REMINDER: ALL USA CITIZENS MUST FILE TAXES WITH THE IRS!

[thehaggard]

You don't even have to file AT ALL if your reportable income is as stated in Publication 54 page, top of 3rd column:

Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file an income tax return. Generally, you must file a return for 2011 if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status in the following table.

Single earning less that $9500
head of house earning less than 12,200
Married filing jointly earning less than 19,000

So if you are earning only enough pay in Taiwan to get by... and some of us are not working to get rich... it is possible that you may not even need to file paperwork at all. Of course, then it will be a pain if you have to show reporting for the last several years for one reason or another (like to take home a Taiwanese spouse). But I have not filed in 7 years because I simply don't make enough reportable income (as my CPA has told me is legal and right, so not just my opinion). I know that the laws are changing and I WILL need to file soon... that pisses me off, and scares me when I do file (will they flag me for audit).

[Jive Turkey]

Got a question about my tax filings:

I made a mistake and neglected to write down my son's SSN on last years returns, and the IRS sent me a letter telling me I owed some money. Problem easily solved, but on the form, they also said I didn't supply an SSN or ITIN (individual taxpayer Id Number) for my tai tai. Now, I never have since she has neither.

So, the question is do you guys write an ITIN on your tax forms for your spouse, and if so, how'd ya get it?

Thanks.

jdseeks

My attorney told me to write Taiwan person in that blank and thats what I did and they never bothered me about it. That was 10 years ago though.

The IRS seems to be getting nosier these days. It seems that they now want non-resident citizens with non-resident alien spouses to get an ITIN even if filing separately or as head of household. I think a Forumosa poster mentioned getting a letter from the IRS asking her to get/use an ITIN for her non-US person spouse. I am able to file as head of household and have just written "NR alien, no SSN" in the SSN blank on Form 1040. I have not gotten any complaints from the IRS so far, but I only just did my 2010 filing. Maybe I'll get a letter soon.

You get an ITIN by filing Form W-7. It asks for some personal details that non-resident aliens might feel are none of the US government's business. My wife has made it clear that the only "information" she would allow me to file on the form is specific advice to the IRS as to where they can put the form. I feel that the information you are supposed to put on the form is not especially private, but I do object in principle to their nosiness. Other than having married a US citizen overseas, my wife has no ties to the US. Why should the USG presume any authority to request her personal details?

The American Citizens Abroad website addresses a lot of the issues one might face when filing from overseas:
http://www.aca.ch/joomla/index.php
I think there might be one or two articles there about ITINs.

[nonredneck]

Got a question about my tax filings:

I made a mistake and neglected to write down my son's SSN on last years returns, and the IRS sent me a letter telling me I owed some money. Problem easily solved, but on the form, they also said I didn't supply an SSN or ITIN (individual taxpayer Id Number) for my tai tai. Now, I never have since she has neither.

So, the question is do you guys write an ITIN on your tax forms for your spouse, and if so, how'd ya get it?

Thanks.

jdseeks

ITIN can be applied for using the information supplied by the IRS here.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/int ... 96,00.html

For ID, it seems like the easiest way is to get a certificated copy of your SO's passport and then have it apostilled.

[nonredneck]

Why should the USG presume any authority to request her personal details?

The US are getting financially weak and dying. In their transition to a communist totalitarian state, they implement currency controls and tracking on money that one can bring in or out of the country. They are desperate to get money because they are insolvent.

There is currently a proposed law that will tie passport renewal to paying your taxes. If that passes, I can easily imagine them requiring you to file taxes with your non-resident spouse or risk not getting your passport renewed.

[thirdstring]

My apologies for going a bit off topic but I have a question about U.S. taxes for American citizens living in Taiwan. I am a 52 y/o, married with 2 children. Still living and working in the U.S. but expect to move (retire) to Taiwan within the next 5 years (wife is Taiwanese). U.S. income from pension etc. will be > $50K - $60K per year. I expect income from Taiwanese sources will be minimal. Is tax treatment of U.S-based income of persons living abroad (e.g. deductions, tax rates) the same as living in the U.S. Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

Timabee, like Northcoast Surfer said, the exclusion only applies to foreign earned income (reported on line 7 of the 1040, exempted on line 21). Your pensions will be on line 16a. Deductions, credits, etc, will be the same in the US or Taiwan if your earned income (salary) is $0 (unless your children are tax dependents, which is a different story).
For example, my rental home in the US still has to file just the same, as does the IRA I rolled into a Roth.

Disclaimer: I am not a tax professional.