Do I need to File?

I did not work at all in the USA in 2004.  I moved to the UK in February of 2004, got married in July and started working in the UK this month.  Do I need to file a US tax return?

Thank you for your help. I'm useless at this stuff.   

I don't think you have to file unless you make more than X dollars a year, but it never hurts to do so.  They won't tax your UK income until you make over 65K (I think...maybe less now) so you don't have to worry about that.  Check out irs.gov for the particulars...

As a US Citizen, you are taxed on your world wide income regardless of where you work. THerefore if your income (US or UK) is more than the combinations of your standard deduction (depends on your filing status) and personal allowance, then you will need to file a return.

Helen

Thank you for the info! 

I have been in the UK for 3 years haven't had to file a USA tax return but then I need to file an affidavid of support to get my husband into the USA.  Can I use my UK P40's for the affidavid of support?

Michelle

Do you mean P60?

Not to repeat myself - but I will.

You need to file US tax returns for the years you haven't filed.  You cannot submit the application to the Embassy to move to the US w/your UK husband without tax returns.

Yes I mean a P60 and before I meant a P45.  I am in the process of filing my tax returns so I can send in the affidavit of support for my husband's immigrant visa. 

When filing the tax returns do I use the information on these forms to specifically report my non-taxable income in the UK? 

Any advice on where to get help in the UK on completing my back taxes other than the IRS office at the embassy?

Many Thanks, Michelle

The affidavit of support requires that you include your tax returns for the past three years.

Seeing that you have P60s and P45s, I assume that you had income to report, and therefore need to file a tax return.  P60s and P45s are not a substitute for a tax return.

However, there are income limits for filing and if your income is below the income limit for your filing status, you are not required to file a tax return.

Do you think that your income is below the limits, which is why you are saying it's non-taxable?

The IRS at the Embassy has tables showing theseincome  limits.  I would recommend that you contact them directly and get a copy of the tables.   The IRS also has a form letter that explains this, which you can obtain.

If you are below the limits and are therefore not required to file, the Affidavit of Support requires that you write a letter explaining why.

I was the US sponsor for my Brit husband when we did the DCF filing.  I'm also a full-time housewife and had no income to report and therefore, I did not file taxes.  For our interview, I had the form letter from the IRS (explaining income limits) , the tax tables and the explanation letter from myself.  This was sufficient. 

But, I am NOT a tax expert; just somebody who recently repatriated and the above is based on my personal circumstances.  I strongly urge that you contact the IRS and determine your own filing status.

I hope that this makes sense.  Best of luck.

Thanks alot, I ended up going to HR Block and they sorted out everything for me.

Cheers for your help.