New Residents & Taxes

[Hannah7]

Good, but the form 1040EZ seems to be pretty big. I saw somewhere similar smaller form ...

Guestion, where to file taxes? I would love to do it electronically as I temporary live outside the country.

I looked at IRS site and was confused of all these information. I only got to third pages like 1040NOW.net , FreeFileAlliance, ... but not IRS, so I really don't know who to thrust.

Could you give me advice?

 

[dms1]

Guestion, where to file taxes? I would love to do it electronically as I temporary live outside the country.

Just use any of the numerous pieces of tax software. I always use TaxAct myself. The basic version, which still supports everything you actually need, is free as is the actual filing. I think they also support a true on-line return now rather than having to download the application, though the end result is the same.

 

[mmed]

Absolutely. I get the feeling that we've become so reliant on tax software, that when one can't do something with the software, they automatically assume that they musn't be allowed to do so by law.

I completely agree with your previous posts that "This is not tax forum" and admit now that I was wrong when I said "but tax is an important issue after GC"

 

[Hannah7]

Just use any of the numerous pieces of tax software. I always use TaxAct myself. The basic version, which still supports everything you actually need, is free as is the actual filing. I think they also support a true on-line return now rather than having to download the application, though the end result is the same.

Thank you!

I am trying to fill that all with zeros. At the END I can see that dont owe anything in Federal Refund. But I owe $6 to New York state, how come?

Sales or Use Tax = $6 - what is it??

 

[dms1]

Thank you!

I am trying to fill that all with zeros. At the END I can see that dont owe anything in Federal Refund. But I owe $6 to New York state, how come?

Sales or Use Tax = $6 - what is it??

Living in a non-income tax state I can't help you on that one, but the software should have an option to print your return and you can go through and see where the non-zero value creeps in.

By the way, I forgot to say that if this is the first time you, or your spouse if married, has filed a tax return, or if either of you is using an SSN instead of an ITIN for the first time, then you will not be able to sign the return electronically. In this case you can still submit it electronically but you then have to print out, sign and post a signature form.

 

[Hannah7]

Living in a non-income tax state I can't help you on that one, but the software should have an option to print your return and you can go through and see where the non-zero value creeps in.

By the way, I forgot to say that if this is the first time you, or your spouse if married, has filed a tax return, or if either of you is using an SSN instead of an ITIN for the first time, then you will not be able to sign the return electronically. In this case you can still submit it electronically but you then have to print out, sign and post a signature form.

Are you sure? If so, is it worth filing tax return from foreign country with zeros??

 

[TheRealCanadian]

Are you sure? If so, is it worth filing tax return from foreign country with zeros??

It's better than not filing.

 

[Hannah7]

It's better than not filing.

I would be able to do it in couple minutes online, but mail would take longer to arrive to U.S. (deadline is April 15 ).

Isn't it enough just to fill online?

Federal return seems to be easy, but I don't understand the New York return. Is it enough just to file federal tax return?

 

[dms1]

I would be able to do it in couple minutes online, but mail would take longer to arrive to U.S. (deadline is April 15 ).

Isn't it enough just to fill online?

Federal return seems to be easy, but I don't understand the New York return. Is it enough just to file federal tax return?

Your federal return has to be signed. The electronic signature process involves (*) entering the adjusted gross income from the previous year's return. I assume the IRS then look up your SSN/ITIN and check that the figure you entered matches the figure they have on file. If this is the first time you are filing a return, or are using an SSN for the first time, then there will be nothing on file to check. That's while a paper signature is needed in this case.

Living outside the US and not filing a federal return is likely to be seen as an indication that you have abandoned your residency so I would definitely recommend you file.

(*) This is the procedure that TaxACT uses. However, I suspect it is the standard IRS method and therefore would be the same with all software.

 

[TheRealCanadian]

I would be able to do it in couple minutes online, but mail would take longer to arrive to U.S. (deadline is April 15 ).

So it's late - big deal. You don't owe any taxes.

Federal return seems to be easy, but I don't understand the New York return. Is it enough just to file federal tax return?

You probably want to file the state return too. If you claim to be a NY resident, then you should file the state tax return.

See how complicated life gets when you don't actually reside in the US?

 

[Jackolantern]

Thank you!

I am trying to fill that all with zeros. At the END I can see that dont owe anything in Federal Refund. But I owe $6 to New York state, how come?

Sales or Use Tax = $6 - what is it??

Use tax is owed on purchases made outside your state for items brought into your state, in cases where they charged less sales tax than your state would have charged (this includes Internet purchases). You must have reported some purchases like that somewhere in the software if you see $6 owed to NY.

 

[Hannah7]

I have been dealing with this issue all day ...

it seems that if one has all zeros on federal tax return, it's impossible to send it electronically

 

[Jackolantern]

I would be able to do it in couple minutes online, but mail would take longer to arrive to U.S. (deadline is April 15 ).

