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SUPPORT

 * Frequently Asked Questions
 * Glossary of Tax Terms
 * How H&R Block Expat Tax Services Works
   
 * Contact us at expatonline@hrblock.com


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FREQUENTLY ASKED EXPAT TAX QUESTIONS




DO I HAVE TO PAY TAXES AS A US CITIZEN LIVING ABROAD?
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?




CHECK OUT OUR FAQ TO SEE TOP US EXPAT TAX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS!




PRE-ENGAGEMENT




WHAT IS THE PRICE?

It's $99 USD, with your local VAT included. For investors or self-employed
filers, the price is $149 USD. Catching up on past-due returns using the
Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures is a flat fee of $699 USD. Additional
charges may apply for State returns, K-1s, FBARs, 1040NR, and Passive Foreign
Investment Companies (PFICs).



CAN YOU E-FILE MY RETURN FOR ME?

Yes, you can e-file your tax return with us. But note that the IRS requires a
paper-mailed tax return in certain situations.

But if that would apply to you, we'll guide you step-by-step through the process
to submit your return via post.



WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE TAX FILING DEADLINES?

As an American living abroad, you are likely trying to keep up with important
updates in the US and at home during the coronavirus pandemic. While taxes may
not be your top concern at this time, we understand you may have questions about
what’s changed and what it means for your return.

Therefore, we’ve created this resource to keep you informed on the impacts –
Coronavirus Tax Deadline



HOW WILL THE STIMULUS CHECKS IMPACT ME?

The US Federal government signed a relief package that includes stimulus checks
for US citizens who qualify. Expats have a lot of questions.

To help you out, we have provided answers to some of the common (and a few
uncommon) questions expats have asked about the stimulus checks and how it will
(and won’t) affect you – Stimulus Package Article



DO I GET A PDF COPY FOR MY OWN RECORDS?

Yes, of course – you’ll be able to download it right at the end!



CAN I FILE MULTIPLE YEARS?

Yes, we support catching up on prior year returns using the IRS Streamlined
Filing Compliance Procedures. For a flat fee of $699, we'll prepare your prior
year returns and guide you through the process to mail in the forms to the IRS.
Additional fees apply for FBARs and current year tax returns.



DO YOU SUPPORT FORM XYZ?

You can check out the list of supported forms here: List of supported forms



I’M A US CITIZEN LIVING ABROAD, WHY DO I NEED TO FILE A US TAX RETURN?

Great question! Unfortunately, our answer won’t be as great… it all boils down
to the US tax law. And we quote from the IRS:

“If you are a US citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income, estate,
and gift tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you
are in the United States or abroad. Your worldwide income is subject to US
income tax, regardless of where you reside.”

(read more here)



HOW DOES THIS WORK?

H&R Block Expat Tax Service’s DIY solution is a product for US expats to file
their US taxes themselves online. The app guides you through the tax return
process smoothly and efficiently. You sign in, answer a limited amount of
questions that are relevant for your return, confirm the results and
calculations and submit!



WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?

Ideally, you’ll have your foreign version of a W-2 (a document from your
employer that provides you with an overview of your total salary and taxes
paid). You don’t need to add it to your forms or send it to the IRS, but it will
be a handy reference!



CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR SECURITY MEASURES?

Of course - we're dealing with sensitive data, so we've taken several steps to
make this solution as secure as possible. We maintain physical, electronic and
procedural safeguards to protect the information you submit to us.



CAN I ALSO FILE MY STATE TAX RETURN?

Yes, our DIY solution supports federal and state returns. Note that most US
expats do not need to file a state return! But if you need to file a State
return, we can help.



DO YOU SUPPORT TAXES FOR OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL?

We do not. Today, our DIY solution for expats only supports US returns.



WHAT IF I MADE A MISTAKE DURING THE PROCESS?

You can save, go back, edit & update anytime. During the process, we’ll also be
giving you overview summaries to check and confirm your input.



WHEN AND HOW DO I PAY H&R BLOCK FOR THE TAX RETURN?

You pay after you complete your tax profile and we provide you a summary of the
outcome of your return. We offer a variety of online payment options, the
particular options available may vary depending on where you live.



CAN I PAY WITH A NON-US CREDIT CARD?

Yes, absolutely!



CAN I FILE USING THE FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION?

Yes, you can! Based on the data you enter, we’ll determine which option would be
better in your case: The FEIE or the Foreign Tax Credit.



CAN I FILE USING THE FOREIGN TAX CREDIT?

Yes, you can! Based on the data you enter, we’ll determine which option would be
better in your case: The FTC or the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.



WHAT IF I GET STUCK?

Have questions before making your payment? Email us at expatonline@hrblock.com.
Have a question about your payment or your specific tax return or e-filing?
Reach out to expatonlinefiling@hrblock.com.



MY SPOUSE DOESN’T HAVE A SSN OR ITIN – CAN I STILL USE YOUR SERVICE?

Yes, we’d file you as Married, filing separately, and will be able to e-file
your return.



DO I NEED TO FILE AN EXTENSION?

If you do not believe you will be able to get all of your US and foreign tax
documents together in time for the June 15 deadline (or April 15 if residing in
the US), then yes, you will need an extension to October 15. Note that the
extension only extends the time to file the return, it does not extend the time
to pay any tax due to the IRS.



DURING DATA ENTRY




I CAN’T ENTER MY MIDDLE NAME EVEN THOUGH IT’S SPELLED OUT ON MY SSN CARD

That’s alright, when we e-file your return, the IRS will only accept one initial
for your middle name. If you have multiple middle names, only the initial of the
first one is required.



