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DV 2015 Winners Meet Here

adela15 said:
Hello,

We entered yesterday through Montreal, and the passports got stamped, but we were told that we do not need to fill in Form I-551 as we will receive
the cards automatically..is that true? I asked again that on some paper from US Embassy it says we need to fill in the Form I-551, but the immigrant
officer said that it is not done anymore and the cards will arrived at the address we mentioned .

Please let me know if you think this process was ok, or should I call USCIS or some other US department responsible for green cards.

Thank you.

Adela.
Click to expand...

The IO's response is correct, you don't fill out a form I-551 at the POE or any other place. Your IV issued at the end of your interview automatically becomes your I-551 (a temporary visa) upon endorsement at the POE.

Welcome to the US!
 
Sm1smom said:
The IO's response is correct, you don't fill out a form I-551 at the POE or any other place. Your IV issued at the end of your interview automatically becomes your I-551 (a temporary visa) upon endorsement at the POE.

Welcome to the US!
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
Hello,

So, when I file USA tax return, I have been only 2 days in 2015 in USA ( entered 30 Dec). How will they know that I have only been 2 days-
it is shown in my passport of course, but I do not think that is required to send with tax return?

And I worked in Canada and worked taxes in Canada for part of 2015.

For US tax return, shall I declare the income that I earned in 2015 and mention somewhere that I only entered on 30 Dec?

Thank you for your answer.

Adela.
 
adela15 said:
Hello,

So, when I file USA tax return, I have been only 2 days in 2015 in USA ( entered 30 Dec). How will they know that I have only been 2 days-
it is shown in my passport of course, but I do not think that is required to send with tax return?

And I worked in Canada and worked taxes in Canada for part of 2015.

For US tax return, shall I declare the income that I earned in 2015 and mention somewhere that I only entered on 30 Dec?

Thank you for your answer.

Adela.
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure that you do not have to file taxes for 2015 because sounds like you have spend less than a month in the whole year. I am sure you did not have employer as well as an income. Bottomline: No worries. I will always remember you being worried about things but I thoroughly understand your situation and you are not alone in being worried in life in general. I wish yiu all the best in the US this year and a prospereous life.
 
adela15 said:
Hello,

So, when I file USA tax return, I have been only 2 days in 2015 in USA ( entered 30 Dec). How will they know that I have only been 2 days-
it is shown in my passport of course, but I do not think that is required to send with tax return?

And I worked in Canada and worked taxes in Canada for part of 2015.

For US tax return, shall I declare the income that I earned in 2015 and mention somewhere that I only entered on 30 Dec?

Thank you for your answer.

Adela.
Click to expand...
bici said:
I am pretty sure that you do not have to file taxes for 2015 because sounds like you have spend less than a month in the whole year. I am sure you did not have employer as well as an income. Bottomline: No worries. I will always remember you being worried about things but I thoroughly understand your situation and you are not alone in being worried in life in general. I wish yiu all the best in the US this year and a prospereous life.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but Bici is completely incorrect. Yes you do have to file taxes for the year of 2015 since you became a resident in that year. It is unlikely you will have to pay anything, but you will have to file. I suggest you talk to a tax professional to file for the first year at least.
 
Agree with britsimon re getting a tax professional to file the first year.
Also I triple checked this, as I entered the US 26th December when I landed as a resident. If you are in the US for one day of the year as a LPR you are required to submit a tax return (although it is highly unlikely you would owe any tax).
 
Britsimon said:
Sorry, but Bici is completely incorrect. Yes you do have to file taxes for the year of 2015 since you became a resident in that year. It is unlikely you will have to pay anything, but you will have to file. I suggest you talk to a tax professional to file for the first year at least.
Click to expand...
Ok. Thank you. Yes, I plan to talk with a tax specialist.
 
