Is it worth it to be a US citizen now?

[Dantrolene 15]

I just got my permanent GC for 10 yrs. Should I apply for citizenship or not yet ?  Is it helpful to be US citizen if I want to live amd work some time overseas ? Is it gonna yield more taxes vs. being just a resident ?  Pros and cons  please ? Other than being able to vote. 

 

 Appreciate all thoughts. 

[millefleur 5,035]

4 minutes ago, Dantrolene said:

I just got my permanent GC for 10 yrs. Should I apply for citizenship or not yet ?  Is it helpful to be US citizen if I want to live amd work some time overseas ? Is it gonna yield more taxes vs. being just a resident ?  Pros and cons  please ? Other than being able to vote. 

 

 Appreciate all thoughts. 

I don't know what country you are from, but in the case of our situation, getting US citizenship is a huge benefit because it opens up global travel in terms of no longer requiring a visa to places like Schengen European countries and many others. The US passport is one of the best in the world in terms of travel benefits.

 

The other obvious benefit I can see is that, if for some reason you relocated abroad outside of the US and wanted to return down the road, you would not have to go through the paperwork nightmare that is US immigration is because you'd be a citizen. I know one of the major drawbacks to a US passport is that citizens are required to pay taxes even if they live/work abroad, but in my opinion the pros significantly outweigh the cons.

[Dantrolene 15]

1 minute ago, millefleur said:

I don't know what country you are from, but in the case of our situation, getting US citizenship is a huge benefit because it opens up global travel in terms of no longer requiring a visa to places like Schengen European countries and many others. The US passport is one of the best in the world in terms of travel benefits.

 

The other obvious benefit I can see is that, if for some reason you relocated abroad outside of the US and wanted to return down the road, you would not have to go through the paperwork nightmare that is US immigration is because you'd be a citizen. I know one of the major drawbacks to a US passport is that citizens are required to pay taxes even if they live/work abroad, but in my opinion the pros significantly outweigh the cons.

I agree with you when it comes to travel benefits and easy to return...but the taxation part is the only thing that is bothering me. Why should i pay double taxes ?  I am not sure if being just a US resident will be treated the same as a citizen when it comes to paying taxes while working abroad. Any accurate data ? 

[millefleur 5,035]

**Removed duplicate thread and moved this thread from Passports, etc. - What to do now that you are a US citizen to US Citizenship General Discussion**

[Lil bear 3,831]

24 minutes ago, Dantrolene said:

I agree with you when it comes to travel benefits and easy to return...but the taxation part is the only thing that is bothering me. Why should i pay double taxes ?  I am not sure if being just a US resident will be treated the same as a citizen when it comes to paying taxes while working abroad. Any accurate data ? 

All USC and LPR are required to declare all worldwide income... not the same as paying tax on all income as there are many country based exceptions granted by the IRS, 

[Unlockable 7,306]

1 hour ago, Dantrolene said:

I agree with you when it comes to travel benefits and easy to return...but the taxation part is the only thing that is bothering me. Why should i pay double taxes ?  I am not sure if being just a US resident will be treated the same as a citizen when it comes to paying taxes while working abroad. Any accurate data ? 

Actually, taxes are treated the same between USC and PR. Why wouldn't it. As a permanent resident of the US, you are considered a tax resident. You must declare/file (and pay) taxes whether it is earned inside the US or not. So, you might as well become a US citizen because living and working in a another country as a PR can lead to you losing your residency status. As a US citizen, you can live and work outside the US as long as you like.

 

Here is a short summary from a law website that discusses paying worldwide taxes as a green card holder (permanent resident).

https://immigration.findlaw.com/visas/immigration-and-taxes-who-has-to-pay-u-s-taxes.html

Edited February 16, 2019 by NuestraUnion

[Dantrolene 15]

5 hours ago, NuestraUnion said:

Actually, taxes are treated the same between USC and PR. Why wouldn't it. As a permanent resident of the US, you are considered a tax resident. You must declare/file (and pay) taxes whether it is earned inside the US or not. So, you might as well become a US citizen because living and working in a another country as a PR can lead to you losing your residency status. As a US citizen, you can live and work outside the US as long as you like.

 

Here is a short summary from a law website that discusses paying worldwide taxes as a green card holder (permanent resident).

https://immigration.findlaw.com/visas/immigration-and-taxes-who-has-to-pay-u-s-taxes.html

 Since it's the same when it comes to reporting and paying taxes. Is there any restrictions by being a citizen from the government or worldwide when it comes to laws and child support and alimony etc ? 

[little immigrant 800]

If you owe child support you're not paying you won't get a passport 

 

My biggest reason to become a US citizen was so I could petition someone to come here and his family. Chain immigration if you will.

Edited February 16, 2019 by little immigrant

[Dantrolene 15]

I don't owe anything.  I mean the regulations and laws would be strict on citizens more than residents? Or all tested the same?

[Russ&Caro 1,548]

25 minutes ago, Dantrolene said:

 Since it's the same when it comes to reporting and paying taxes. Is there any restrictions by being a citizen from the government or worldwide when it comes to laws and child support and alimony etc ? 

Something like 75% of child support payments come through employers - they garnish non-custodial parents' paychecks.  The various State child support agencies are very good at collecting through employers. So whether you're a citizen or an LPR and you work for a W-4 based employer (which is almost all of them), chances are you're going to pay child support. If you have your own business or work on contract (not for contract employer who are almost all W-4 based) then you have a chance of skating on child support, but even then the courts are going to try to come after you for the money.

 

If I was a green card holder and considering re-locating sometime in the future, I'd definitely apply for citizenship, sooner than later. Your return to the US is guaranteed that way.

[Dantrolene 15]

Ok so seems like citizenship won't affect me negatively on personal or business or career or location  perspective.  It seems to be a benefit all  the time to be a dual citizen. Plus travel benefits. Thanks for the relief guys. Now I feel I am not stranded or targeted more by being a citizen. 

[JFH 12,189]

Jury duty. That’s one of my reasons for taking citizenship later this year. I’m fascinated with legal process. 

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

For me, my right to vote was a big factor in deciding to apply for citizenship. I believe both PR and Citizens are treated the same for tax purposes. However, expat’s income is tax free up to a certain amount ($75,000 maybe). Someone verify that please. 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

exempt foreign income is well over $100,000

 

but more important,  you get to vote and hopefully there will be new  immigration (legal and illegal ) talk from all politicians

and this is so important to us

 

as far as jury duty goes,  it is disappointing when you see how the system works as  it is slow and there is too much evidence not allowed and too many plea bargains and the system  is lopsided and favors those with money  and high power attorneys  (just my opinion)

but i get called for jury duty in every city and state i have lived in

[Cryssiekins 976]

48 minutes ago, JFH said:

Jury duty. That’s one of my reasons for taking citizenship later this year. I’m fascinated with legal process. 

I waited 12 years in Canada to be selected for jury duty and it never came.  I moved to the US and a month later, the notice came.  I was so angry.  Like, of course it would come then.  I was no longer a resident so I legally couldn’t go to it.

 

I plan on applying for citizenship when my window opens in 11 months (who’s counting) solely for the hopes I will be selected for jury duty.  Haha