tax filing - advice requested
 

Hi everyone,

I'm back in the UK after spending just under a year in Houston. Had a great time from Sept 2012 through until July 2013, and not enjoying the UK weather too much since coming back. All the advice before and during our time there was incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, I have one more dilemma..

My companies accountants were due to do my personal tax return for 2012 and I registered with them and signed an agreement that they would represent me, gave them a bunch of personal financial info, after which they pretty much decided they would file for an extension, thus extending the deadline to the 15th of October. This date is now rapidly approaching; but I've found it impossible to get hold of anyone there who will take an interest in it. The secretary just passes me to voicemail; nobody returns calls or emails; and I'm getting to the point whether I should just consider filing my return myself.

My personal financial situation (in terms of other earnings - I have none) is relatively straightforward; I have my W2 and as far as I'm aware my US taxes are all fully paid. The only tricky thing are the allowances I was given (housing, car) while on secondment and how these affect tax.

Basically, am I wise to just have a go at filing this myself over the next ten days or so? Should I seek out someone else to help (but haven't I left it a bit late!?)? Should I speak to the IRS and explain, or is that pointless? I am not really concerned about the tax I may be due back - but I am frightfully concerned about the implications of not filing and/or filing incorrectly.

Any advice gratefully received. Except to keep nagging our companies accountants further.. I'll keep trying that anyway.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

If it were me I would abandon the company accountant and find an alternative.
You could try H&R Block, or Jackson Hewitt - where you can do everything online. It's not too hard to get an accountant who will do them for you, though I bet they get busy around this time of year. I haven't had a CPA do mine for a while, but it was around $400 last time I did. I'm sure some other forum members could recommend someone for you.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

H&R Block? :lol:

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

:eek:

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Hey,

I filed the 1040NR-EZ the first two years I was resident in the US. I used CINTAX (now Glacier prep)
http://www.arcticintl.com/gtp_usage.asp

Do not use H+R block or a normal service. In my experience they are not familiar with foreign nationals. Although this is based on my personal experience.


Alternatively try doing the 1040-EZ yourself and take the standard deduction. If you have paid withholdings you may be due a refund.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

He has a more complicated tax filing in that he is "Dual Status" for both years.

H&R Block.:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Sure the OP would welcome alternative suggestions.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Anyone that's an accountant would be better than that paper mill.

They just tick boxes on a screen that you could do yourself...it's only if you ask to speak to someone senior that you might actually see an accountant.

They'll do the job on a simple tax filing, which you could probably do yourself in that situation, but I wouldn't trust them for anything complex like this.

Peter Newton, who is a BE member, gets recommended a lot and last I read, he was taking new clients. He's based in NY, but that shouldn't matter. I'm sure the OP could search out his contact details himself.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Not necessarily, if he was only in the US in 2012 from September - he probably didn't meet Substantial Presence, and could file as non-resident. We did this the first year we were here, and got all the US tax we'd had withheld magically refunded, as hubby had only worked for a month and therefore hadn't even earned enough to get into a tax bracket. 'Twas very nice.

Dunno how the housing and so on will be accounted for though - they must have a notional cash/ salary value recorded somewhere.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

We had a British woman that went through the H&R Block's crash course and only worked there for a couple of months. Then three years later, she sold her residence in the UK and didn't know that by not selling her house prior to 3 years, she had a $500,000 exclusion from US capital gains.

Nuff said.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Yes he could have filed as a non resident for the first year but unless it is prepared both ways, you don't know which is best. If you arrive very later in the year, probably 1040 NR is best but the earlier you arrive, it becomes more uncertain.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Good point, because you can't take all the exemptions/ deductions/ thingies, and I seem to recall you can't file married joint either.

It's probably the quickest win, mind you, and given the date...

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Married filing separately is the big one since marginal tax brackets are significantly higher than married filing jointly. However if you arrive in late November or December, you may have enough with the standard deduction and dependents to not pay any tax.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Uh am I the only person who's heard of TurboTax???? It's pretty thorough it takes you through EVERYTHING. Just sayin'.
It's like I'm in a foreign country..

Oh right I am.

Re: tax filing - advice requested
 

Turbo Tax doesn't do 1040NR or Dual Status. I suspect the reason is that the liability is too great for the number of people that might use it so why take the change of possibly getting sued for such small amount income and having a staff that understands international tax laws.