Hello
Guest

Sponsored Links


Topic: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?  (Read 2415 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

  • *
  • Posts: 163

  • Liked: 30
  • Joined: Aug 2017
Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« on: June 07, 2019, 07:48:30 PM »
Hi, I have been living in the UK since 2017 and need to file my US taxes this year. I have tried filing with H&R block and cannot get past the EIN section where my UK employer doesn't have an EIN. I tried Turbotax but the non resident alien form is not included in the free option. Can I fill in my taxes online directly with the US government? Or is there another service that will let me file for free despite having only foreign earned income?
Met: Aug 2013
Started Dating: Oct 2013
Engaged: Sept 2017
Online app submitted: 17 Oct 2017
Biometrics & mailed in: 20 Oct 2017
Received by Sheffield: 23 Oct 2017
Decision email:


  • *
  • Posts: 163

  • Liked: 30
  • Joined: Aug 2017
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2019, 07:49:39 PM »
I also have more than $10,000 USD in a US bank account and $10,000+ in UK bank accounts which I will need to disclose.
Met: Aug 2013
Started Dating: Oct 2013
Engaged: Sept 2017
Online app submitted: 17 Oct 2017
Biometrics & mailed in: 20 Oct 2017
Received by Sheffield: 23 Oct 2017
Decision email:


  • *
  • Posts: 1260

  • Liked: 63
  • Joined: Jun 2011
  • Location: Congleton, Cheshire
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2019, 07:53:49 PM »
I use Free Fillable Forms. https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd

Of curiosity, why do you think you need to disclose a US bank account? The FBAR is only for foreign accounts.
Married December 1992 (my 'old flame' whom I first met in the mid-70s)
1st move to UK - 1993 (Letter of Consent granted at British Embassy in Washington DC)
ILR - 1994 (1 year later - no fee way back then!)
Back to US in 2000
Returned to UK July 2011 (Spousal Visa/KOL endorsement)
ILR - September 2011
Application for naturalization submitted July 2014
Approval received 15-10-14; ceremony scheduled for 10 November!
Passport arrived 25 November 2014. Finally done!


  • *
  • Posts: 163

  • Liked: 30
  • Joined: Aug 2017
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2019, 09:36:38 PM »
I use Free Fillable Forms. https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd

Of curiosity, why do you think you need to disclose a US bank account? The FBAR is only for foreign accounts.

Thanks so much, that website is much easier than some of the others I've been trying to use. So far, I've completed the 1040, Schedule 1, Schedule 6 and the 2555EZ forms.
I originally mentioned the US and UK accounts because I wasn't sure if the US account was relevant. I've since looked back at my bank accounts and realised I didn't have over 10k USD in any UK accounts at any point during 2018 (my husband had most of the money in his own accounts which I didn't have signature access to). This means I don't need to fill out the 8938 or FBAR documents, correct?

Also, I've been filling in the documentation with the information that I had earned $13000 USD in 2018. How accurate does this number need to be? I estimated that I had been working for 1/3rd of the year (starting my job in September)  and took 1/3rd of my salary then converted to USD using the exchange rate for Dec 31st 2018. I actually started work a few weeks into September, so my estimate will be slightly over. Considering the variable exchange rate could cause the discrepancy, is it fine that the amount may be 1-2000USD off?
Met: Aug 2013
Started Dating: Oct 2013
Engaged: Sept 2017
Online app submitted: 17 Oct 2017
Biometrics & mailed in: 20 Oct 2017
Received by Sheffield: 23 Oct 2017
Decision email:


  • *
  • Posts: 17769

  • Liked: 6118
  • Joined: Sep 2010
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2019, 10:09:41 PM »
I've since looked back at my bank accounts and realised I didn't have over 10k USD in any UK accounts at any point during 2018 (my husband had most of the money in his own accounts which I didn't have signature access to). This means I don't need to fill out the 8938 or FBAR documents, correct?

To calculate if you are required to file Fbar, take the highest balance of each foreign account at any time in the year and add them together. If the total is $10,000 or over then you need to file.


  • *
  • Posts: 163

  • Liked: 30
  • Joined: Aug 2017
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2019, 10:44:32 PM »
To calculate if you are required to file Fbar, take the highest balance of each foreign account at any time in the year and add them together. If the total is $10,000 or over then you need to file.

I have one shared account and one personal account and the combined value didn't reach anywhere near 10k USD in 2018. When I moved to the UK in December 2017 I transferred 10k USD to my husbands account but I didn't (and still don't) have access to that account, so it doesn't count towards the 10k threshold, correct?
Met: Aug 2013
Started Dating: Oct 2013
Engaged: Sept 2017
Online app submitted: 17 Oct 2017
Biometrics & mailed in: 20 Oct 2017
Received by Sheffield: 23 Oct 2017
Decision email:


  • *
  • Posts: 4477

  • Liked: 976
  • Joined: Apr 2016
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2019, 10:55:59 PM »
Thanks so much, that website is much easier than some of the others I've been trying to use. So far, I've completed the 1040, Schedule 1, Schedule 6 and the 2555EZ forms.
I originally mentioned the US and UK accounts because I wasn't sure if the US account was relevant. I've since looked back at my bank accounts and realised I didn't have over 10k USD in any UK accounts at any point during 2018 (my husband had most of the money in his own accounts which I didn't have signature access to). This means I don't need to fill out the 8938 or FBAR documents, correct?

