- I’m a U.S. citizen living and working outside of the USA for many years. Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. However, you may qualify for certain foreign earned income exclusions and/or foreign income tax credits.
- I pay income tax in a foreign country. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States?
You have to file a U.S. income tax return while working and living abroad unless you abandon your green card holder status by filing Form I-407, with the U.S. Citizen & Immigration Service, or you renounce your U.S. citizenship under certain circumstances described in the expatriation tax provisions.
- What is the due date of a U.S. income tax return?
The due date for filing a federal individual income tax return generally is April 15 of each calendar year. Your return is considered filed timely if the envelope is properly addressed and postmarked no later than April 15.
If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is delayed until the next business day. If you cannot file by the due date of your return, you can request an extension of time to file.
To receive an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return, you should file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by the due date of your return.
However, if you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, who is either:
- living outside of the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside of the United States and Puerto Rico; or
- in military or naval services on duty outside of the United States and Puerto Rico on the due date of your return,
you are allowed an automatic 2-month extension until June 15 to file your return and pay any tax due.
If you use this automatic 2-month extension, you must attach a statement to your return explaining which of the two situations qualify you for the extension.
- I just realized that I must file U.S. income tax returns for prior years. How many years back do I have to file?
Generally, you need to file returns going back six years.
For U.S. citizen or resident alien:
To determine whether you need to file a tax return for a particular year, visit https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040. At the bottom of the page select – All Form 1040 Revisions. You will see a list of all Forms 1040 and below them – a list of instructions for this forms for each year. You need to open the Form 1040 instructions for the year you need. You need read a “Do You Have To File” section in the instructions – it tells you whether you need to file a tax return for this year.
For nonresident aliens – https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040nr
- What is the status of my refund?
You can check the status of any refund you expect as soon as 24 hours after you e-file a return or 4 weeks after you file a paper return – https://www.irs.gov/ru/refunds
- I have completed my tax return and I have a balance due. How do I pay the tax liability?
Payments metods – https://www.irs.gov/payments
- How can I get a transcript for current or previous years?
Here – https://www.irs.gov/payments
Or in your online-account – https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account
- Now that I live overseas, how can I find a tax preparer?
The Internal Revenue Service published a searchable directory, listing preparers in your area. Visit the https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
- Are there other online resources designed to help taxpayers, especially those living abroad, meet their U.S. tax obligations?
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/international-taxpayers-interactive-tools