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Expatriate Tax Returns

Expatriate Tax Returns

Digital Nomad Taxes: What You Need To Know

If you’re a digital nomad, you may be wondering if you need to pay taxes. The answer is – it depends. It’s important to understand the tax rules and regulations in the countries you work in and pay taxes accordingly.

Paying taxes as a digital nomad can be a bit more complicated than if you were a traditional employee because you may be working in multiple countries and earning income from various sources. However, it is possible to stay compliant with the tax rules and regulations.

In this article, we will explore the topic of digital nomad taxes and provide some helpful tips on how to stay compliant.

What are digital nomad taxes?

Digital nomad taxes are taxes that may be applicable to individuals who work online and move from place to place, as opposed to having a permanent physical office. These taxes can apply to income earned from freelancing, online work, blogging, and other activities. Depending on the country, digital nomads may be required to pay income tax, social security contributions, and other taxes.

What are the benefits of paying digital nomad taxes?

Paying taxes may seem like a burden, but there are actually many benefits to doing so. First and foremost, it ensures that you are compliant with the tax rules and regulations in the countries you work in. Additionally, paying taxes can help you build a good credit history, which can be helpful if you ever need to apply for a loan or mortgage. Finally, paying taxes can help you access certain government benefits, such as healthcare.

Who needs to pay digital nomad taxes?

The answer to this question depends on the country you are working in. In some countries, digital nomads may be required to pay taxes on their income even if they are only working in the country for a short period of time. In other countries, digital nomads may only be required to pay taxes if they earn a certain amount of money. In the United States US citizens must file a US tax return reporting their worldwide income. It’s important to research the tax rules in the countries you work in to determine if you need to pay taxes.

How to pay digital nomad taxes?

Paying digital nomad taxes can be a bit more complicated than paying traditional taxes because you may be working in multiple countries and earning income from various sources. Taking the following steps can help the process flow easily. First, you should keep track of all the money you earn from each work source. This includes income from freelancing, online work, blogging, and other activities. Second, you should research the tax rules in the countries you work in and determine how much you owe in taxes. Third, you should set aside money to pay your taxes. This can be done by setting up a separate bank account or by transferring money into a savings account each month. Finally, you will need to pay your taxes. You can do this by filing a tax return or by making a tax payment.

To wrap things up

Paying taxes as a digital nomad can be a bit more complicated than paying traditional taxes, but it is possible to stay compliant with the rules and regulations. By keeping track of your income, researching the tax rules in the countries you work in, and setting aside money to pay your taxes, you can ensure that you are compliant with the tax rules and regulations.

If you want to learn more about expatriate taxes or want to connect with a tax specialist, visit our contact page.

The 5 Most Common Reasons For FBAR Penalties

The Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Report (FBAR) is a form that is required to be filed by U.S. taxpayers who have foreign financial accounts. The FBAR is used to help the government detect and combat international money laundering and terrorist financing. If you fail to file the FBAR, you may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

The most common reasons for FBAR penalties are:

  1. Failing to file the FBAR
  2. Filing the FBAR late
  3. Omitting information on the FBAR
  4. Incorrectly reporting information on the FBAR
  5. Failing to sign the FBAR

If you are a U.S. taxpayer with a foreign financial account, it is important to make sure that you file the FBAR correctly and on time to avoid penalties.

Non-filing of the FBAR

One of the most common reasons for FBAR penalties is failing to file the FBAR. The FBAR is required to be filed by U.S. taxpayers who have foreign financial accounts. If you fail to file the FBAR, you may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Failure to properly file the FBAR

Another common reason for FBAR penalties is failure to properly file the FBAR. The FBAR must be filed electronically through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) website. You must include your name, address, and Social Security number on the FBAR. You must also include the names of all foreign financial institution in which you have an interest, as well as the account numbers for those accounts.

Signing the FBAR under penalties of perjury

When you sign the FBAR, you are declaring under penalties of perjury that the information you have provided is true and correct. If you knowingly and willfully provide false information on the FBAR, you may be subject to criminal penalties.

Filing a joint FBAR when only one spouse has foreign accounts

If you file a joint FBAR, both you and your spouse will be jointly and severally liable for any penalties that may be assessed. This means that if only one spouse has foreign accounts, both spouses may be subject to FBAR penalties.

The civil penalty for non-willful violations

The civil penalty for non-willful violations of the FBAR filing requirements is up to $10,000 per violation. A violation is defined as each year you fail to file the FBAR or each foreign financial account you fail to report on the FBAR.

If you want to learn more about how to file expatriate taxes, visit our contact page to connect with us.

