The US Expat Tax Filing Considerations for Americans Living in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most popular places for American expats but how does living in this beautiful city affect their US expat taxes? Hong Kong is an economic hub of China and SouthEast Asia, is respected as one of the most important cities in the world. Additionally, living there as an American, you will think about your home country now and again plus rest assured that it has not forgotten you particularly when it comes to file US taxes.

What you should know?

American citizens and green card holders living in Hong Kong must continue to file a US tax return every year. But filling while living abroad comes with new considerations and questions like do I have additional info to report to the internal revenue system or how do my Hong Kong financial accounts affect my tax filing? How can I reduce my tax return?

In this post, we have outlined some considerations for US citizens working in Hong Kong, thus you know what affects the taxes for US citizens living in Hong Kong they pay as well as which forms taxpayers need to file American Tax for US Residents Living Hong Kong.

U.S expat tax filing considerations

Working as an American in Hong Kong can affect your taxes even if you do not stay for a long time. For instance- if any person earns income while on a short term assignment, that person will need to report that income on his or her US taxes. As you establish deeper financial roots in the city, you will have more considerations for your filling.

You have to report your Hong Kong financial accounts and assets. Usually US taxpayers with over $10000 in foreign bank or financial accounts are subject to FBAR filing and reporting needs. Furthermore, you may be subject to FATCA reporting needs if you have foreign assets valued at $200000 and higher. Taxpayers can reduce their US bill and avoid dual taxation with some tax strategies. You may take advantage of one of two options to lower your taxes. These options are mentioned just below:

    • The foreign earned income exclusion lets you exclude your wages from your US taxes. Keep in mind that this option is available to those individuals who meet certain time based residency needs. The foreign tax credit allows you to claim a credit for income taxes paid to an overseas government. It is usually more favorable for Americans living in Hong Kong to use the foreign earned income exclusion because of lower rates in Hong Kong. Your tax advisor can confirm the best option for you.

    • Your Hong Kong pension is nog tax free in the US. If you participate in a mandatory provident fund or MRP through your employer, you can deduct your contributions from your taxes in Hong Kong. But your contributions are not deductible and your employer's contributions are taxable for the US tax purposes. 

Does US expat taxes rules changed after US election?

 About 9 million US expats live and work in another country but they retain their federal government tax reporting as they retain their US citizenship. With the global pandemic (COVID 19) hit the global economy and after the change in the US government, US citizens living abroad may wonder how the US election will impact expats and taxes. You can expect to have certain change in the expat rules and policies with the win of the democratic party. Irrespective of who wins the US presidency, US taxes will still be a key factor of US expats. US expat tax service providers want to ensure you will always be safe and in good standing with the internal revenue system, thus you don't face unnecessary issues in life. Their tax software makes it simple and easy.

Tax Deadline for Individuals living abroad:

The deadline for filing and pay 2020 federal US tax for US citizens living abroad  is June 15, 2021.

There has been thinking whether expats taxes rules will undergo change or not with the claims that new US government will raise taxes. Joe Biden, the newly appointed president of US, does have some good plans to roll back some changes from earlier president ( Donald Trump) signature tax law, jobs act and tax cuts.

The tax cuts and jobs act signed by former US President Trump on December 22, 2017, was one of the most comprehensive and ambitious tax reform bills in the history of America. It provides many US taxpayers and investors with lower taxes and increased incentives to invest in the US. But, the TCJA was controversial due to its favorable corporate tax provisions and estate tax changes, aa a result culminating with several democrats was focusing their 2018 congressional campaigns on repealing or amended the bills.

Joe Biden government wants to double the GILTI  (global intangible low taxed income) rate from 10.5% to 21% if you want to register an overseas business with a US parent company. GILTI is a concept from the tax cuts and jobs act and this makes corporate taxable income gets added from overseas income. Also, there are lawsuits against this GILTI tax for US expats being examined.

Also, the new government want to raise overall corporate tax (21% to 28%). The political party doesn't want to repeal citizenship based taxation. The newly appointed US president reached out to democrats abroad that he will work with Americans overseas and address expatriate issues.

The majority of Americans expats won't to see any big changes about US taxes. But, the democratic party has won the US election and so there could be some new rules regarding foreign registered businesses. So, American living abroad must look for advising from professional expat tax individuals to make sure that they avoid penalties, adhere to expat tax laws and file US tax in the beneficial way provided their circumstances.

You must do some research online to find the best US tax advice professional, do not forget to ask your friends and business partners for the same.

How to Save Money on US Expat Taxes Return Filing While Living in Australia

 

If you are a US citizen and living in Australia  then filing  Federal tax for non residents is a necessity. It doesn't matter where you are living in the world, but you can save money on your expat taxes. Here are all the details you need so you can save the most money on your US expatriate taxes.

The foreign earned income exclusion

When it comes to reducing American tax for US citizens living Australia,   the most common way US expats reduce their US tax liability. It lets you exclude the first $99,200 of foreign earned income from US taxation. This exclusion is not automatic, but you need to both qualify for and elect it using form 2555 or 2555 EZ as well. You have to pass one of the two residency test to be eligible for the FEIE. 

