US Taxes

Hello,

Just wondered in case I am eligible for a tax return in 2016, do I have to have a US bank account? or will I be able to use my UK bank account

Damn......I hadn't even thought of that. I don't know the answer though.....although it would make sense to be able to pay/receive things from your UK account since I would imagine there are plenty of people without a US bank.

Worst case scenario is to pay with a UK credit card, and take the Fx hit and the 'foreign transaction fee' hit.

But having said that, in most cases, no US tax will be due as tax credits will offset any US liability.

 IRS "Helpful Tips" seems to boil down to "have a US account" or  "a check will be mailed to you."

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Helpful-Tips-for-Effectively-Receiving-a-Tax-Refund-for-Taxpayers-Living-Abroad

I was afraid of that answer since I doubt it will be very easy to cash a check from the US over here. I wonder if the US bank account has to be in my name? or if I can use my sister's and just have her transfer the money to me.

Your UK bank should be able to help, should the need arise.

I was afraid of that answer since I doubt it will be very easy to cash a check from the US over here. I wonder if the US bank account has to be in my name? or if I can use my sister's and just have her transfer the money to me.

That might work but at worst you can mail the check to your sister for her to deposit in her account. Back in the 80's and early 90's my UK bank, HSBC (Midland as it was then) would take a US check and convert it to £ for deposit but with a foreign transaction fee.

When we moved back this Spring we had several US cheques that came afterwards that we needed to deposit. We had no trouble with a couple of them but Lloyds wouldn't take one of them since it was missing something.....can't remember what. It was fairly simple....but danged if either of us can remember what it was.

Our UK bank will take a US cheque, but it takes quite a while for the money to transfer over.