Fiscal Stimulus - not a masturbation thread

[Iraira]

For the pesky members of the American Empire:
Who got their $300 economic stimulus check?
Who hasn't paid a dime to Uncle Sam in the ____ years they've been here?
How many people do I have to buy drinks for?

[Greji]

How many people do I have to buy drinks for?

Ahhh, you rang?

[Visitor K]

i dont even file for taxes, but other 'mexpats' down here said the economic stimulus thing was only for people who pay taxes in the states.

[Kuang_Grade]

i dont even file for taxes, but other 'mexpats' down here said the economic stimulus thing was only for people who pay taxes in the states.

Well, to get it, you need to file something with the IRS for 2007, even if it is a form that effectively says "hey, I don't owe any taxes for 2007". If you don't file anything for 2007 you won't get it.

You can find out details about what to do here in this previous thread.

http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20157

[Tommybar]

If you have not been filing, I suggest you do so. They finally caught up to me after 17 years of not filing and I have not lived there for over 30 years.

According to the IRS website, the IRS is spending more time tracing expats.

[ketchupkatsu]

If you have not been filing, I suggest you do so. They finally caught up to me after 17 years of not filing and I have not lived there for over 30 years.

According to the IRS website, the IRS is spending more time tracing expats.

I thought if you spend less than 30 days in country each calendar year you don't have to file a US tax return.

[GomiGirl]

I thought if you spend less than 30 days in country each calendar year you don't have to file a US tax return.

Ummm no. I am not American but even I know that Americans need to put in a tax every year. Plus it is the only country that charges tax for income earned overseas - but only if you earn over a thresh-hold - $80K or something like that.

Plus I have *heard* (no evidence - just heard during dinner conversation)
If you decide to give up your US citizenship, you are still required to pay taxes for up to 10 years. Or you can opt to pay a lump sum when you renounce your citizenship.

Perhaps some of the people who a) are American and b) know what they are talking about can give the actual facts and cites but this is just what I have heard.

Sounds like you need to speak to a financial type person to get all your ducks in line. You may be in for a nasty shock.

[FG Lurker]

If you decide to give up your US citizenship, you are still required to pay taxes for up to 10 years. Or you can opt to pay a lump sum when you renounce your citizenship.

This is only if the IRS decides that you gave up your citizenship to avoid paying US taxes.

[Iraira]

Ummm no. I am not American but even I know that Americans need to put in a tax every year. Plus it is the only country that charges tax for income earned overseas - but only if you earn over a thresh-hold - $80K or something like that.

I think that they upped it to 85K this year. I'm getting close, so I gotta get fired soon....I wish.

[ketchupkatsu]

Thanks Gomigirl.

Just talked with a buddy in the US and he said that although you don't have to pay US taxes if you lived and worked 330 days outside the US, you have to meet the requirements and file a foreign income exclusion form, and an income tax form.

But on the bright side, he said that because there most likely are no taxes owed to the US, there most likely will be no penalty or fine, and that might qualify to receive a stimulus check for 600USD:)

[Tommybar]

Although (for 2007) you have to pay taxes on anything over $85,700, you are also allowed a 'Housing Allowance' deduction. For Tokyo-to it is $99.73 a day or around $36,400 a year for a total deduction of $122,100. The 'Housing Allowance' value depends on where you live and is based on the local economy verse State side average.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2555.pdf

[FG Lurker]

"not a masturbation thread" you say? How about a brothel then?

"We always give our customers the most bang for the buck," he says. "You bring your $600 check in, and we give you the $1,200 George Bush party--three girls and a bottle of champagne."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/141848