Expat FAQ
Do you have a general question on expatriation? FAQs give you answers to the most frequent questions: At Work.
US citizens: Who must complete a US Tax Return?
The question should in fact be: Who must NOT fill in a US Tax Retun? as a US citizen must fill a tax form.
There are some instances when you may not be required to complete a federal income tax return. But more than 70% of those who fill in are due a refund, so it may be to your advantage to fill even if you are not required to.
The law does require you to complete a tax return if your income is above a certain level. Check the instructions for Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ (under "filing requirements") for specific details that may affect your need to file a tax return with IRS this year (http://www.irs.gov/).
In general, once you have the following gross income amounts, the law requires you to fill a federal tax return with the IRS:Single 7,800 USD Head of Household 10,050 USD Married Filing Jointly 15,600 USD Married Filling in Separately 3,050 USD Generally, a person who is self-employed must file a tax return if his or her net earnings from self-employment for the year exceed 400 USD.
Even individuals who don't earn enough to be required to fill in a tax return may be eligible for an earned income credit up to 2,547 USD for a taxpayer with one qualifying child and 4,204 USD for a taxpayer with two or more qualifying children. Some individuals who do not have a qualifying child may be eligible for a credit of up to $382. However, you must fill in a return to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. You must also fill in a return if you received any advance payments of this credit while you worked during the year.
[10-08-2005]
There are some instances when you may not be required to complete a federal income tax return. But more than 70% of those who fill in are due a refund, so it may be to your advantage to fill even if you are not required to.
The law does require you to complete a tax return if your income is above a certain level. Check the instructions for Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ (under "filing requirements") for specific details that may affect your need to file a tax return with IRS this year (http://www.irs.gov/).
In general, once you have the following gross income amounts, the law requires you to fill a federal tax return with the IRS:
Even individuals who don't earn enough to be required to fill in a tax return may be eligible for an earned income credit up to 2,547 USD for a taxpayer with one qualifying child and 4,204 USD for a taxpayer with two or more qualifying children. Some individuals who do not have a qualifying child may be eligible for a credit of up to $382. However, you must fill in a return to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. You must also fill in a return if you received any advance payments of this credit while you worked during the year.
[10-08-2005]
- How do I apply for a social security number in the USA?
- What should you include in an Expat Contract?
- What are types of Expat Package?
- How do I apply for a National Insurance Number in the UK?
- French Pensions: How does it Work?
- German Pensions: How does it Work?
- UK Pensions: how does it work?
- Retirement in America: how does it work?
- What is a Pension Plan?
- Tax agents of the French state employees abroad
- Taxation of French employees seconded
- International tax treaty and method of taxation of the French expatriate
- Are you a French tax resident under the criteria of the French law?
- I lost my National Insurance Number - UK / London
- Pension calculation when you have contributions in several different European countries
- Claim back tax, Tax return, Tax refund in the UK, P60, P45, P85
- Special tax regime for foreign executives in Belgium
- At you one right to family allowances in Britain?
- How to set up a company in the UK?
- What does the UK tax code mean?
- What is the IR35 UK tax?
- Do you need to set up a company if you are contracting in the UK?
- What is an Umbrella Company?
- Comparison of different levels of taxation in Europe
- Pensions in the European Union
- What are the European E-forms for family benefits?
- What are the European E-forms for unemployment?
- What are the European E-forms for pensions?
- UK: I've Lost My NI Number Card, what do I do?
- What is the minimum wage in the UK?
- How do I convert my 401k plan into an IRA?
- What happens if I keep an IRA in the US while living somewhere else
- US citizens: I've married a UK citizen in UK, how do I fill my US Tax form?
- US citizens: Who must complete a US Tax Return?
- US citizens: Do I still need to fill a tax form if I become a British Citizen?
- Marriage / Divorce - Check your Social Security number (SSN)
- Do we have to pay UK taxes in the USA?
- Unemployment compensation: How to get the E301?
- What are the dole in England after leaving France?
- Domiciled or resident in the UK?
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