1) the physical presence test and 

2) the bona fide residence test. Under the first one, you have to physically present inside a overseas country for at least 330 of any 365 day period. But anytime you spend travelling to or from the US can't be included in those 330 days. Track your time very carefully as spending one day too many in the US can cost you big amount.

The foreign housing exclusion

It works in conjunction with the first one ( FEIE) to reduce your income by using your housing expenses you have paid to increase your FEIE for the year while reducing your income. Also, qualify for and claim the FEIE. Have to qualifying foreign housing expenses such as house rent, insurance, furniture rentals and certain utilities. Have paid your housing expenses from employer provided funds that can be designated as housing funds or part of your regular wages. Have housing expenses that exceed the base amount is 16 percent of the FEIE.

The foreign tax credit (FTC)

There are a few of amazing reasons to use the foreign tax credit. The FTC does not need you to have overseas earned income and you don't need to qualify to use it. Thus, if you don't qualify as a US expat and pay taxes on overseas income than you use FTC as a dollar for dollar credit on those taxes you paid to overseas country. Those residing in high tax countries may find that using the FTC can save them more. This is because you may pay more in overseas taxes than you would owe in US taxes that leaves you with additional foreign credits. Also, one can use those additional credits to offset future taxes or could carry back the credits and amend last year's return to potentially get a refund from the internal revenue system.

Those who qualify for the FEIE could use the FTC in conjunction with the FEIE if income exceeds the $99,200 thresholds. In this case you may be able to offset the US taxes on the money of unexcluded income.

These tips will help you save on your expatriate taxes and filing as close to the first deadline as possible. They can also help you save big if you will owe taxes to the IRS.

How to Pay American tax for US Citizens Living Abroad

 

If you are living and working in any other country and you are a US citizen, then you must know how to file your US tax return from your currently living country. You must not overlook this aspect if want to get the advantages that every tax payer loves. It does not matter where you live or work, if you are a US citizen then you must know the processes related to Federal tax for non residents preparation.

Go for a trusted US expat tax service provider

    • These days many agencies that are providing services and helping expats for US tax returns preparation. You can reap great advantages if you hire a professional service provider who has many years of experience in this field. Many people believe that they are living in another country, so they don't need care about US tax return and meet the requirements behind the US taxation. We want to tell them this is not right. As you and a US citizen are living abroad, you always have to keep in that you must know the steps related to US tax returns preparation. Apart from this, you also need to know how taxation is going to affect f in case you choose to reside in any other country for example-the UK.

    • UK has become a more favorable place for US expats and boasts the right kind of environment for US Expats living there. Also, English as the first language and many nationalities are some of the most fundamental reasons why US people love to move to UK so as to find their bread and butter.  But you need to know that when you are living in UK and hoe it is going to affect the US expat taxes. Besides, you must know what type of tax you need to pay in UK.

    • You must look for professional help so as to file US taxes from your current country. Permanent residents and US citizens need to file the expat taxes every year with federal government no matter where these people use to live. They are also required to submit that US tax return which discloses the assets that are held with their overseas bank account.

There are a few countries that use to tax the international income which is earned by their residents or citizens and the US is one of them. Also, US citizens living abroad have to pay the tax for their international Income. If you are one such person then you must file US taxes from your currently living place. For this, you have to follow the steps associated with US tax return preparation. For this, a professional expert can help you. To find a good tax preparer, you can search online or even ask your friends and family for references.

 

The tax law of any country, including the United States, is a complex structure with numerous moving elements. Knowing the fundamentals of the US tax code is the first step toward understanding it.

What is the status of the US tax code? We've highlighted several tax rates, rankings, and measurements for the income tax, corporate tax, consumer tax, property tax, and international tax systems in the table below.

Index of International Tax Competitiveness

The International Tax Competitiveness Index (ITCI) of the Tax Foundation assesses how well us expat tax return systems of the 36 OECD nations foster competitiveness and neutrality through low tax burdens on company investment and a well-structured tax code. More than 40 variables are taken into account by the ITCI is divided into five categories: corporate taxes, individual taxes, consumption taxes, property taxes, and international tax rules.

The ITCI aims to show which nations offer the most significant tax environment for investors and which countries give the best us expat tax return environment for employees and enterprises.

Revenue Sources in the United States

Individual income taxes or corporate income taxes, social insurance taxes, taxes on products and services, and property taxes are all used by countries to raise revenue. The combination of tax policies can determine whether the US expat taxes system is distortionary or neutral. Income taxes can cause more economic harm than consumption and property taxes. However, the extent to which each country relies on each of these taxes varies significantly.

Taxation of Corporations in the United States

Corporate earnings are taxed in all OECD nations, though the rates and bases differ significantly. The most detrimental tax for economic growth is corporate income taxes, although countries can offset the costs by lowering corporate tax rates and providing substantial capital allowances.

Capital allowances have a direct impact on new investment incentives. In most countries, firms are not permitted to deduct the cost of capital investments immediately. Instead, they must deduct these costs over a more extended period, raising the tax burden on new investments. This can be calculated by determining the percentage of the present value cost that a company can deduct over the asset's lifetime. Tax policies in countries with more generous capital allowances support company investment, which underlies economic growth.

