USA return 2018 after leaving in August

[richbodecott]

Hi Everyone,

Some of the quotes i have had to have a professional do this are huge so i am going to attempt myself for the 2018 year, below is a summary of my situation its not overly complicated, and a few questions. I'd appreciate some tips if you think i have missed anything otherwise i will file with turbo tax as below.

- Need to file USA taxes for 2018, i moved home to UK from USA in August 2018 and have since been earning pounds, prior to that i was in USA for 9 years, green card since 2015. I believe given i had the green card for less than 8 years i don't need to file the expatriation form is this accurate?

- accountant told me i could file just a USA tax return and exclude my UK income for 2018 using form 2555-EZ - he said this is available in Turbo Tax. Do i file as a resident or non-resident given i left the country in August (I also filed I-407 to relinquish my green card in October 2018)?

-Sold my house in July before i left - i believe no tax is owed on this as it would be below the threshold for capital gains - is this accurate?

-Last few years i have always filed a 8938 and the FBAR for my foreign (UK) bank accounts as i was over the threshold. Do i need to do this for 2018 given i left, technically the accounts are not foreign now i live back in UK?

-I think i only need to do the HMRC self assessment next year because i have only earned pounds from August - is this accurate?

Also - if anyone has a good recommendation for someone to do this for me and is reasonably priced i would go that route probably

Thank-you

[darthblingbling]

David Trietel will no doubt pop in, but as far as I am aware you will need to file a dual status alien return, effectively two returns; one for the resident part of the year and the other for the non resident part.

This is from - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/residency-starting-and-ending-dates

Your last day of presence in the United States on which you are considered to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States is the residency ending date under the immigration laws of the United States.

However, you are still considered to be a resident alien of the United States for U.S. income tax purposes, until you: (1) voluntarily turn in your green card to USCIS and renounce your U.S. immigrant status; (2) have your immigrant status administratively revoked by USCIS; or (3) have your immigrant status judicially revoked by a United States federal court.

[richbodecott]

David Trietel will no doubt pop in, but as far as I am aware you will need to file a dual status alien return, effectively two returns; one for the resident part of the year and the other for the non resident part.

This is from - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/residency-starting-and-ending-dates

Your last day of presence in the United States on which you are considered to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States is the residency ending date under the immigration laws of the United States.

However, you are still considered to be a resident alien of the United States for U.S. income tax purposes, until you: (1) voluntarily turn in your green card to USCIS and renounce your U.S. immigrant status; (2) have your immigrant status administratively revoked by USCIS; or (3) have your immigrant status judicially revoked by a United States federal court.

Thanks for the info - i have tried "taxesforexpats" i have been through their initial information questionnaire its driving me crazy most questions are ambiguous (i'm sure deliberately) and they want a fee to call someone! I'm about ready to cancel the whole thing - for example the 8938 they only cover 5 accounts (saw in small print) - i have 9 - im lost - should i just get my wallet out and pay a proper professional?

[AnthonyR]

The US tax system is horribly inaccessible for most of us UK tax advisors. I have a cost effective specialist I use who's dual qualified. PM me if you're interested in an introduction.

Equally there's a couple of suitably qualified advisors here (David T being one of them) if you want to seek them out.

[DavidTreitel]

Anthony - many thanks for the kind mention. Myself and my colleagues at our firm are indeed dually US/UK qualified although in practice most of what we do is US tax focused. Happy to help if I can. The easiest way to arrange to do that is to either email me at david.treitel@americantaxreturns.co.uk or call my office on 020 3542 6330 and we can book a convenient time in both of our calendars. David Treitel

[richbodecott]

Anthony - many thanks for the kind mention. Myself and my colleagues at our firm are indeed dually US/UK qualified although in practice most of what we do is US tax focused. Happy to help if I can. The easiest way to arrange to do that is to either email me at david.treitel@americantaxreturns.co.uk or call my office on 020 3542 6330 and we can book a convenient time in both of our calendars. David Treitel

Thanks Anthony and David, David i sent you an email - Richard