First Year - Taxes - Help?
Jan 7th 2004, 4:42 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 235
First Year - Taxes - Help?
Hey everybody!
I have done my own taxes for years, but having my husband here now, and him being an alien throws a wrench in all of it. I think I have figured out that he is considered a "resident" alien for the 2003 tax year based on the fact that he was present in the US for more than 183 consecutive days.
Now...my understanding of that most rules of US citizens apply to Resident Aliens.
Here are my questions:
1) Does he have to report the money he made in Canada earlier in the year.
2) Should I seek the advise of an accountant or is this something I can do with help from the forum?
3) Are there any sites out there that address this specific situation (i.e., first year resident through marriage/fiance visa)
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jana
I have done my own taxes for years, but having my husband here now, and him being an alien throws a wrench in all of it. I think I have figured out that he is considered a "resident" alien for the 2003 tax year based on the fact that he was present in the US for more than 183 consecutive days.
Now...my understanding of that most rules of US citizens apply to Resident Aliens.
Here are my questions:
1) Does he have to report the money he made in Canada earlier in the year.
2) Should I seek the advise of an accountant or is this something I can do with help from the forum?
3) Are there any sites out there that address this specific situation (i.e., first year resident through marriage/fiance visa)
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jana
Jan 7th 2004, 4:54 am
#2
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Jana,
1) Yes.
2) yes, but yes.
3) I'm sure there is, but I can't help you find them.
Regards, JEff
1) Yes.
2) yes, but yes.
3) I'm sure there is, but I can't help you find them.
Regards, JEff
Originally posted by Jana
Hey everybody!
I have done my own taxes for years, but having my husband here now, and him being an alien throws a wrench in all of it. I think I have figured out that he is considered a "resident" alien for the 2003 tax year based on the fact that he was present in the US for more than 183 consecutive days.
Now...my understanding of that most rules of US citizens apply to Resident Aliens.
Here are my questions:
1) Does he have to report the money he made in Canada earlier in the year.
2) Should I seek the advise of an accountant or is this something I can do with help from the forum?
3) Are there any sites out there that address this specific situation (i.e., first year resident through marriage/fiance visa)
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jana
Hey everybody!
I have done my own taxes for years, but having my husband here now, and him being an alien throws a wrench in all of it. I think I have figured out that he is considered a "resident" alien for the 2003 tax year based on the fact that he was present in the US for more than 183 consecutive days.
Now...my understanding of that most rules of US citizens apply to Resident Aliens.
Here are my questions:
1) Does he have to report the money he made in Canada earlier in the year.
2) Should I seek the advise of an accountant or is this something I can do with help from the forum?
3) Are there any sites out there that address this specific situation (i.e., first year resident through marriage/fiance visa)
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jana
Jan 7th 2004, 5:03 am
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 235
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by jeffreyhy
Jana,
1) Yes.
2) yes, but yes.
3) I'm sure there is, but I can't help you find them.
Regards, JEff
Jana,
1) Yes.
2) yes, but yes.
3) I'm sure there is, but I can't help you find them.
Regards, JEff
Wow! Very informative response. Anyone else care to elaborate?
Jan 7th 2004, 11:54 am
#4
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Jana,
????
You asked yes/no questions.... What elaboration are you looking for?
Regards, JEff
????
You asked yes/no questions.... What elaboration are you looking for?
Regards, JEff
Originally posted by Jana
Wow! Very informative response. Anyone else care to elaborate?
Wow! Very informative response. Anyone else care to elaborate?
Jan 7th 2004, 12:12 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,033
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Jana, a very helpful link about this is at http://tinyurl.com/36c6l .
Just take some time to read through it all, it's not as bad as it seems at first.
Pay extra attention to the part about 'non-resident or dual status aliens' on page 6.
Good luck,
Elaine
Just take some time to read through it all, it's not as bad as it seems at first.
Pay extra attention to the part about 'non-resident or dual status aliens' on page 6.