Taxation of Individuals in the United States

Individual taxes are one of the most common ways for governments in the OECD to raise money. Personal income taxes are levied on a person's or a family's earnings to pay for government activities. These taxes are usually progressive, which means that the rate at which an individual's income is taxed rises as the individual earns more.

The money raised from these taxes is usually used to fund social insurance programs like unemployment insurance, government pensions, and health insurance.

Taxes on consumption in the United States

Consumption taxes are levied on products and services and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The value-added tax (VAT) is the most frequent consumption tax in the OECD and much of the globe. Most consumption taxes either do not charge intermediate company inputs or provide a credit for taxes already spent on those inputs, avoiding the problem of tax pyramiding, in which the same final good or service is taxed numerous times during the manufacturing process. Because company inputs are excluded, a consumption tax is one of the most cost-effective ways to raise income.

Everything You Want to Know About US Expat Taxes

US Expat tax is a complex topic. It is therefore imperative that you understand the ins and outs of the US expat tax system. United States is one of those two countries in the world that tax its citizen for income earned by them in any part of the world. US citizens living abroad have to pay the expat taxes for the income by them abroad

Understanding the US tax code can be a daunting task. And for US citizens living abroad, the information of expat taxes are even more complex and confusing. Here are some of the things that have to be taken into account about US expat taxes:

1. Expats must file American taxes if they have income, received certain credits or other special situations that might apply. If you are an American citizen earning over a certain amount of foreign income abroad then you are bound to file US tax return. If you are legally US citizen, you have a tax obligation to the US.

2. Most American expats do not owe US taxes: There are varieties of mechanisms in place to prevent US expats from being double taxed on foreign earned income. In most situations US expats can offset foreign earned income with – Foreign tax credit, Foreign earned income exclusion and Foreign Housing exclusion.

3. Expats might still have to pay US state taxes: Living abroad does not automatically exclude American expats from paying state taxes and it depends on the state you live in prior to moving abroad. It is recommended that you consult an expert and professional American expat tax services if you are if you have state tax obligation or not.

4. If you are US expat and not filing taxes can result in losing of your passport, being charged with fines and other penalties to jail for serious tax evaders.

5. Claiming children as dependents will give you few perks on your US expat taxes. However, while you are abroad, your eligibility can differ. If you claim FEIE, you are not able to claim the refundable portion, meaning the child tax credit will not lead to refund on your return.

6. If you are a US expat and has never filed a tax return, then IRS understands that is it a complex topic and show lenience with genuine mistakes. With streamlined filing compliance procedures the expats can get caught up on multiple years of US expat taxes.

7. You may qualify for COVID 19 stimulus checks if you fall within the income threshold, have a social security number and file taxes as an expat. All the non filers and retired expats who live abroad also qualify.

8. The US government and the country where the US expats are living provide them with the variety of aids to prevent them from double taxation. These aids include tax treaties, the foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit.

9. If you retire abroad you may still have to pay US expat taxes on your retirement income and social security payments.

10. When filing for expat taxes, certain investment accounts or retirement plans owned abroad may not be treated the same as your US counterparts, changing your liability drastically.

Know about new US tax extension deadline for the year 2020

 Recently moved to another country for work? What you need to know about US Expat tax preparation before you go to that country. Taxpayers American living abroad have to file a US tax return if they meet certain income thresholds even if they don't owe any tax. If you are a US citizen or green card holder, then you must file a US tax return if you meet the filing thresholds.

Let's know about the tax year 2019 thresholds:

Filing Status Gross income

·         Single (under age 65) $12,200

·         Married filing jointly (under age 65) $24,400

·         Married filing separately (any age) $5

·         Head of household (under age 65) $18,350

·         If you are self-employed and had at least $400 in self-employment income, you also have to file.

To get the stimulus payment from the CARES act for COVID 19 relief, you must have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. Keep in mind that the more you know about the US expat tax preparation requirements before you move abroad, the better prepared you will be able to file an accurate tax return and maximize your savings. Also gather as much information as you cab before moving abroad as you want to be prepared to file your US expat taxes during the next tax year. There are certain things you must know.

·         You get special tax credits and exclusions when filing Abroad.

·         How to ensure you get your mail and leave the junk behind

·         Each state has individual regulations

·         The US filing dates

·         How your US income will be treated compared to overseas income.

Let's know about new US tax extension deadline for the year 2020

The typical extension deadline for filing US Tax Returns For Non Residents was June 15. There was the option of filing for an even greater extension to Oct 15. You will need to fill out a specific form to do that. You can use tax software for filing all your extension forms as well. But, the internal revenue system (IRS) tax authorities have initiated a new rule for tax season 2018. In addition to this, the IRS stated that the US tax extension deadline was July 15 and this goes for both filing and paying US taxes from overseas.

This July 15 deadline was for now only for this year. Now we are into 2021 taxes paying and filing deadline have moved back to their original places. If you have to file for an extension, you can do so to free via expat ts software. You need to sign in and the software will file the tax return on your behalf and fill in the right information.