first time filing US taxes from UK, questions??

OK, since 2011 was the first year I've lived in the UK, this will be my first time filing from the UK, since when I filed last year I just filed the 1040EZ as though I was still living there, since I spent all of 2010 still in the USA. I didn't start working in the UK until Aug. 2011 as I'd been waiting for my FLR(M) until the springtime, so I only worked for the last 5 months of the year, which means I only made less than £5000 in 2011, which worked out to just over $7000. Is this a low enough income that would mean that I don't really have to file US taxes, or do I still have to file anyways? Also, what form do I need to file, and how do I go about obtaining a form? And what sort of proof of income do I need to send along with my form, since obviously I won't be getting a W2 form from my employer? All I have are my wage slips, would I have to send literally all of them (I'm paid weekly)?

You don't need to file if your income was less than 9,500 US dollars, but if you ever want to move back with your spouse then you need to have filed for the past three years (or five, I am not quite sure about that one).   Unless you are self-employed.

The forms are online and you don't need to send any proof of income which I think is kind of crazy but there you go.

You will probably fill out the 1040 and the 2555.  There might be others depending on your situation.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf

Cheers Bookgirl!

 

I am not sure about not sending proof of other things though and I can't find where it says you don't need to send proof of income.

Also, keep in mind that if you have a bank account, or are a co-signer on a bank account that has more than 10,000 at any point in it, even for a minute, throughout the year you need to declare it on the F-Bar. 

There might be other forms you need also, for all I know you own like 30 farms in the US and need to claim your corn subsidy or something.
Taxes=fun.   

OK, since 2011 was the first year I've lived in the UK, this will be my first time filing from the UK, since when I filed last year I just filed the 1040EZ as though I was still living there, since I spent all of 2010 still in the USA. I didn't start working in the UK until Aug. 2011 as I'd been waiting for my FLR(M) until the springtime, so I only worked for the last 5 months of the year, which means I only made less than £5000 in 2011, which worked out to just over $7000. Is this a low enough income that would mean that I don't really have to file US taxes, or do I still have to file anyways? Also, what form do I need to file, and how do I go about obtaining a form? And what sort of proof of income do I need to send along with my form, since obviously I won't be getting a W2 form from my employer? All I have are my wage slips, would I have to send literally all of them (I'm paid weekly)?

Hello Fireheart223,
Other members of the form have given you good advice. The only other issue you need to consider is whether you still have a state filing requirement. You should not attach your wage slips. If you designate the earnings as foreign earned compensation and provide the employer's tax identification number and country, that should be sufficient. You can use form 4852 to convey this information to the government. I hope this helps.

I am not sure about not sending proof of other things though and I can't find where it says you don't need to send proof of income.

Also, keep in mind that if you have a bank account, or are a co-signer on a bank account that has more than 10,000 at any point in it, even for a minute, throughout the year you need to declare it on the F-Bar. 

There might be other forms you need also, for all I know you own like 30 farms in the US and need to claim your corn subsidy or something.
Taxes=fun.   

That's good to know. It doesn't apply to me now, as I don't have 10,000 tucked away in a bank account (I wish! ) and don't own any farms either LOL, but it's good to remember for the future in case there's anything I need to be declaring and wouldn't have known or remembered to.

Oh yeah, state taxes.  I forgot about that one.  I am lucky as I don't fit the requirements to file for my state. 

It all depends on your state (some do, some don't, some it depends) and whether you meet the requirements.