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HikerMark

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Posts posted by HikerMark

  1. Based on a different thread the OP started, I believe it is an issue of her husband owing back child support. If they file a joint return, the government may keep any return to pay his support to his ex.

    In that case they could still file jointly and submit an injured spouse claim. That would enable part of the refund to go to the spouse who didn't owe anything to the government. The split won't necessarily be 50:50 and in many cases the greater majority of the refund goes to that spouse. The downside is that it will take 6 to 9 months to get the refund.

    As I mentioned before they should work the taxes both ways (joint or separate) to see which one gives them the best refund and if joint is better submit the injured spouse claim.

  2. I can only comment on the tax.

    If you have been filing jointly for the previous years why are you thinking about married filing separately this year?

    Usually married separately is bad news particularly if you are claiming kids as dependents as you will owe more tax filing that way.

    You need to work out the tax both ways, married filing joint and married filing separate to see which one gives you the best tax position.

  3. Hi Guys I dont know where to find tax related discussions here.

    Got married 01/2011 wife in Philippines till Nov/2011 How do you file tax and claim her?

    By default in the first year you cannot file married filing jointly because your wife is a dual citizen (non-resident for part of year and resident for the rest of the year). This would mean filing married filing separately. You as the US citizen would include all your income for the year on your return and your wife would most likely only need to report her US income from Nov/2011 plus any Phillippine income she had from Nov/2011 on her return. Down side is that she can't have a standard deduction which means you can't have one either so you both have to itemize which may be bad if you don't have a mortgage.

    However, you can elect for your wife to be treated as a US resident for the whole tax year. You can then file jointly but your wife then needs to include on the joint return all of her income for the year both Phillippine and US income. If her Phillippine income is wages she should qualify for an exemption for that income but not for anything like investment income. By filing joint you would then be able to take the married standard deduction.

    You need to work out the tax position both ways to see which one is the best.

    My position is very similar to yours as I arrived in November 2008. Most of my UK income was investment income so it worked out in my case we were better off filing separately in 2008 then started joint filing in 2009.

    The first year of arrival is not as straight forward as a lot of people think and you do need to work out the tax both ways.

  4. Sorry for the mis understand

    I do have my SSN Card, but i'm asking for the other staff like TIN (which is required in W9)

    As well, I'm asking for the IRS required documentation to be done, in addition to this TIN and employee identification number

    Thanks friends

    The SSN is your TIN. For individuals with a SSN that will always be your TIN.

    On the W-9 just complete the SSN boxes. The employer identification number is only for businesses.

    Make sure you complete the W-9 and give it to the bank otherwise they can apply back up withholding of up to 30% from any interest they pay you.

    As far as the IRS is concerned your next required documentation will be to complete your 2011 1040 Tax Return. That will declare all your income for the year ended December 31, 2011. The return needs to be filed with the IRS by April 15 each year.

    You can download the form and instructions from the IRS web site. http://www.irs.gov

    If this is your first US Tax Return I would advise you to get professional assistance as there are a number of different scenarios to be checked for your first return to make sure that you get the biggest refund or pay the lowest amount of tax.

  5. Do you intend to operate as self-employed?

    If so, get a web site up and running and join Linkedin. Once on Linkedin there are several really good QuickBooks and Bookkeeping groups where you can get good advice. Also, try approaching local CPAs as they often want to subcontract out the bookkeeping work.

    I started up my accounting and tax business in July and am now a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. I highly recommend becoming a QuickBooks ProAdvisor as you get featured on their Find A ProAdvisor web site plus get all the special support and software.

    Best of luck. :)

  6. Reading through this, it applies to financial accounts only, not assets, correct? Rin and I own a house in Thailand worth more than $10K. Assume we don't have to tell the IRS about it, right?

    That is correct. It only applies to financial accounts. Even financial assets such as company stock held directly does not need to be reported.

    Of course you would need to report the Thailand property on your US tax return if you get any rental income from it or ever sell it and make a loss or gain.

  7. Just a friendly reminder that those of us with more than $10,000 in foreign bank accounts, mutual funds or certain pension funds and other funds need to file form TD F 90-22.1 with the US Treasury by June 30, 2011 in respect of 2010.

    Earlier in the year clearer guidance was issued on who needs to file and the form was revised so make sure you use the latest version of the form.

    The IRS has been getting pretty tough on those who do not file the FBAR and have been charging substantial penalties even for those with relatively low balances.

    Full information on the FBAR and the form can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=148849,00.html.

  8. We weighed up all the pros and cons and in the end it came down to just a few factors. Kim would have found it difficult to find similar work where I lived in the the UK. Housing is cheaper here in the US and my career was more transferable being a tax adviser. So far it has worked out pretty well. We now have a nice brand new house, after two tax seasons with H&R Block I will soon be starting up on my own and Kim has kept the wolf from the door with a good job and benefits. :)

    Oh, and I don't miss the UK weather. Waking up to blue skies and sunshine almost every day is very therapeutic. :)

  9. Got my email approval this afternoon at 4.30pm. :)

    Best of luck to those who are still waiting. Hopefully it won't be long.

    Updated VivaBanos card receipt.

