Certification by U.S. Person Residing Outside of the U.S. Link not working

Hello!
 Was wonderinf if anyone else is having this problem.

Is the Certification by U.S. Person Residing Outside of the U.S. link (found 3/4 the way down this page http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U-S-Taxpayers-Residing-Outside-the-United-States) not working for anyone else?  I get this page http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14653.pdf saying

Please wait...

If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document, your PDF
viewer may not be able to display this type of document.

You can upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Reader for Windows®, Mac, or Linux® by
visiting http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

For more assistance with Adobe Reader visit http://www.adobe.com/support/products/
acrreader.html.

Trying to do the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure, and I have to download and fill out this form.

Definitely have the most up to date versions of the software, and am using the most up to date version of Chrome.  Can't figure it out...but I NEED this dumb form.  Any ideas?

A

I have the same message from an Ipad, but do get through on a Windows laptop, with Internet Explorer. You're looking for Form 14653. Try this link:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14653.pdf

Amazing!  Thank you!  Should have known to try a different browser!  When in doubt, turn it off and then on...if that doesn't work, try a different browser!!



A

Oh dear...so on the form it says

You must provide specific facts on this form or on a signed attachment explaining your failure to report all income, pay all tax,
and submit all required information returns, including FBARs. Any submission that does not contain a narrative statement of facts will
be considered incomplete and will not qualify for the streamlined penalty relief.

The concise reason for me is "I didn't realise I had to file if I hadn't made any income within the USA for that year." 

I mean, how detailed does one need to be?  Is "not realising" enough of a reason for the IRS?  This is a pretty vague area.

Thanks!

A

If that's the honest reason, then that is all you can say.

If you're like most people, the only officially presented notification of your obligation to file is the fine print in your US passport which it seems a number of people miss. I'm sure it isn't the first time the IRS has heard this reason given.

Perhaps one of the professionals or someone who has already filed 14653 may offer further, more carefully worded advice; but if not, your wording is a very honest explanation.   

Thanks TheOAP!

One more question (promise!): how do us expats know the IRS has received our tax returns? I can't imagine they send everyone written confirmation...

There's the the Where’s My Refund? tool, but I'm not going to be owed a refund so I'm guessing this probably doesn't apply.

Best,
A

Yes, it would be nice to have acknowledgement that all your efforts in preparing and sending off yearly stacks of information had, at least, been received, but it doesn't happen. As you said, there is the tool for "where's the cash you owe me", and I believe there is a method to trick it into responding for $0 returns, but I don't know how to do it. After waiting for a period of time (months?) there is a number you may call to see if your submission has arrived and is being processed. Check the IRS site.

Good luck with the filing. My suggestion would be to send anything via "tracked" and "signed for" (FEDEX, etc.) so you know it has arrived. It may cost a bit, but it does away with the anxiety. And remember, for the IRS, no news is good news. If there is any problem with the submission, they'll contact you. And yes, I know, that's easier said than done.

Lack of knowledge should I think be OK providing it is combined with the lack of ability to know. I would only ever deliver streamlined filings using a courier as the IRS will not provide acknowledgement ... except for a tax bill and a penalty if a form or calculation are wrong.

I would photograph the package and the contents as well as evidence.

Good advice guys...thanks

A