retar

This is highly likely a stupid question, but if I'm being asked on my taxes if I'm a US Citizen (which I am, as of last month). Do I put yes, even though for last years taxes, I wasn't a US Citizen for any of that tax year?

Also, yay for leaving taxes to practically the last minute.

Cook_County

The only US tax form that asks this I know of is Form 2555. The question is not new though. Which IRS form are you thinking of?

retar

I'm not sure what form. They asked me at H&R Block if I was a US citizen on their forms, I said yes because I am, but realized later for the 2018 tax year I wasn't at any point.

I mean that wasn't the question, but it still made me think if it makes any difference...

Hotscot

'They asked me at H&R Block if I was a US citizen on their forms'

What forms exactly?
A little troubling that they ask this seeing as generally it's none of their business.

retar

I don't know the exact form unfortunately. It was on their computerized forms. Basically you sitting there while they ask you questions and then enter it in.

Pulaski

In almost all cases (I can't think of any exceptions), when filling in official/ government forms of any and all types, including tax paper work, the correct approach is to answer the question as written, take it at face value, do not try to adjust or interpret it to fit your circumstances.

In your specific case if they had wanted to know if you were a USC during the year for which the return is being filed, then you have to assume that they would have asked that question, not the one that they did ask!

scrubbedexpat091

Looking at their website when you do taxes the question is: Were you a U.S. citizen in 2018?

So I would think based on the question as its being asked, if you were naturalized in 2019, you would answer no to this question.

Pulaski

I agree, if that is the question being asked.

Hotscot

Is it too much to ask if you were a tax resident?

lansbury

Normally I would agree with you, but not when it comes to taxes. There are instances in the tax treaty where being a citizen, or not, effects where you are taxed for example. So for taxes I would take the question to be referring to the tax year being reported.

retar

Well, I haven't filed or signed anything yet. I have to go back to H&R Block later this week to review the paperwork and confirm it's correct. I'll double check this question with them then, because now I'm doubting if they asked if I am a US citizen vs if I was a US citizen.... .... I've never been asked this on taxes before either btw. First time using these guys.

Giantaxe

Yes, because many won't know and/or understand the term "tax resident".

Pulaski

Well it now turns out (post #7 above) that apparently the question was misquoted, and should have aligned with your interpretation.

retar

Where does it say that on the IRS site?

scrubbedexpat091

It wasn't on the IRS website, it was the question asked on the H&R website when I was doing my US tax return.