2019 & earlier US  INCOME TAX RETURN RETURN PREPARATION AND PLANNING FOR US EXPATRIATES  & CITIZENS LIVING IN Australia and New Zealand

 

We have  been preparing US income tax returns for US Citizens and permanent residents living in  Australia and New Zealand  for over 35 years. As a US Citizen or permanent resident you are required to file a US return each year regardless of the fact that you file and pay taxes in your residence country. The expatriate earned income exemption ($105,900 for 2019)) only can be claimed if you file a timely tax return. It is not automatic if you fail to file your return. You can also offset US taxes with foreign tax credits for the income taxes you pay in your home country.

We have scores of clients located in Australia and New Zealand  know how to integrate your US taxes into the local income taxes you pay.  Any income tax you pay there can be claimed as  a dollar for dollar credit against the tax on your US return on the same income.

As an expat living abroad you get an automatic extension to file it until June 15th following the calendar year end.  (You cannot file using the your resident country's  fiscal year for US tax purposes). You must pay any tax that may be due by April 15th in order to avoid penalties and interest. You can get an extension to file (if you request it) until October 15th.

There are other forms which must be filed if you have foreign bank or financial accounts;  foreign investment company; or own 10% or more of a foreign corporation or foreign partnership.   If you do not file these form or file them late the IRS can impose penalties of $10,000 or more per form.  These penalties are due regardless of whether you owe income taxes or not.

 There are certain times you may wish to make elections with respect to your offshore  corporation which will give you US tax benefits.  There are other situations where forming a US corporation to receive your business income may be more advantageous than using a corporation in your resident country. We can help you with these decisions.

If you are self employed under the US-Australia social security agreements you must either pay US social security or pay the social security equivalent in your country of residence if you are self employed.  There is no social security agreement with New Zealand and you must therefore always pay US self employment tax (Social Security) on your self employment income  If you are a bona-fide employee you do not have to worry about paying US social security on your wages.

When you participate in a Super Annuation Plan your contribution and that of your employer are not deductible and the earnings of the plan may be taxable to you each year.

We have helped hundreds of  US expatriates around the world catch up because they have failed to US returns for many years. Unfortunately, unlike Australia, Canada, UK, etc. you must also file so long as you are a US citizen or resident.  You can if you follow proper IRS and State Department procedures surrender your US Citizenship and therefore cut off your obligation to pay US taxes in the future. You must surrender that Citizenship for non-tax avoidance reasons and then can usually not return to the US for more than 30 days per year for the subsequent ten years.

You can more read about the Australian  income Taxes and  Procedures HER

You can read more about New Zealand income Taxes and Procedures HERE

If you have not been filing, we can help you catch up. Most often due to your high tax rates in Canada, and the foreign tax credits, you may owe nothing on your US tax returns. There is not penalty for filing late if no taxes are due.  The penalties arise with respect to late filing certain other reporting forms for foreign financial accounts, foreign corporation ownership, etc.  We can explain your exposure and help you move forward with your US return filing requirement.

Let us help you with your   US tax returns, US tax planning and other US tax and legal concerns.  Download our expat tax questionnaire below or email us to request a mini  consultation by phone, skype or email

I look forward to resolving your USA tax concerns. Thanks

Don D. Nelson, Attorney, partner in
Kauffman Nelson LLP, Certified Public Accountants

 

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Don D. Nelson,  US  INTERNATIONAL & EXPATRIATE TAX Attorney
Partner in Kauffman Nelson LLP CPAS

All returns prepared by Kauffman Nelson LLP, CPAs
US Phone (949) 480-1235    US Fax: (949) 606-9627
 SKYPE NO:
dondnelson
Whatsapp: 818-519-9219 (US)
Email inquiries & questions
ddnelson@gmail.com  or use our email inquiry form

Huntington Beach, California USA and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Our US Phone Number Abroad: 949-860-9606
               

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