Good luck,
Elaine
Jan 7th 2004, 1:29 pm
#6
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by jeffreyhy
Jana,
1) Yes.
2) yes, but yes.
3) I'm sure there is, but I can't help you find them.
Regards, JEff
Jana,
1) Yes.
2) yes, but yes.
3) I'm sure there is, but I can't help you find them.
Regards, JEff
Qualification on JEff's response to point 1 ...
1) Yes, even if he has declared and paid taxes on the monies in Canada, the earnings must be declared on the US Federal Form and then deducted before the calculation of tax owed is made.
Re Point 3) there use to be a tax discussion by Mike Jones (the FAQ Guy) on the FAQ page but I see that Steve has taken it off and rearranged pages so I can't find things easily any longer.
Rete
Rete
Jan 7th 2004, 1:55 pm
#7
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by Jana
Hey everybody!
I have done my own taxes for years, but having my husband here now, and him being an alien throws a wrench in all of it. I think I have figured out that he is considered a "resident" alien for the 2003 tax year based on the fact that he was present in the US for more than 183 consecutive days.
Now...my understanding of that most rules of US citizens apply to Resident Aliens.
Here are my questions:
1) Does he have to report the money he made in Canada earlier in the year.
2) Should I seek the advise of an accountant or is this something I can do with help from the forum?
3) Are there any sites out there that address this specific situation (i.e., first year resident through marriage/fiance visa)
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jana
Hey everybody!
I have done my own taxes for years, but having my husband here now, and him being an alien throws a wrench in all of it. I think I have figured out that he is considered a "resident" alien for the 2003 tax year based on the fact that he was present in the US for more than 183 consecutive days.
Now...my understanding of that most rules of US citizens apply to Resident Aliens.
Here are my questions:
1) Does he have to report the money he made in Canada earlier in the year.
2) Should I seek the advise of an accountant or is this something I can do with help from the forum?
3) Are there any sites out there that address this specific situation (i.e., first year resident through marriage/fiance visa)
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jana
web.ukonline.co.uk/jm.johnson/tax.htm
Jan 7th 2004, 2:50 pm
#8
I'm back!
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 4,316
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
I also found this link at the IRS site helpful:
International Taxpayer: Nonresident Alien Spouse
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...=96734,00.html
Even so, all this tax stuff has got me anxious. I can barely fill out my own returns on a 1040EZ!! Maybe we should look into working with a tax preparer this year... *sigh*
~ Jenney
International Taxpayer: Nonresident Alien Spouse
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...=96734,00.html
Even so, all this tax stuff has got me anxious. I can barely fill out my own returns on a 1040EZ!! Maybe we should look into working with a tax preparer this year... *sigh*
~ Jenney
Jan 7th 2004, 3:06 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Location: Spokane, WA USA
Posts: 105
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Angelus71 and I have started thinking about this as well.
I've done my taxes on-line, easy to do 1..2..3...Always did my taxes on Feb 1st and had refund by Feb 14. But I think it'll get a bit more complicated now. Angelus71 has been here 161 consecutive days in 2003, so I beleive he is considered "nonresident".
Does anyone know if he would need some sort of paperwork from England? I'm quite confused.
Maybe we should go see an accountant for this.
Does anyone have an accountant in NYC that they can recommend?
AdiaStar
I've done my taxes on-line, easy to do 1..2..3...Always did my taxes on Feb 1st and had refund by Feb 14. But I think it'll get a bit more complicated now. Angelus71 has been here 161 consecutive days in 2003, so I beleive he is considered "nonresident".
Does anyone know if he would need some sort of paperwork from England? I'm quite confused.
Maybe we should go see an accountant for this.
Does anyone have an accountant in NYC that they can recommend?
