Originally Posted by GeoffM

.... Changing the subject, when filing jointly, does it make any difference to the final tax figures whether the husband or wife claims the dependents? I thought it's all lumped together in the return anyway so it didn't matter...?

Originally Posted by mrsmaccmoo

Hi, we have just completed our tax return forms for 2014 - I wanted to do this myself so I could try to understand the system, so I read through all the relevant publications and stuff on the IRS website and have completed about 5 different forms plus the state tax return (2014 a more complex year than standard for us, as we have various relocation benefits from husbands company plus I need a ITIN).

To be sure I have done things correctly, and fully understand the various 'nuances' of the system, I have called various tax professionals asking if I could have a 1 or 2 hour meeting to ask very specific questions (I've made a list!)..... they have all refused.... they will do the return for me, but they won't answer any specific questions or look at what I've done (HR Block said that would be creating a competitor).

So my question is, do you think the IRS office would answer questions if I call in? Or will I just need to submit what I've done and hope it's right? I need to go to an IRS office anyway with a W7 form (so I can avoid having to post my passport and visa), so I'm thinking I might be able to pick someone's brains then?

I'm guessing being new to the system would be no excuse for getting anything wrong!

Originally Posted by mrsmaccmoo

To be sure I have done things correctly, and fully understand the various 'nuances' of the system, I have called various tax professionals asking if I could have a 1 or 2 hour meeting to ask very specific questions (I've made a list!)..... they have all refused.... they will do the return for me, but they won't answer any specific questions or look at what I've done (HR Block said that would be creating a competitor).

So my question is, do you think the IRS office would answer questions if I call in? Or will I just need to submit what I've done and hope it's right? I need to go to an IRS office anyway with a W7 form (so I can avoid having to post my passport and visa), so I'm thinking I might be able to pick someone's brains then?

I'm guessing being new to the system would be no excuse for getting anything wrong!

Originally Posted by nun

The IRS will answer questions, but you could also ask them here. The advice won't be from professionals, so there would be no guarantees, so it's sort of like asking the audience in "Who wants to be a Millionaire". If 90% agree it's probably the right answer.

Originally Posted by mrsmaccmoo

Thanks - I think I will just double-check everything I've done and then submit it. I don't really understand why more people don't file their own returns, instead of paying others to do it for them..... I know it's long-winded, but all the info does seem to be there (somewhere!) on the IRS website. Seems such a mad system (in terms of bureaucracy) compared to the UK!

Originally Posted by Owen778

The US is well-known for having one of the most complicated taxation systems in the World.

Any expat who really thinks it's that simple is probably doing something wrong, especially if they think that in their first year of filing.

Originally Posted by GeoffM

But for the average taxpayer?

Originally Posted by Owen778

Sure, for someone without foreign funds, stock investments, dual status, or children it's fairly simple, though that may also depend on your state tax situation. If you want to itemize, it is complicated.

Originally Posted by GeoffM

Right - that's what I was getting act. For the Mitt Romney accountants, sure, it's tough. For most of the rest of us, it's not that difficult. Even with kids and even itemizing, but no foreign funds or investments. Last year I did mine in TurboTax parallel with an accountant and came out at roughly the same figure. Most of the difference was probably a chunk of foreign stuff carried over which I didn't try to put into TT. Yes, TT makes it relatively easy, but I was going through some of the forms it generates just checking for glaring errors, and most seems fairly straightforward. A bit of Googling here and there just to check a few things, comparison with last year's form as you say, and I did spot something on the CA returns that look a little strange.