Britsimon said:
Sorry, but Bici is completely incorrect. Yes you do have to file taxes for the year of 2015 since you became a resident in that year. It is unlikely you will have to pay anything, but you will have to file. I suggest you talk to a tax professional to file for the first year at least.
Click to expand...
I do not think that I am completely incorrect. Adela 15 entered the US on December 30, 2015. To my understanding she did not have an amployer and so no salary income in two days which will mean no W-2. If britsimon says that you have to file taxes, I strongly doubt it. You probably can consider filing 1040-EZ form so thst some if your moving expenses are tax credited on your behalf but otherwise I do not think that you have to. Did you not cross the border and drive all the way down to Houston as far as I recall? You did not spend even a day in any state for your state taxes. I might be remembering yiur travel plans wrong though. Nevertheless you might consider talking to a tax expert. That might be the best idea. Even some of them may not know every detail so I would open a Turbotax account and send your inquiry to them. You may call them as well. They are the best. Best Wishes. Please share your experience with this once you better know the answer.
 
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bici said:
I do not think that I am completely incorrect. Adela 15 entered the US on December 30, 2015. To my understanding she did not have an amployer and so no salary income in two days which will mean no W-2. If britsimon says that you have to file taxes, I strongly doubt it. You probably can consider filing 1040-EZ form so thst some if your moving expenses are tax credited on your behalf but otherwise I do not think that you have to. Did you not cross the border and drive all the way down to Houston as far as I recall? You did not spend even a day in any state for your state taxes. I might be remembering yiur travel plans wrong though. Nevertheless you might consider talking to a tax expert. That might be the best idea. Even some of them may not know every detail so I would open a Turbotax account and send your inquiry to them. You may call them as well. They are the best. Best Wishes. Please share your experience with this once you better know the answer.
Click to expand...

You are incorrect. According to the IRS website you are liable to file if you meet the green card test - as simple as, if you are an LPR at any time during that year, you need to file. This is not the same as needing to pay tax, you seem to be getting confused there. You may be able to get away with not filing for state taxes - but you need to file with the IRS. And when you go for naturalization, they want proof that you filed all tax returns you were liable for.

Direct quote from the IRS website: (I added the underline)
You are a resident, for U.S. federal tax purposes, if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States at any time during the calendar year. This is known as the "green card" test.
Source: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Alien-Residency---Green-Card-Test
It goes on to say that if you do not meet the substantial presence test (which someone in the US for only a few days won't), "your residency starting date is the first day on which you are present in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident". That is you, the moment you cross the border having entered on an immigrant visa.

I am assuming you know that as soon as you are an LPR you are liable for tax on your worldwide income, even if you are residing and working outside the US while earning it.

(Moving expenses tax credited? For a private move? Huh?)

Turbotax is a bad idea for something like this. Not a lot of US tax experts know the intricacies of filing for the first year when you are non resident for part of it and resident for the rest of it.
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Taxation-of-Dual-Status-Aliens
 
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bici said:
I do not think that I am completely incorrect. Adela 15 entered the US on December 30, 2015. To my understanding she did not have an amployer and so no salary income in two days which will mean no W-2. If britsimon says that you have to file taxes, I strongly doubt it. You probably can consider filing 1040-EZ form so thst some if your moving expenses are tax credited on your behalf but otherwise I do not think that you have to. Did you not cross the border and drive all the way down to Houston as far as I recall? You did not spend even a day in any state for your state taxes. I might be remembering yiur travel plans wrong though. Nevertheless you might consider talking to a tax expert. That might be the best idea. Even some of them may not know every detail so I would open a Turbotax account and send your inquiry to them. You may call them as well. They are the best. Best Wishes. Please share your experience with this once you better know the answer.
Click to expand...

I went by plane from Montreal to Houston in the end , but got back to Canada on Jan 4...plan to move across border to NY (Massena area) and drive daily to Canada till I get a new job - but its quite a drive, or move for good to USA in March ...I am not decided which way to go with...where are you now? Thank you for advice , I will open a TurboTax account.
 
