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Expatriate Tax Returns

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Refund Myths

As you await your tax refund, we would like to debunk some common myths via information directly from the IRS.

  • Myth #1 Reaching out to the IRS will increase your refund speed. Utilize the Where’s My Refund? tool to check the status of your refund. An IRS representative cannot get your refund to you faster.
  • Myth #2 Visting Wheres My Refund many times a day will keep me updated.
  • The website updates once a day, and delays may occur.
  • Myth #3 Tax Professionals Can Speed Up Your Return

Although we would love to, our team has no impact on the speed at which your return is processed. We can guarantee accurate and fast filing of your returns but cannot handle speed once your return is submitted. Be diligent in researching tax information. A tax professional or the IRS website is your best bet for accurate information. As always, contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. 

Recovering from Identity Theft

Identity theft can be prevented in many ways, but if you are a victim, there are a few ways to recover your information and ease the financial burden. Once you discover that your identity has been stolen, contact your local law enforcement, freeze your credit, and place a fraud alert on all accounts. Once all necessary parties have been contacted, review your credit and debit charges for anything fraudulent and report them to your financial institutions. Work to handle your disputes as quickly as possible to recover any changes to your credit score. Next, change login information on all websites that contain your personal information. Protecting your data is essential, and identity theft is likely to occur through an internet security breach. Stay on top of your credit reports and banking information for the next few months after the theft occurs. You will want to contact the credit bureaus and banks to ensure all fraudulent charges have been removed and any new accounts will be rejected as fraud.

Filing an Extension

Tax Day 2022 is not a done deal! If you filed an extension by April 18, you have until October 17 to file your 2021 return. If you are an expat, you get an automatic extension until June 15, which means that it’s not too late to extend to October 17. Keep in mind that extensions only apply to filing, not paying! If you owe tax it was due by April 18…interest and penalties apply to all payments owed to the IRS after that date.

Gig Economy Income

The IRS recently sent a news release reminding taxpayers that all income must be reported, including such from the gig economy. The gig economy is where workers earn money from on-demand roles, services, or goods.
Gig economy jobs include grocery delivery, creative or professional services, or transportation.
Taxpayers may find that jobs in the gig economy provide more flexibility, allow for additional pay, and provide a better work-life balance. In the last few years, these types of roles have become more common, although the process of declaring the income may be confusing.
These jobs are often short-term and can be performed via an app or website. Employers from these roles will issue a  Form 1099-K or 1099-MISC. This income must be noted on your tax return. Provide all income to our tax professionals, and we will ensure that it is correctly recorded and submitted as required by the IRS.

Protect Your Information Online

The IRS urges everyone to dedicate time to securing and storing their personal information to avoid becoming a victim of cybersecurity scams. As Tax Day approaches, many of us are sending and storing information on our personal computers or other devices. 
We ensure that any information sent to Expatriate Tax Services is stored safely and securely. Before the data reaches us, it is imperative to review the safeguards you have in place.
Passwords: Be sure to use unique passwords across all your online profiles. Use special characters or numbers to make your password more complex.
Be Aware of Phishing Scams: Pay attention to the emails you receive. The IRS notes that it will never contact its customers via email. Review any email to ensure that the email address is attached to a real domain. Delete any potential scams immediately and do not respond.
Utilize Anti-Virus Software: Be sure your personal computer is equipped with an anti-virus program. These programs scan your device for potential threats and keep your personal information secure.
Expatriate Tax Services stays up to date with security measures and requirements provided by the IRS. You can trust us with your personal information. 

Tax Day 2022

Monday, April 18, is Tax Day 2022. Tax Day is the deadline to file your taxes or file for an extension. Don’t let this day approach without a plan to file. Expatriate Tax Services is here to assist you with your tax filing. No matter how complex your situation may be, we can complete taxes on your half with just a few forms and pieces of information. Visit our website to determine what documents we will need based on your needs. If you have a unique tax situation, give us a call, and we will help you choose the best process to move forward. Don’t delay your taxes any further. April 18 is fast approaching.