Tax Returns

[mel4 9]

My Canadian husband and I got married in 2015 and I moved to Canada that year with no US income in 2016-present. We were advised that we will need to present the past 3 years of my US tax returns (2016, 2017, 2018) none of which I have filed. The last year I filed was 2015 as that was the last year I had any US income. We have submitted our I-130 and was advised the tax returns will be needed for the NVC stage of the process even though I haven’t worked in the US during those years. I called HR Block in Calgary and they want $600 per year for filing US tax returns, which would be $1200. We think this is astronomical cost. Is there another way we can do this or any suggestions on a cheaper company? We do not have any dependents or assets together and I should qualify as exempt from paying any taxes for being out of the country more than 330 days of each year. I am hesitant to file on my own as I do not know if I am going as single or married as my husband never lived or worked in the US and doesn’t have a social.

 

needing help and suggestions!!

[WOODHIKER 30]

On 10/15/2019 at 1:59 PM, mel4 said:

My Canadian husband and I got married in 2015 and I moved to Canada that year with no US income in 2016-present. We were advised that we will need to present the past 3 years of my US tax returns (2016, 2017, 2018) none of which I have filed. The last year I filed was 2015 as that was the last year I had any US income. We have submitted our I-130 and was advised the tax returns will be needed for the NVC stage of the process even though I haven’t worked in the US during those years. I called HR Block in Calgary and they want $600 per year for filing US tax returns, which would be $1200. We think this is astronomical cost. Is there another way we can do this or any suggestions on a cheaper company? We do not have any dependents or assets together and I should qualify as exempt from paying any taxes for being out of the country more than 330 days of each year. I am hesitant to file on my own as I do not know if I am going as single or married as my husband never lived or worked in the US and doesn’t have a social.

 

needing help and suggestions!!

What was your immigration status when you lived in the US and prior to you moving to Canada? Are you a US citizen?

[NikLR 13,220]

On 10/15/2019 at 2:59 PM, mel4 said:

My Canadian husband and I got married in 2015 and I moved to Canada that year with no US income in 2016-present. We were advised that we will need to present the past 3 years of my US tax returns (2016, 2017, 2018) none of which I have filed. The last year I filed was 2015 as that was the last year I had any US income. We have submitted our I-130 and was advised the tax returns will be needed for the NVC stage of the process even though I haven’t worked in the US during those years. I called HR Block in Calgary and they want $600 per year for filing US tax returns, which would be $1200. We think this is astronomical cost. Is there another way we can do this or any suggestions on a cheaper company? We do not have any dependents or assets together and I should qualify as exempt from paying any taxes for being out of the country more than 330 days of each year. I am hesitant to file on my own as I do not know if I am going as single or married as my husband never lived or worked in the US and doesn’t have a social.

 

needing help and suggestions!!

You can file as married filing separately.  You WILL have to back file.  I suggest contacting a US company not a Canadian one to do the filing if you aren't comfortable yourself but I don't have any issues using a normal tax program to do it.  In fact I use Tax Slayer online as my husband used it when he was in the military. 

[Lemonslice 4,549]

If your situation is not too complicated, an American CPA would be cheaper than the Canadian HR Block.  Your finances might even be simple enough to use free tax software. If you have bank/financial accounts in Canada, you might also have to do this: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar