GC holder returned to home country - foreign assets?

[unknownuser 13]

I was married to a U.S. citizen from October 2016 to May 2017. Then I returned home in June 2017.

I had a job from February 27 to May 23.

 

Do I have to report my EU bank accounts or EU income while I lived in Belgium after moving back? Because this would cause a lot of trouble for nothing.

 

My credit union, Alliant Credit Union is also letting me keep my checkings account (0.65% interest) and savings account (1.45% interest). Should I file a specific form like W8BEN-E or just keep paying taxes to the IRS? Because as I'm no longer a resident of the U.S., I should pay taxes on interest in my home country, and not to the IRS?

 

Should I still contribute to my Roth IRA? EU retirement savings are terrible with 2-3% average gain per year. With my Roth IRA, I can keep control of my investments, even if it's just as little as 1000$.

Is there still use to continue building my credit score?

Edited February 14, 2018 by unknownuser

[Lemonslice 4,840]

Did you return your green card and is your move back home permanent?  If so, I strongly suggest transferring your money and cutting all ties with the US - you're then sure that you won't ever miss a reporting requirement from the IRS. 

[unknownuser 13]

14 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Did you return your green card and is your move back home permanent?  If so, I strongly suggest transferring your money and cutting all ties with the US - you're then sure that you won't ever miss a reporting requirement from the IRS. 

I'm actually looking to keep my ties with the U.S. to some degree. Such as keeping my credit union bank account is a priority. I am paying several things such as my websites and Netflix in USD, because it's cheaper than paying it in the EUR currency. On top of that I get a beautiful interest rate. Majority of the banks in Europe are still at 0.01-0.1%.

 

Right now I'm looking for how these things are taxed in the long term. I recall there was a form which declares I'm not liable for any U.S. tax so I would be taxed in my home country. But if I can pay taxes on interest rates from my credit union to the IRS and not my home country, then that's fine with me too. Tax rate for both is I believe the same, in either country 30%.

 

In the long term, by 2030, I want to retire in The Philippines at the age of 40. And their currency is closer to the USD, which is another reason I want to keep my U.S. bank account.

 

My conditional green card will expire in April 2019.

Edited February 14, 2018 by unknownuser

[Roel 7,192]

Taxes or Netflix account won't help you keeping your green card.

In order to keep it, you have to physically live and work in the USA - or at least spend the  majority of the year there.

[payxibka 10,045]

as a green card holder you are considered a US taxpayer because you pass the green card test.  You will have a filing obligation until you abandon the card.  You are not eligible for the W8BEN-E as long as you are considered a resident

[Lemonslice 4,840]

Well you have it all figured out then. 

 

Unless you have a lot of assets, dealing with the IRS is not worth it (IMO).  I have European bank accounts also and my CDs, mutual funds and ETFs have been doing just right.  

Don't forget to look at FBAR requirements if you're still a US person for tax purposes.