k. I am going to have my sister as sponsor for my husband who is in the U.S. How many of her tax returns do I need to sumbit?

Thanks for all your help

Kob

[Kobayashi 0]

Sorry, re reading that, it looks like My hubby is in the U.S.

It should read my sister who is in the U.S will be sponsoring my husband who is in the U.K with me!!

Hi,

Having trawled through numerous websites, I am finally about to submit my paperwork for DCF in London. I have a few issues though. I have lived in the U.K for most of my life I am the U.S.C. I have never filed a tax return before. I am now downloading every conceivable form and guide from the IRS. Question is do I need one or three years pervious tax returns? I hope it is only one as I am totally lost on how to fill out these forms!! Now, I think I am still witihin time limit to submit 2006 forms so that should be o.k. I am going to have my sister as sponsor for my husband who is in the U.S. How many of her tax returns do I need to sumbit?

Thanks for all your help

Kob

[The Robinsons 0]

Sorry, re reading that, it looks like My hubby is in the U.S.

It should read my sister who is in the U.S will be sponsoring my husband who is in the U.K with me!!

Hi,

Having trawled through numerous websites, I am finally about to submit my paperwork for DCF in London. I have a few issues though. I have lived in the U.K for most of my life I am the U.S.C. I have never filed a tax return before. I am now downloading every conceivable form and guide from the IRS. Question is do I need one or three years pervious tax returns? I hope it is only one as I am totally lost on how to fill out these forms!! Now, I think I am still witihin time limit to submit 2006 forms so that should be o.k. I am going to have my sister as sponsor for my husband who is in the U.S. How many of her tax returns do I need to sumbit?

Thanks for all your help

Kob

The new I-864 form says for both you and the joint sponsor to submit a copy of last years tax return and to also put down the past 3 years income. If you want to submit 3 years of tax returns you can if you think it will help your case. But if you've never filed a US tax return you might need to check extra into proving US domicile. My husband didn't file last year so now they're questioning his US domicile. But good luck.

[meauxna 15]

Kob,

The safest bet for your sister is to have her include the transcripts of her last 3 years' tax returns. These are free of charge and ordered over the phone from the IRS. She may send this info to you in a sealed envelope if she prefers.

You might want to contact the IRS at the London Embassy. They are well versed in helping out folks in your situation, and unlike some agencies, they give good, solid, accurate info.

best wishes!

[Kobayashi 0]

Thanks very much for all your help! I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment and I seem to be finding more questions than answers! I have already told my sister that she will need to furnish last three years returns, I just keep reading conflcting info on my own taxes!

Thanks Again.

Kob

[Yodrak 7]

Kob,

Point of clarification: you are going to sponsor your husband. Your sister can be a Joint Sponsor, but you must be the Sponsor.

One year required, more can be provided if you think it will strengthen your case.

Yodrak

Hi,

...... I am going to have my sister as sponsor for my husband who is in the U.S. How many of her tax returns do I need to sumbit?

.....

Kob

Edited March 12, 2007 by Yodrak

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Hi,

Having trawled through numerous websites, I am finally about to submit my paperwork for DCF in London. I have a few issues though. I have lived in the U.K for most of my life I am the U.S.C. I have never filed a tax return before. I am now downloading every conceivable form and guide from the IRS. Question is do I need one or three years pervious tax returns? I hope it is only one as I am totally lost on how to fill out these forms!! Now, I think I am still witihin time limit to submit 2006 forms so that should be o.k. I am going to have my sister as sponsor for my husband who is in the U.S. How many of her tax returns do I need to sumbit?

Thanks for all your help

Kob

Hi Kob

I was in the same boat as you -- long-term resident who never filed her US taxes. I went to see the IRS last week at the embassy, and I posted about my experience here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=57440

You technically only need 1 year for the I-864, but as stated above having 3 is good practice. Plus, that way you would be up to date with the IRS and Uncle Sam, which is (as they told me at the Embassy) A Good Thing. If you need help, they are very friendly and full of good advice -- in person or over the phone. One thing to keep in mind is that if you bring your completed returns to the IRS Office, they will provide you with certified copies which you can use for your I-864; they recommended this to me for our visa application.

Good luck!

Meagan

[Kobayashi 0]

Thanks.

I have read your post and I think I will just do the three years tax returns even though I can't get my head around the forms!!. I am just outside of Edinburgh, so at least I know if I am stuck, I can go pay them a visit as I have checked their website and they have dedicated hours for tax returns. I am just thankful I stumbled acroos the fact that I need the tax returns. I would rather gather all the info now rather than have a big hiccup later on.

[Stand_By_Me_Babe 0]

Thanks.

I have read your post and I think I will just do the three years tax returns even though I can't get my head around the forms!!. I am just outside of Edinburgh, so at least I know if I am stuck, I can go pay them a visit as I have checked their website and they have dedicated hours for tax returns. I am just thankful I stumbled acroos the fact that I need the tax returns. I would rather gather all the info now rather than have a big hiccup later on.