Also, I've been filling in the documentation with the information that I had earned $13000 USD in 2018. How accurate does this number need to be? I estimated that I had been working for 1/3rd of the year (starting my job in September)  and took 1/3rd of my salary then converted to USD using the exchange rate for Dec 31st 2018. I actually started work a few weeks into September, so my estimate will be slightly over. Considering the variable exchange rate could cause the discrepancy, is it fine that the amount may be 1-2000USD off?
Do you have your pay stubs? I would use them (up to the last pay received in 2018) and the IRS conversion rate for determining income in USD if you can. (assuming I read your question correctly, sorry if I didn't!)

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk



  • *
  • Posts: 4208

  • Liked: 777
  • Joined: Nov 2012
  • Location: Eee, bah gum.
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2019, 10:15:08 AM »
I have one shared account and one personal account and the combined value didn't reach anywhere near 10k USD in 2018. When I moved to the UK in December 2017 I transferred 10k USD to my husbands account but I didn't (and still don't) have access to that account, so it doesn't count towards the 10k threshold, correct?

Correct.
Dual USC/UKC living in the UK since May 2016


  • *
  • Posts: 56

  • Liked: 19
  • Joined: Jan 2018
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2019, 11:18:31 AM »
I use Free Fillable Forms. https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd

I tried the above, but it seems I need a US phone number to register.

I'm having trouble with taxes, too. Been in the UK since Feb 2018, but am self-employed. All my income has come from US sources so far. Seems like I will have to pay SE tax, even though I have NIN and UTR here.

Is this correct?


  • *
  • Posts: 4208

  • Liked: 777
  • Joined: Nov 2012
  • Location: Eee, bah gum.
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2019, 12:27:42 PM »
I use Free Fillable Forms. https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd

I tried the above, but it seems I need a US phone number to register.

I'm having trouble with taxes, too. Been in the UK since Feb 2018, but am self-employed. All my income has come from US sources so far. Seems like I will have to pay SE tax, even though I have NIN and UTR here.

Is this correct?

There are ways to have a cheap US phone number. I pay about $50/year to maintain a US number through Skype.

I am not Self Employed but do have income from the USA via pensions and investments. If you are either SE or have foreign income you will, I think, need to do an HMRC Self Assessment tax return each year. Is that what you are asking?


Dual USC/UKC living in the UK since May 2016


  • *
  • Posts: 56

  • Liked: 19
  • Joined: Jan 2018
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2019, 12:32:03 PM »


There are ways to have a cheap US phone number. I pay about $50/year to maintain a US number through Skype.

Thanks! I'll check into this.

I am not Self Employed but do have income from the USA via pensions and investments. If you are either SE or have foreign income you will, I think, need to do an HMRC Self Assessment tax return each year. Is that what you are asking?

No, I did my UK taxes. It's the US ones that are causing me trouble. Not sure why I owe social security if I pay NI here. The tax software says I do unless I can come up with enough business deductions.


  • *
  • Posts: 4208

  • Liked: 777
  • Joined: Nov 2012
  • Location: Eee, bah gum.
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2019, 12:44:20 PM »

There are ways to have a cheap US phone number. I pay about $50/year to maintain a US number through Skype.

Thanks! I'll check into this.

I am not Self Employed but do have income from the USA via pensions and investments. If you are either SE or have foreign income you will, I think, need to do an HMRC Self Assessment tax return each year. Is that what you are asking?

No, I did my UK taxes. It's the US ones that are causing me trouble. Not sure why I owe social security if I pay NI here. The tax software says I do unless I can come up with enough business deductions.

Gotcha.

I'm afraid I can't help you there, no experience with SE income. Sorry.

ETA
There is nothing legally stopping you from paying both SS and NI and receiving 2 pensions.  My wife and I did this for about 15 years to maintain our UK OAP as well as US SS.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2019, 12:46:51 PM by durhamlad »
Dual USC/UKC living in the UK since May 2016


  • *
  • Posts: 56

  • Liked: 19
  • Joined: Jan 2018
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2019, 12:46:03 PM »
Gotcha.

I'm afraid I can't help you there, no experience with SE income. Sorry.

No worries. Thanks for giving it a shot! I do my US taxes every year, so I'll crack this nut eventually. :)


  • *
  • Posts: 4208

  • Liked: 777
  • Joined: Nov 2012
  • Location: Eee, bah gum.
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #13 on: June 14, 2019, 12:47:39 PM »
No worries. Thanks for giving it a shot! I do my US taxes every year, so I'll crack this nut eventually. :)

BTW,
There is nothing legally stopping you from paying both SS and NI and receiving 2 pensions.  My wife and I did this for about 15 years to maintain our UK OAP as well as US SS.
Dual USC/UKC living in the UK since May 2016


  • *
  • Posts: 1289

  • Liked: 111
  • Joined: Jan 2010
Re: Can I file US taxes for free online from the UK?
« Reply #14 on: June 14, 2019, 02:11:16 PM »
No, I did my UK taxes. It's the US ones that are causing me trouble. Not sure why I owe social security if I pay NI here. The tax software says I do unless I can come up with enough business deductions.
You don't have to pay US Social Security.

See the US/UK Totalisation Agreement, pages 3 and 4 (Self-employed and reside in the UK).
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10199.pdf

"Certificates for self-employed people
If you are self-employed and would normally
have to pay Social Security taxes to both the
U.S. and the U.K. systems, you can establish
your exemption from one of the taxes.

If you reside in the United Kingdom, write
to Inland Revenue at the address on
page 10."


I believe under UK regulations you do have to pay NICs in the UK, depending on amount of income.
https://www.gov.uk/self-employed-national-insurance-rates


I have no experience with tax software, so have no idea how this is established within the software.


Sponsored Links





 

coloured_drab