There is no penalty for filing late if you don't owe anything. But it is a good idea to file before you are in a situation where you might need to show evidence of filing (e.g. before your next trip to the US).

However, don't use regular mail to send it internationally, use a courier with tracking like Fedex or DHL. International mail is unreliable, and you want more assurance that the return made it to the destination without falling into some crook's hands who sees your SSN and personal details.

 

[Jackolantern]

I have been dealing with this issue all day ...

it seems that if one has all zeros on federal tax return, it's impossible to send it electronically

Look through the numbers carefully and make sure every zero makes sense. Most of the figures in your case should be zero (assuming you have no interest income for your bank accounts), but in some places zero is not correct, like the exemption amounts and standard deduction.

 

[Hannah7]

See what I can see on taxact.com:

Educator expenses: $0
Certain business expenses of reservists: $0
Health savings account deduction: $0
Moving expenses: $0
One-half of self-employment taxes: $0
Self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, or qualified plan: $0
Self-employment health insurance deduction: $0
Penalty on early withdrawal of savings: $0
Alimony paid: $0
IRA deduction: $0
Student loan interest deduction: $0
Tuition and fees deduction: $0
Domestic production activities deduction: $0
Other miscellaneous deductions: $0
Standard deduction: $900
Itemized deduction - Medical and dental expenses: $0
Itemized deduction - Taxes you paid: $0
Itemized deduction - Interest you paid: $0
Itemized deduction - Gifts to charity: $0
Itemized deduction - Casualty and theft losses: $0
Itemized deduction - Miscellaneous deductions: $0
Itemized deduction - Other miscellaneous expenses: $0
Exemption allowance: $0

Your Credits and Payments:

Foreign tax credit: $0
Child and dependent care expenses: $0
Credit for the elderly and disabled: $0
Education credits: $0
Retirement savings contribution credit: $0
Child tax credit: $0
Adoption, residential energy, and QMCC credits: $0
Other credits: $0
Federal income tax withheld: $0
Estimated tax payments and applied from prior year: $0
Earned income credit: $0
Excess social security and tier I RRTA: $0
Additional child tax credit: $0
Amount paid with extension: $0
Other payments: $0
First time homebuyer credit: $0
Recovery rebate credit: $0


Do you see mistake?



If I need to file that via classic mail. Do I just put the printed and signed 1040EZ form to letter and send? To which address?

And then may I await any response to my U.S. address? Or I wonder how can I check, that IRS received my return ...

 

[dms1]

International mail is unreliable, and you want more assurance that the return made it to the destination without falling into some crook's hands who sees your SSN and personal details.

That's a bit of a blanket statement. I'm sure it depends on the countries involved. For example, I've never had problems with mail from the US to the UK and vice-versa - delivery is consistently reliable, taking 4-7 days.

In the OPs case, if he files electronically and just mails the signature card then the IRS are likely to let him know if it doesn't arrive anyway.

 

[Hannah7]

That's a bit of a blanket statement. I'm sure it depends on the countries involved. For example, I've never had problems with mail from the US to the UK and vice-versa - delivery is consistently reliable, taking 4-7 days.

In the OPs case, if he files electronically and just mails the signature card then the IRS are likely to let him know if it doesn't arrive anyway.

OK but the problem is that I somehow can't file it electronically!

Application at taxact.com doesn't allow me to send - I checked that data 10 times and really don't know what I am doing wrong ...

 

[dms1]

OK but the problem is that I somehow can't file it electronically!

Application at taxact.com doesn't allow me to send - I checked that data 10 times and really don't know what I am doing wrong ...

Are you using the online version or the downloaded software? Are you able to run the filing alerts? Does it pick up any problems?

 

[Hannah7]

Are you using the online version or the downloaded software? Are you able to run the filing alerts? Does it pick up any problems?

I am using the online version.

As far as federal tax return is concerned after completing I can see only one green semaphor which is good.

Error comes up when trying to e-file, first I got one screen saying this:

This federal return does not currently qualify for electronic filing and you may need to file a paper return.

Click the Check Federal button below to see why this federal return does not currently qualify for electronic filing.

and there is a second screen with "details" saying this:

To qualify for electronic filing your tax return must have at least one of the following included on the return. Taxable Income, Adjustments to Income, Tax Liability, Credits, Other Taxes, or Tax Payments.

You may wish to review your entries by repeating the Q&A, starting with the Basic Information tab. If after reviewing your entries, your return still does not qualify, you may wish to review the filing requirements in the IRS instructions for Form 1040 to verify that you need to file a tax return for 2008.

that's it ...

 

[dms1]

I am using the online version.

As far as federal tax return is concerned after completing I can see only one green semaphor which is good.

Error comes up when trying to e-file, first I got one screen saying this:



and there is a second screen with "details" saying this:



that's it ...

So it sounds like the IRS themselves will not accept e-filing when there is no requirement to file a return. Your easiest option is to just print out the entire return (TaxACT will print whatever forms you actually need to submit), sign it and just post it in.