Travelling and taxes...confused!

[oat12 29]

4 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

I can’t help with that because we have never used a paid preparer. But there is a tax  forum here on Visa Journey. It will get very active in Jan/Feb. Too early now to solve your detailed tax return issues because the IRS is still finalizing 2022.

There are some very knowledgeable persons who will help and some flakey ones too. Don’t think the first answer you get is the best one. Wait awhile, a day or two, and let the replies come in. You’ll recognize the ones that seem knowledgeable.  
Tips:

• Make a timeline so people know when you married, entered US, on what visa, etc. Give information about when you quit working in the UK, if you had an employer who paid a regular salary or if self employed. Did you work any at a US job in 2022.
• Use IRS.gov as a source of information. Publication 519 US Tax Guide for Aliens is a good starting place. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf
• Figure out your UK gross earnings in 2022. You don’t need any paper proof from HMRC. It is self-reported. 
• Don’t expect to use TurboTax free online. Your return is more complicated and they will add charges when you start needing the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (form 2555). And you can only have one return going. I always recommend purchasing a CD or a download of TurboTax Deluxe to install on a computer or laptop. Big retailers start sales in January and are always cheaper that the TurboTax website. I paid $39.95 last year at Sam’s Club.  With TurboTax Deluxe installed, you can create many returns under new file names to compare…Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately.

 

See you in the Tax Forum in late January if you decide to give it a go doing your own return or getting more information.

 

 

Thank you so much for this!