Did you know that your moving expenses are tax deductible

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I don't know if this is very well known, I am not the USC so maybe it's very common knowledge, but I didn't know before, and I'm excited.

Here's the link for more info.

I for one will be shipping everything i can now!

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf

[Jasman0717 9]

Be careful, this may not necessarily apply to immigration to be with your SO

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

oh

I suppose it might not work for everyone, but since we're doing DCF my SO will be moving too, that should work, right?

[Jigi 0]

hi

I know this fact... there are some restrictions to it to ask for deduction .. like if you move away certain miles from your current home then you can claim the tax deduction. I will have to read the IRS website to confirm the same

Jigi

[Lansbury 19]

At the very best all it means is you don't pay tax on income equivalent to the moving costs, not that you get the total cost back if I've understood it correctly.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Well I'll restate my disclaimer that I'm very new to this, but it seems to me work doesn't have to be the main reason for the move, so long as the move is closely related to it in time and distance.

If your reimbursed by an employer for the expenses it get's more complicated. But from my reading it seems to be a tax deduction.

Lansbury, how do you tell the difference between a simple deductible, and something that is deducted from your taxable income?

thx, Poit

xx

[tweety 1]

Well I'll restate my disclaimer that I'm very new to this, but it seems to me work doesn't have to be the main reason for the move, so long as the move is closely related to it in time and distance.

If your reimbursed by an employer for the expenses it get's more complicated. But from my reading it seems to be a tax deduction.

Lansbury, how do you tell the difference between a simple deductible, and something that is deducted from your taxable income?

thx, Poit

xx

wrong, just from looking at the first few pages of this pdf file, it clearly states the move has to be work related (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf):

"Who Can Deduct Moving Expenses

You can deduct your moving expenses if you meet all three

of the following requirements.

1. Your move is closely related to the start of work.

2. You meet the distance test.

3. You meet the time test."

Exceptions only for Retirees, survivors, and Armed Forces members.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

But we ARE moving because of work. Yes we want to move to the US, but at the moment we are both here and working in the UK, and both of us feel that our work opportunities would be better in the US. Therefore we are moving for work, even if we haven't found the jobs before we arrive

[trailmix 77]

But we ARE moving because of work. Yes we want to move to the US, but at the moment we are both here and working in the UK, and both of us feel that our work opportunities would be better in the US. Therefore we are moving for work, even if we haven't found the jobs before we arrive

I read it the same way you do Poiteen.

[Charuhans 0]

But we ARE moving because of work. Yes we want to move to the US, but at the moment we are both here and working in the UK, and both of us feel that our work opportunities would be better in the US. Therefore we are moving for work, even if we haven't found the jobs before we arrive

I read it the same way you do Poiteen.

The Moving Expenses are not deductible if they are not closely realted to work. I don't know about your individual case, but people on this forum move to the US for immigration purposes not for working in the US. Later, when they find and start work its incidental not the primary reason for moving. Also, the deduction is available only to US Citizens or US Residents. Even if you file a joint return with your citizen/resident spouse, your move if not work related but immigration related hence the Moving Expenses deduction is not allowed. As for those who move on Work Visas, they are not US Citizens or Residents, so are anyway not eligible for the deduction.

Charuhans

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I do tax returns for a large International Bank... You can not claim your move to the US as moving expenses on your tax return even if your spouse has been living with you in another country.... Unless one of the following applies:-

1. Your spouse is employed by a US company and their place of work in outside the US and they are now returning to the US to continue their employment. (In most cases the Employer will pay your shipping costs and expenses).

2. You are returning to the US because you are retiring from employment and are aged over 55 years old or are in ill health or disabled and are receiving a retirement payment or pension.

3. You are the Survivors of a USC who was working abroad at the time of their death, you must move back to the US within 6 months of their death and you must be moving from a home you shared together.

You can not claim anything for the costs involved with immigration or the related move.

Kez

Edited October 13, 2007 by Niagaenola

[trailmix 77]

I do tax returns for a large International Bank... You can not claim your move to the US as moving expenses on your tax return even if your spouse has been living with you in another country.... Unless one of the following applies:-

1. Your spouse is employed by a US company and their place of work in outside the US and they are now returning to the US to continue their employment. (In most cases the Employer will pay your shipping costs and expenses).

2. You are returning to the US because you are retiring from employment and are aged over 55 years old or are in ill health or disabled and are receiving a retirement payment or pension.

3. You are the Survivors of a USC who was working abroad at the time of their death, you must move back to the US within 6 months of their death and you must be moving from a home you shared together.

You can not claim anything for the costs involved with immigration or the related move.

Kez

Good info - what happens if you are self employed?

[Kez/JWolf 6]

You still cant claim. as you both have to either US Citizen or Permanent Residents.before you enter the US.. so if one of you is immigrating then you will not qualify.

Kez

[Lansbury 19]

You still cant claim. as you both have to either US Citizen or Permanent Residents.before you enter the US.. so if one of you is immigrating then you will not qualify.

Kez

But cannot the USC claim it solely on their own behalf if they are over 55, retiring and going to collect a pension.

[Lansbury 19]

Lansbury, how do you tell the difference between a simple deductible, and something that is deducted from your taxable income?

I don't really know for sure which is why I said if I've read it correctly, but it is my understanding that most of the things you can claim for are deducted from taxable income not the tax you would have paid.