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Personal Tax Returns

An American expat should know that they have to file US tax returns, but not every expat.
This depends on the various thresholds that have been given by the IRS.

U.S Tax Pros helps you to identify your filing status in an easy manner and helps you along the entire tax filing procedure.

The IRS (Internal Revenue System) gives a lengthy list for expats to check for various thresholds for filing taxes.

For example: Single Filer Expats who earned more than US$12,550 in total globally (US$14,250 if age 65 or older) or maybe just US$400 for self-employed workers or just US$5 of any income if they are married to a foreigner but file separately are required to file a US federal tax return reporting their worldwide income.

Here are some 2021 Minimum Filing Thresholds that you can relate to –

Single filing Status:
US$12,550 if under age 65
US $14,250 if age 65 or older

Married filing jointly:
US$25,100 if both spouses under age 65
US$26,450 if one spouse under age 65 and one age 65 or older
US$27,800 if both spouses age 65 or older

Married filing separately — $5 for all ages

Head of household:
US$18,800 if under age 65
US$20,500 if age 65 or older

Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child:
US$25,100 if under age 65
US$26,450 if age 65 or older

Confused yet? If not, this will throw you for a loop.

There are times when it pays to file a tax return even if you come in below the threshold!

Reason #1 – You are owed a refund!
Reason #1 – Money was withheld from your US paycheck whilst working outside the US, and you had to pay tax on those earning in the country where you expatriated to. Those withholdings may be refundable.

A Plan for Every US Expat

BASIC
PACKAGE

FORMS INCLUDED

Basic 1040 + FBAR

Single
Married Filing Joint
Married Filling Separate
Head of Household
Qualifying Widower

PROFESSIONAL
PACKAGE

FORMS INCLUDED

Basic Package + 1 Form:

Schedule C (1 Business)
Schedule E (1 Property)

5471 (Informational Return of a Foreign Corporation)

STREAMLINED
FILING PROCEDURE

This IRS program allows expats who have not filed to catch up on their taxes penalty free.

3 years of Form 1040 and 6 years of FBAR are required.

Contact us to determine eligibility and any additional forms.

If you are an accidental American or looking to renounce your citizenship we can help with the process.

FAQs

What are the streamlined filing procedures?

Use our simple 9 question survey and we will give you a clear idea of the investment for working with us.

I earn money from my US employer but live overseas… Who has first taxing rights?

The answer to this is quite simple in most cases it all depends on where you are physically located while performing the work.

Where you are working and living will generally have first taxing rights.

Meaning if you’re working in New Zealand the IRD may have first taxing rights on your income.

But there are always exceptions to the rule and the team at US Tax Pros in Auckland can help.

I am a US expat – What do I need to know?

Although most US expats don’t need to pay any income tax to the US you are still required to file your tax returns each year with the IRS especially if you earn a wage.

You need to report your foreign earnings, foreign bank accounts, Kiwisaver growth and even other foreign assets if you have foreign financial assets above a certain threshold.

If you didn’t know about expat taxes previously, don’t worry, there are programs geared to help you get back on track. The streamlined tax filing procedures are a great way to catch up on your unfilled taxes in a penalty free way.

What is the tax rate for US expats?

Expats who are employed by US employers, foreign employers, or are self-employed have to pay a certain percentage of their income as tax to the US government above a certain income threshold.

However, a lot of other factors like income level, types of investment, number of dependents, foreign property, and state tax affect the amount of tax you’ll pay.

See the 15-point guide to tax returns for expats to understand this better.