Hi,

Your post is the only one I can find about this. I (USC) have lived in the UK for 11 years and have never filled out a tax return in the US. I too had no idea about this requirement! I'm just about to file the I-130s for my hubby (UKC) and son in London and now have no idea what to do about the tax returns.

I am going to the Edinburgh Consulate tomorrow to get my oldests sons Consular Report Of Birth Abroad. Do you know if I can see a tax advisor as well there? I hope you don't mind me asking how you went about sorting out your situation? I'd greatly appreciate any help you can give from your experience.

Jenni

[manuidf78 0]

Dear All,

I have a question linked to your subject. My wife who is my sponsor never lived in the US, that's why we have a joint sponsor in the US.

But do you think that someone who never lived in the us ( she is french/American citizen) needs to fill IRS?

Thanks for your feedback.

Manu

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Hi,

Your post is the only one I can find about this. I (USC) have lived in the UK for 11 years and have never filled out a tax return in the US. I too had no idea about this requirement! I'm just about to file the I-130s for my hubby (UKC) and son in London and now have no idea what to do about the tax returns.

I am going to the Edinburgh Consulate tomorrow to get my oldests sons Consular Report Of Birth Abroad. Do you know if I can see a tax advisor as well there? I hope you don't mind me asking how you went about sorting out your situation? I'd greatly appreciate any help you can give from your experience.

Jenni

Jenni -- it is not a big deal if you never filed during your 11 years in the UK as long as you made below the minimum (around $80k-82k in the past few years, after taxes) but you absolutely MUST backfile now. You will need to complete 1040s for 2004-06 and the Foreign Income Exclusion forms (2555-EZ) for the same years in order to complete your I-864 later on in the process.

Apparently, there are only tax specialists at the Edinburgh consulate between Jan-April, but I would highly recommend calling the London office of the IRS on 020 7894 0477. They are super-helpful and friendly, and they are used to dealing with the like of you and me who never knew they had to file whilst they lived over here in the UK. You can call them between 9 and noon weekdays.

I had the opportunity to go to the IRS office at the Embassy as I live in London, but it really is not necessary if you call the specialists. I did 3 years of back taxes over the Easter weekend (ugh) but it wasn't very difficult, just time-consuming. It helps to have all your financials for the past 3 years to hand, but remember that the US tax year runs Jan-Dec and not April-April as it does in the UK. That is the most irritating bit, as your P60 is not very useful! I ended up rounding up all my payslips from 2004-06 (missing one or two, but was able to extrapolate the missing figures) and totting up the net sums.

There are no late filing fees or penalties if you make below the limits I mentioned above. You may also find this link from the Embassy website useful: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/irs/irsfaq.htm

Don't worry, you'll be fine!

[jula 0]

But do you think that someone who never lived in the us ( she is french/American citizen) needs to fill IRS?

Yes, all US citizens and LPRs, no matter where they live, have to file USA taxes. In addition, US Department of Treasury wants their Report of foreign bank and financial accounts (form TD F 90-22.1) every year.

[Stand_By_Me_Babe 0]

Hi,

Your post is the only one I can find about this. I (USC) have lived in the UK for 11 years and have never filled out a tax return in the US. I too had no idea about this requirement! I'm just about to file the I-130s for my hubby (UKC) and son in London and now have no idea what to do about the tax returns.

I am going to the Edinburgh Consulate tomorrow to get my oldests sons Consular Report Of Birth Abroad. Do you know if I can see a tax advisor as well there? I hope you don't mind me asking how you went about sorting out your situation? I'd greatly appreciate any help you can give from your experience.

Jenni

Jenni -- it is not a big deal if you never filed during your 11 years in the UK as long as you made below the minimum (around $80k-82k in the past few years, after taxes) but you absolutely MUST backfile now. You will need to complete 1040s for 2004-06 and the Foreign Income Exclusion forms (2555-EZ) for the same years in order to complete your I-864 later on in the process.

Apparently, there are only tax specialists at the Edinburgh consulate between Jan-April, but I would highly recommend calling the London office of the IRS on 020 7894 0477. They are super-helpful and friendly, and they are used to dealing with the like of you and me who never knew they had to file whilst they lived over here in the UK. You can call them between 9 and noon weekdays.

I had the opportunity to go to the IRS office at the Embassy as I live in London, but it really is not necessary if you call the specialists. I did 3 years of back taxes over the Easter weekend (ugh) but it wasn't very difficult, just time-consuming. It helps to have all your financials for the past 3 years to hand, but remember that the US tax year runs Jan-Dec and not April-April as it does in the UK. That is the most irritating bit, as your P60 is not very useful! I ended up rounding up all my payslips from 2004-06 (missing one or two, but was able to extrapolate the missing figures) and totting up the net sums.

There are no late filing fees or penalties if you make below the limits I mentioned above. You may also find this link from the Embassy website useful: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/irs/irsfaq.htm

Don't worry, you'll be fine!

Thanks so much for your help, I was really starting to worry about this but you've set my mind at ease! We just got back from Edinburgh (David shoulget passport and SSN in a couple months) so I will phone London first thing tomorrow and get organized. I sent hubbys and the babys I-130s last night so I guess I can start a timeline now.

Thanks again so much Elmcitymaven!