SusieQQQ said:
You are incorrect. According to the IRS website you are liable to file if you meet the green card test - as simple as, if you are an LPR at any time during that year, you need to file. This is not the same as needing to pay tax, you seem to be getting confused there. You may be able to get away with not filing for state taxes - but you need to file with the IRS. And when you go for naturalization, they want proof that you filed all tax returns you were liable for.

Direct quote from the IRS website: (I added the underline)
You are a resident, for U.S. federal tax purposes, if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States at any time during the calendar year. This is known as the "green card" test.
Source: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Alien-Residency---Green-Card-Test
It goes on to say that if you do not meet the substantial presence test (which someone in the US for only a few days won't), "your residency starting date is the first day on which you are present in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident". That is you, the moment you cross the border having entered on an immigrant visa.

I am assuming you know that as soon as you are an LPR you are liable for tax on your worldwide income, even if you are residing and working outside the US while earning it.

(Moving expenses tax credited? For a private move? Huh?)

Turbotax is a bad idea for something like this. Not a lot of US tax experts know the intricacies of filing for the first year when you are non resident for part of it and resident for the rest of it.
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Taxation-of-Dual-Status-Aliens
Click to expand...
You are almost completely wrong. Read well what substantial presence test is. According what we all know she was here for two days in the 2015. She might have done with green card test but there is one more: substantial presence test.
Moving expenses- cannot be solely counted as private. You are here for a specific reason. You left your previous home and work to find the same here. We did not come here to visit Disneyland and go back. What private move are you talking about?
Yes, I knew since 25 years that if someone has a green card then (s)he has liabilities for worldwide income.
Turbotax issue is another thing that you are wrong- in her case. Read her case and tell me why you still thought Turbotax would be bad for here? She does not have 1 day resident and the other day as non-resident status. If she likes, she can choose the non-resident status due to the result of her substantialt presence test.
 
adela15 said:
I went by plane from Montreal to Houston in the end , but got back to Canada on Jan 4...plan to move across border to NY (Massena area) and drive daily to Canada till I get a new job - but its quite a drive, or move for good to USA in March ...I am not decided which way to go with...where are you now? Thank you for advice , I will open a TurboTax account.
Click to expand...
I see. Watch for your daily commutes back and forth to NY. The border police will not like that and you may end up loosing your card. They want to see you have your home being the US. Otherwise, do not be afraid to open a TT account. I do not have any income from TT or am its employee. It is just such a well developed program that the professionals developed and you will never miss any itemized qualified expense. If you have a question you can save your application, learn the answer and come back and continue with the application.
 
bici said:
You are almost completely wrong. Read well what substantial presence test is. According what we all know she was here for two days in the 2015. She might have done with green card test but there is one more: substantial presence test.
Moving expenses- cannot be solely counted as private. You are here for a specific reason. You left your previous home and work to find the same here. We did not come here to visit Disneyland and go back. What private move are you talking about?
Yes, I knew since 25 years that if someone has a green card then (s)he has liabilities for worldwide income.
Turbotax issue is another thing that you are wrong- in her case. Read her case and tell me why you still thought Turbotax would be bad for here? She does not have 1 day resident and the other day as non-resident status. If she likes, she can choose the non-resident status due to the result of her substantialt presence test.
Click to expand...

Read again, if EITHER green card OR substantial presence is met she is liable for filing. Again: If either is met she is liable for filing. She doesn't get to choose. If one of those is met she is liable.
As for moving expenses being tax deductible, you're smoking your socks.
 
adela15 said:
Hello,

So, when I file USA tax return, I have been only 2 days in 2015 in USA ( entered 30 Dec). How will they know that I have only been 2 days-
it is shown in my passport of course, but I do not think that is required to send with tax return?

And I worked in Canada and worked taxes in Canada for part of 2015.

For US tax return, shall I declare the income that I earned in 2015 and mention somewhere that I only entered on 30 Dec?

Thank you for your answer.