AdiaStar
Jan 7th 2004, 3:26 pm
#10
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by Jenney & Mark
I also found this link at the IRS site helpful:
International Taxpayer: Nonresident Alien Spouse
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...=96734,00.html
Even so, all this tax stuff has got me anxious. I can barely fill out my own returns on a 1040EZ!! Maybe we should look into working with a tax preparer this year... *sigh*
~ Jenney
I also found this link at the IRS site helpful:
International Taxpayer: Nonresident Alien Spouse
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...=96734,00.html
Even so, all this tax stuff has got me anxious. I can barely fill out my own returns on a 1040EZ!! Maybe we should look into working with a tax preparer this year... *sigh*
~ Jenney
IF you do deductions, the cost of tax preparer is tax deductible.
Jan 7th 2004, 3:38 pm
#11
jingling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,123
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by cindyabs
IF you do deductions, the cost of tax preparer is tax deductible.
IF you do deductions, the cost of tax preparer is tax deductible.
Cindy, just to show how I lose it when I think about taxes, I first read your reply as "the cost of tax paper is tax deductible." :scared: I better get some more coffee...
Juliet
Jan 7th 2004, 7:27 pm
#12
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 235
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by jcapulet
I think we might be looking into having a professional help us with our taxes too. I really really REALLY hate doing even my own taxes. And it's nothing complex, either, a simple 1040 EZ! I think I just am afraid of anything that has to do with numbers LOL.
Cindy, just to show how I lose it when I think about taxes, I first read your reply as "the cost of tax paper is tax deductible." :scared: I better get some more coffee...
Juliet
I think we might be looking into having a professional help us with our taxes too. I really really REALLY hate doing even my own taxes. And it's nothing complex, either, a simple 1040 EZ! I think I just am afraid of anything that has to do with numbers LOL.
Cindy, just to show how I lose it when I think about taxes, I first read your reply as "the cost of tax paper is tax deductible." :scared: I better get some more coffee...
Juliet
Jan 7th 2004, 7:28 pm
#13
jingling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,123
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
Originally posted by Jana
My whole office is looking at me because I can't stop laughing at 'tax paper'
My whole office is looking at me because I can't stop laughing at 'tax paper'
Jan 7th 2004, 7:44 pm
#14
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Louisville, KY/Germany
Posts: 526
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
I called the IRS this morning about this same issue. The two options I was given are:
1. File married jointly. If we do this my husband is choosing to file as a resident and must report his earnings from Germany.
or
2. I file married separate and because my husband did not earn any US income he is not required to file anything.
Seems simple enough and the IRS employees were very kind and helpful.
1. File married jointly. If we do this my husband is choosing to file as a resident and must report his earnings from Germany.
or
2. I file married separate and because my husband did not earn any US income he is not required to file anything.
Seems simple enough and the IRS employees were very kind and helpful.
Jan 7th 2004, 8:19 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 135
Re: First Year - Taxes - Help?
I thought anyone was able to file as a "resident" for tax purposes - remember that the term "resident" is very different whether your talking about the BCIS or the IRS!!!! The IRS can count you as a resident for tax purposes when BCIS doesn't. Only under certain circumstances can you file a 1040NR or 1040NREZ, but at any time you can file a 1040 regular. That was my understanding - this is my 6th year filing US taxes, but my first as a married NRA. I'm planning to file jointly as a resident.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Originally posted by jcapulet
I think we might be looking into having a professional help us with our taxes too. I really really REALLY hate doing even my own taxes. And it's nothing complex, either, a simple 1040 EZ! I think I just am afraid of anything that has to do with numbers LOL.
Cindy, just to show how I lose it when I think about taxes, I first read your reply as "the cost of tax paper is tax deductible." :scared: I better get some more coffee...
Juliet
I think we might be looking into having a professional help us with our taxes too. I really really REALLY hate doing even my own taxes. And it's nothing complex, either, a simple 1040 EZ! I think I just am afraid of anything that has to do with numbers LOL.
Cindy, just to show how I lose it when I think about taxes, I first read your reply as "the cost of tax paper is tax deductible." :scared: I better get some more coffee...
Juliet