Confused and need help for 2012 US taxes....

I am thoroughly confused by US/UK taxes and need help, I am sorry 

I need to know how to file my taxes for 2012.....

I am a USC still living in the US, UK husband is in the UK, never having lived or worked in the US.

We do have a joint bank account together here in the US that has never had more than a couple thousand dollars in the checking account... (we thought it would be easier for him to transfer $$$ over here before a visit or for whatever reason, but he has never transferred $$$ or used the account and when he next visits we are going to take his name off the account)

I also have a son, nothing to do with UK husband ...

And I will be completing the FAFSA application for my college bound son after my 2012 taxes have been submitted, so I am really hoping that I don't have to declare UK husband's income along with mine on my 2012 taxes.

So can I file married filing seperately, head of household (because I claim my son) and then I would just have to put husbands name on taxes and it would just be my income  or no?

Hi Stephanie. 

You could potentially claim your son as a dependent and file Head of household but it sounds like you need some help with your taxes! 

http://www.taxadvisorypartnership.com/us-tax-services/us-tax-compliance/ [nofollow]

Cheers.

Ok, did some more reading, but still unsure, so as I understand it, I can file MFS as head of household and enter NRA for my UK spouse so I don't have to declare any of his income/financial info? Am I on the right track or no? 

And thank you US TAP, might need a professional next year when I am in the UK

If you file MFS you only need to include your income on the return.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

And thank you US TAP, might need a professional next year when I am in the UK

Once you figure out what you need to submit, I don't think people usually need professional tax help.   

I'm in the same situation and I think I'll file the 1040 as MFS, 2555-EZ for foreign income exclusion and an FBAR if I ever have my name on foreign accounts totaling over $10,000 (even for a day).

Once you've figured that out, it seems pretty straightforward (next year will be my first year with anything besides a 1040 as I've been here since July 2012 but didn't work in the UK in 2012).

If you've got a complicated situation or self-employment, maybe you'd need professional help, but I don't think you do...... 

Thanks US TAP!

and Thanks TFrog, you make it sound so easy!

So its MFS and NRA and the UK husband's income is not on the return at all, this is very good, especially for the FAFSA, I have been on the phone back and forth with the college financial aid office trying to figure out how to do it with a foreign spouse and his income and also because I retired as a police officer this year and have half of 2012 at full salary and and half at a pension, so I am sure I will be asking questions next year on taxes for the UK/US with a US pension etc..... 

Thanks TFrog, you make it sound so easy!

Granted, I haven't done taxes in the UK yet, but I'm trying to get a grip on it now.  It seems like once you figure out the right forms, it's easier in subsequent years.    Unless your situation changes (or the IRS changes their policy), it should be the same forms each year. 

It seems like the same thing as the visas.... they're daunting at first, but once you figure out what you need to do, it's just ticking the right boxes and following directions.    With the help of people here on UK Yankee, it seems easier than it first appears. 

Granted, I haven't done taxes in the UK yet, but I'm trying to get a grip on it now.  It seems like once you figure out the right forms, it's easier in subsequent years.    Unless your situation changes (or the IRS changes their policy), it should be the same forms each year. 

It seems like the same thing as the visas.... they're daunting at first, but once you figure out what you need to do, it's just ticking the right boxes and following directions.    With the help of people here on UK Yankee, it seems easier than it first appears. 

Very true indeed! It is daunting because its the unknown, so thank goodness for the people here, like you  who have been through it all and are nice enough to help people like me who are looking at all this, going, huh?

Very true indeed! It is daunting because its the unknown, so thank goodness for the people here, like you  who have been through it all and are nice enough to help people like me who are looking at all this, going, huh?

Well, I was going  until I started following threads on here and seeing what other people were saying.... looking up forms online and seeing what applied to me. 

I could be wrong, but I think I've got some of that right. 

Yes, I have been reading a lot too on here, so much good info, but when it came to my taxes I kind of gave up, I was trying to understand it, but just had to ask to make sure I am doing it the right way   

. . .So its MFS and NRA and the UK husband's income is not on the return at all, this is very good, especially for the FAFSA, I have been on the phone back and forth with the college financial aid office trying to figure out how to do it with a foreign spouse and his income and also because I retired as a police officer this year and have half of 2012 at full salary and and half at a pension, so I am sure I will be asking questions next year on taxes for the UK/US with a US pension etc.....  

Hi Stephanie,

First of all, I commend you for trying to help out your son with his college financial aid application(s). Unfortunately, if the parent(s) show assets (or income) that imply they have the money to pay for college, then it's generally presumed that they can and they should. But, the presumption is flawed. It's a real mixed bag of tricks and each individual's circumstance needs careful consideration, which in my own experience, I believe they fail to do.  

So when my kid was "hitting up against a block wall" and not meeting the financial qualifications (to no fault of her own), she got creative and filed a Declaration of Emancipation.

If your son is not going to be living with you and if he effectively then is going to be responsible for himself, this might be something you can consider. I don't know if there's any special criteria that has to be met.  My daughter was already living on her own and just mailed the declaration to me.  I had to sign it and get it notarized and mail it back to her.  She filed it and after that, was able to get a whole pile of financial aid that she wouldn't have been able to otherwise. Once emancipated, the parent's assets and income are no longer considered.  Your child is looked upon as an adult in their own right.

You must agree in the Declaration that you surrender the right to care and custody of the "child" and that you won't try to claim him on your future tax returns.  Well, that wasn't a problem for me as we were already living apart and I wasn't claiming her anyway.  So there's an idea thrown out for ya if it will help with the financial aid thing.

Additionally, you shouldn't have to wait for your UK husband to visit in order to take his name off your bank account.  If the account is in Joint Tenancy, eg.. Your Name or His Name, you should be able to close it no problem, then take the funds and re-open a new account in your name.  Just make sure if it's a checking account that there are no outstanding debits or checks when you close the account.