Things to Know When Considering an Early Withdrawal from Retirement

Unexpected events happen to everyone. Unfortunately, some people must make necessary financial sacrifices to withstand such circumstances. One of the sacrifices people make is withdrawing from their retirement early. This quick-cash method can produce significant tax penalties if enacted. Consider the following information before pulling from your retirement early:

  • Flexibility Within 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) Plans

Taxpayers can withdraw from these plans only if an event of hardship occurs. A Hardship Distribution is when a taxpayer withdraws from their retirement savings earlier than their declared withdrawal date. The date is normally set to sometime after the taxpayer turns 70. Support needed for spouses or dependents is included in these policies.

The withdrawal is limited to the financial need of the taxpayer. Repayments for hardships are not permitted. The eligibility for early distribution should be accurately stated within the plan description. Withdrawals made before the set age or date are subject to an early withdrawal penalty.

  • Distribution Related to Divorce

If a taxpayer is experiencing a divorce, they may be eligible for early distribution. If a withdrawal from a traditional IRA is made early to supplement divorce requirements, the amount is subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Exceptions on this income tax can be made according to the case.

The options listed in this article are not exhaustive for taxpayers. The IRS provides many helpful alternatives for hardships. If you want to learn more about what to do when considering withdrawing early from retirement, contact us by visiting www.expatriatetaxreturns.com. We are excited to give you the help you need.

Lookout for 1099-Ks if You Received Over $600

Be mindful of your taxes! The IRS sent out another reminder and notice for independent workers. Expatriate Tax Returns has the information you need for filing your taxes.

Taxpayers who sold goods or provided services that received over $600 from digital transactions will receive a Form 1099-K. This is a significant change in amount compared to previous reporting threshold requirements and is required to be reported on your tax return.

Taxpayers must make estimated tax payments if the following applies:

  • Generally, if a taxpayer earns income throughout the year
  • If the withheld income tax from one’s salary or pension is not sufficient
  • If other forms of income such as dividends, interest, alimony, capital gains, awards, and/or income from self-employment are received
  • If the taxpayer is in business for themselves

Taxable income qualifications remain the same. Taxpayers who earn income from jobs (full-time and part-time) and sales are still required to file for those amounts. Money from relatives, friends or other personal expenses is not usually taxable.

If you have more questions about tax filing your taxes visit www.expatriatetaxreturns.com.

The IRS Warns Taxpayers About Increasing Texting Scams

Text messages themed like IRS announcements are on the rise according to the Internal Revenue Service. Thousands of scammers have already attacked taxpayers in 2022 through MMS and SMS text messages. Scamming through text messages is known as Smishing. Many smishing campaigns are often masked as Covid relief announcements, help establishing an IRS account, or tax credits. Expatriate Tax Returns has the best advice for you to protect yourself against phishing.

While observing October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it is crucial to be cautious about scams. Smishing technology is now industry standard and can put thousands of people at risk. The messages often ask people to click a link in which phishing websites collect personal information. Taxpayers should never feed these databases with their personal information, especially since the IRS would never contact taxpayers through text message. Mark these messages as scam if your phone has flagging features.

The IRS noticed the increase in phishing in the fall of 2020. The best action to take when dealing with phishing is reporting it to phishing@irs.gov. In order to submit an effective report where the IRS can take action, provide the phone number, email address, along with the date and time the phisher reached out. In addition to reporting to the IRS, report to the Internet Crime Complaint Assistant (www.ic3.gov) and Expatriate Tax Returns (www.expatriatetaxreturns.com).

If you have more questions on what to look for during this time of increasing smishing, visit www.expatriatetaxreturns.com to connect with expert tax specialists.

Identity Theft Prevention for Taxpayers

Identity theft is a common occurrence that everyone is vulnerable to. It is crucial to prevent vulnerability when filing taxes since this process includes confidential information such as social security numbers, addresses, income, and other factors. Expatriate Tax Returns has the advice you need to stay protected. Click below in order to learn more about how to keep your information safe!

Ways to stay protected from identity theft while filing taxes include but are not limited to:

Using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and secure browser connections

Always use a secure network when processing banking or tax information. Ensure the connection is private by checking for a lock icon next to the URL of the website.

Safely Using Emails

Watch out for unexpected attachments. Refrain from opening emails with links or attachments that you did not expect to receive. Scammers could use these files as bate for phishing. In addition, keep personal and business email account information separate.

Use Devices Cautiously

We encourage keeping information separate between personal and business computers or other devices.  If a suspicious program is accidentally installed on a personal computer and compromises it, business information stored on that computer will still be safe.

Safely Download and Transfer Files

Phishers commonly use computer programs to steal sensitive information. Avoid downloading files from unknown or suspicious websites. In addition, cautiously transfer files between personal and business computers on a USB drive.

Password Management

It is crucial to managing your passwords discretely and securely. This includes using strong passwords, changing passwords frequently, storing passwords in a safe program, and not sharing passwords.

If you need more advice on avoiding identity theft or have any other questions about tax filing, visit www.expatriatetaxreturns.com to connect with our staff of experts.