Adela.
Click to expand...
Depending on personal circumstances, it might not necessarily have been a great idea to activate your Green Card on 12/30/2015, due to IRS tax filing obligations. Yet it is what it is, welcome to the brave new world of US tax filings... ;)
 
bici said:
You are almost completely wrong. Read well what substantial presence test is. According what we all know she was here for two days in the 2015. She might have done with green card test but there is one more: substantial presence test.
Moving expenses- cannot be solely counted as private. You are here for a specific reason. You left your previous home and work to find the same here. We did not come here to visit Disneyland and go back. What private move are you talking about?
Yes, I knew since 25 years that if someone has a green card then (s)he has liabilities for worldwide income.
Turbotax issue is another thing that you are wrong- in her case. Read her case and tell me why you still thought Turbotax would be bad for here? She does not have 1 day resident and the other day as non-resident status. If she likes, she can choose the non-resident status due to the result of her substantialt presence test.
Click to expand...

Bici, would you PLEASE stop repeating this OBVIOUSLY incorrect point of view!

This is VERY simple. A direct quote (in red) from the IRS - and a link below - it could not be any clearer.

Residency Starting Date under the Green Card Test
If you meet the green card test at any time during a calendar year, but do not meet the substantial presence test for that year, your residency starting date is the first day in the calendar year on which you are present in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (the date on which the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially approved your petition to become an Immigrant).

If you receive your green card abroad, then the residency starting date is your first day of physical presence in the United States after you receive your green card. Section 7701(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code allows you to be treated as a resident alien for the entire calendar year if you were a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States at any time during the calendar year, if you have been present in the United States for at least one day during the calendar year.

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Residency-Starting-and-Ending-Dates


and just in case that isn't clear enough, here is another link...

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p519/ch01.html
 
EURO2014 said:
Depending on personal circumstances, it might not necessarily have been a great idea to activate your Green Card on 12/30/2015, due to IRS tax filing obligations. Yet it is what it is, welcome to the brave new world of US tax filings... ;)
Click to expand...

Bici is making it all sound like it is a huge issue, when it isn't. We entered on 26 December. So we paid a tax guy to get the forms submitted, big deal. Unless you are an absolute gazillionaire there is no way you will earn enough income in a few days to be liable to pay any tax. Form filed, obligation ticked, when we go for naturalization and they want to see that we have met all IRS commitments, box ticked.
 
Britsimon said:
Bici, would you PLEASE stop repeating this OBVIOUSLY incorrect point of view!

This is VERY simple. A direct quote (in red) from the IRS - and a link below - it could not be any clearer.

Residency Starting Date under the Green Card Test
If you meet the green card test at any time during a calendar year, but do not meet the substantial presence test for that year, your residency starting date is the first day in the calendar year on which you are present in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (the date on which the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially approved your petition to become an Immigrant).

If you receive your green card abroad, then the residency starting date is your first day of physical presence in the United States after you receive your green card. Section 7701(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code allows you to be treated as a resident alien for the entire calendar year if you were a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States at any time during the calendar year, if you have been present in the United States for at least one day during the calendar year.

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Residency-Starting-and-Ending-Dates


and just in case that isn't clear enough, here is another link...

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p519/ch01.html
Click to expand...
Brit, SusiQQQ: You all listen me very well. You know that filing taxes will not be the same for you as is for her. She will not have any W-2 from any employer, she will not show any income and eventually since she is going to be well below the gross annual income limit, she will not OWE any penny to the IRS. When it comes to the citizenship issue: She just needs to have nothing owed to IRS, did not do any felony/misdemeanor and couple more things we all very well know about. So, what are we still discussing? I already mentioned that she could consider filing a 1040-EZ for her for her federal taxes and not to worry about the state. I filed taxes in the past more than the sum of you two under a different visa, used local agents as well as online programs and so do not try to teach me the tax basics. All I did not know could be the difference between the two statuses (green card and non-resident status) and their requirements. Every time I enter this platform I am seeing people arguing about little things, being bossy and a lot of times rude. I will never log into this platform again!
 
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