I’M IN A CIVIL UNION WITH MY PARTNER – SHOULD I CHECK MARRIED OR SINGLE?

That depends on the specific legal framework of your civil union: If it is on
equal legal footing as a marriage, then you should file as married. If the civil
union in your country is not on the same level as a marriage, then you should
file as single.



DO I NEED TO ENTER MY MONTHLY OR ANNUAL SALARY?

Please use the annual total for income and taxes paid.



I MOVED WITHIN THE YEAR. SHOULD I ENTER MY ANNUAL SALARY OR JUST ADD UP THE
MONTHS THAT I WAS PAID?

Please enter the actual income you had and not the target income.



THE SUMMARY PAGE SAYS I’M GETTING USD 1400 AS A REFUND – HOW CAN THAT BE?

That’s because we have determined you can claim the Additional Child Tax Credit



WHAT IS AN FBAR?

If you have a foreign bank account, you might have special reporting
requirements, known as an FBAR filing (Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Reporting). But don’t worry, we can walk you through the process while you’re
filing. Also, we created a reference article if you have additional questions -
https://www.hrblock.com/expat-tax-preparation/resource-center/forms/fbar/fbar-filing-overview/



POST-PAYMENT




I FORGOT TO ENTER SOMETHING!

That’s alright – you can still go back and make the necessary edits.



THERE’S A TYPO IN MY ADDRESS OR NAME!

Please log back in and edit the appropriate section.



HOW DO I MAKE IRS PAYMENTS

You can use the following website link to make a tax payment:
https://www.irs.gov/payments



HOW TO READ YOUR TAX PACKAGE




WHY DO I OWE US TAXES?

When you’re a US Citizen or Green Card Holder living abroad, you’re required to
file US taxes to the IRS every year if you reach the income filing threshold.
However, filing US taxes doesn’t always mean that you have to pay taxes. In most
cases, you need to report your information.

How does that happen?
When you pay taxes in your adopted country, you probably won’t owe any US taxes
because of certain expat tax benefits.

For example, you could use the Foreign Tax credits against your US income.
Another option is to use Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to exclude your foreign
wages from US taxation.

However, there are some instances why you would pay US taxes to the IRS:

 * Have US-sourced income, which is over the standard deduction, thus subject to
   US income tax
 * Have US-sourced income with no federal taxes withheld
 * Do not pay enough foreign income tax on unearned foreign income, which is
   still subject to US taxatio (e.g., capital gains on foreign property sold)
 * You’re subject to self-employment tax, and there’s no Totalization Agreement
   in the country you’re in




WHY DO I HAVE A REFUND?

There are a few reasons why you’re due for a refund on your US tax return, even
if you’re not living in the US.

 * Unclaimed stimulus checks
 * Additional child tax credit
 * If you have US-sourced income and had federal withholdings
 * If you paid estimated taxes on prior-year filing
 * Premium Tax Credit




WHY THERE’S A NEGATIVE SIGN IN LINE 8?

The negative sign in line 8 shows that we’ve used the Foreign Earned Income
Exclusion on your return.

You can find the computation in Schedule 1 of the return, the Other Income
Statement (at the end), and Form 2555.



WHY DO I SEE MULTIPLE FORM 1116S?

Each Form 1116 has a Regular and an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) version, tied
to Form 6251. This AMT tax calculation is always run in the background to avoid
taking too many credits or deductions.

As you have both General and Passive income, there are 2 Form 1116s, each with
two versions. We always track foreign tax credits, and it is part of the
standard tax package.



WHY DO WE REVOKE THE FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION?

If you have used the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) in your previous
year, some instances revoking it for a specific tax year and claiming the
Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) would be beneficial. Some of the few instances are:

 * When you want to claim the child tax credit
 * When you want to contribute to IRA
 * When you’re paying your correct taxes, and you’re in a country that has a
   higher tax rate than the US




CAN I CLAIM THE CHILD TAX REFUND WITH FORM 2555?

With Form 2555, you cannot claim the Additional Child Tax Credit refund.
However, with Form 1116, you can.

Our expat tax software allows you to claim the tax credit and will help you
determine whether you can receive the new fully refundable credit of
$3,000-$3,600 on your taxes.

We can also help you start using the Foreign Tax Credit to receive the Child Tax
Credit instead of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.



CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO MY IRA IF TAXABLE COMPENSATION IS EXCLUDED?

You cannot contribute to your IRA if almost all your taxable compensation is
excluded via Foreign Earned Income Exclusion/Form 2555. Remember, Form 2555/FEIE
This form is also not a required expat tax form – you can use either Form 2555
or Form 1116 (as used in your tax package) to offset US taxes.

Instead, it may be more beneficial to claim the FTC (Foreign Tax Credit) since
it can bring better results than the FEIE and still allow you to contribute to
your IRA as a US citizen abroad.

As an American abroad, when you claim the Foreign Tax Credit, you will declare
your net self-employment income or wages as taxable. Both will allow you to open
up and contribute to an IRA account in the US. Plus, the Foreign Tax Credit
gives a tax reduction in the United States from any tax amount paid to the
country you work and/or reside in, so it can still eliminate your US tax
liability to $0 as FEIE would generally do.

Saving for retirement as an American abroad by having an IRA helps with
financial security for your future. As you are coming into retirement, you know
you will have money to live off of due to your efforts in early investing.

Learn more about IRS contribution limits and retirements topics or about
revoking the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.



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