    California Service Center (31 applicants, 23 approved, 74%)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    MR.G...............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/29/10........12/14/10.... (card received 12/17)

    DO_CSC.............09/01/10..........09/02/10.......11/19/10........01/07/11.... (Early Bio 11/02)

    ANTONIO Y OLGA.....09/03/10..........09/07/10.......10/18/10........12/28/10....

    T0+................09/04/10..........09/13/10.......10/14/10........--/--/--.... (RFE received 1/06/11)

    WOODENSHOE101......09/07/10..........09/10/10.......10/18/10........12/15/10.... (Early Bio 9/30)

    THIRDSJEN..........09/08/10..........09/09/10.......11/04/10........12/30/10.... (Early Bio 10/13)

    JORDANUSA..........09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/15/10........12/--/10.... (card received 12/30)

    YASSMINE2878 ......09/09/10..........09/15/10.......10/20/10........12/28/10.... (card received 1/03/11)

    ELLA AND MARK......09/10/10..........09/13/10.......10/15/10........12/22/10.... (RFE received 1/11/11)

    ISLAND-GIRL........09/10/10..........09/17/10.......10/22/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 10/14)

    YULIE..............09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/21/10........--/--/--....

    ANNIE & TIM........09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/14/10........12/28/10.... (card received 12/30)

    BENG_AND_CARL......09/13/10..........09/14/10.......11/04/10........01/06/11....

    MASHACO............09/13/10..........09/14/10.......11/12/10........--/--/--....

    GEICO..............09/13/10..........09/16/10.......10/22/10........12/29/10....

    SILVERFAI..........09/13/10..........09/15/10.......10/13/10........12/22/10.... (card received 12/29)

    SOY224CPA..........09/13/10..........09/21/10.......11/09/10........--/--/--.... (Resched. bio, new bio 11/24)(Early Bio 11/10)

    BIAUAS.............09/16/10..........09/23/10.......11/15/10........12/03/10.... (Early Bio 10/29/10)

    TEAM J and B.......09/17/10..........09/20/10.......10/12/10........01/06/11....

    TASH...............09/17/10..........09/21/10.......11/03/10........01/10/11....

    URSA TRIPUDIO......09/17/10..........10/04/10.......10/19/10........01/07/11....

    RICHO_006..........09/18/10..........09/20/10.......11/19/10........01/06/11.... (Early Bio 11/04)

    ELLLA..............09/20/10..........09/21/10.......11/03/10........01/07/11....

    CRAZYSAMURAI.......09/20/10..........09/22/10.......11/01/10........--/--/--....

    GUERITA7...........09/22/10..........09/27/10.......10/29/10........--/--/--....

    TIM & MARICAR......09/23/10..........09/29/10.......11/03/10........01/06/11....

    KIRSTYVQT..........09/27/10..........09/29/10.......11/22/10........12/15/10....

    STOKED.............09/27/10..........09/29/10.......11/22/10........12/15/10....

    FRISCOFLIP.........09/27/10..........10/01/10.......11/12/10........--/--/--....

    NATHAN_NEREN.......09/28/10..........09/30/10.......11/05/10........12/07/10....

    HIKERMARK..........09/29/10..........10/04/10.......11/05/10........01/12/11....

    Vermont Service Center (14 applicants, 6 approved, 43%)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    PRASHP1............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    VIVABAÑOS..........08/30/10..........09/02/10.......09/30/10........12/13/10.... (card received 1/12)

    RARE...............09/01/10..........09/07/10.......10/19/10........12/10/10.... (Early Bio 10/1)

    ZEN DEN............09/03/10..........09/07/10.......10/06/10........12/06/10.... (card received 12/11)

    FILIRICANS.........09/03/10..........09/13/10.......11/01/10........--/--/--....

    ADONIS1............09/03/10..........09/08/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/27)

    DAWNLAKE23.........09/07/10..........09/09/10.......10/06/10........12/08/10....

    GRACEM.............09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/18/10........01/05/11.... (Early Bio 9/29, card received 1/11)

    SANYA & TANYA......09/08/10..........09/10/10.......11/24/10........--/--/--....

    PRINCE.............09/10/10..........09/13/10.......11/23/10........--/--/--....

    CARLOSANDSVETA.....09/20/10..........09/22/10.......11/01/10........12/30/10.... (card received 01/07)

    SPIKESTERUK........09/20/10..........09/21/10.......11/03/10........--/--/--....

    MANISHNYATI........09/24/10..........09/29/10.......10/22/10........--/--/--....

    AMANDA+STEPHEN.....09/27/10..........09/29/10.......12/03/10........--/--/--....

    IMPORTANT!

    * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

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    Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

    NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

    Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

    Approved = The Date your case was approved

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  10. I called USCIS last Friday about this issue.

    The first guy I spoke to immediately recognized it as something he couldn't answer so escalated it to somebody more senior.

    They confirmed that they have had several calls about it and they are still trying to identify what has happened. She confirmed that she can see on my file that they have received my biometrics which is why they don't know why these letters are being sent out.

    Her advice was to send to the service center a copy of the odd NOA and a copy of the ASC receipted biometrics so that the service center can see that the biometrics have been done. That seems sensible advice to me.

    According to my on-line status it still shows "initial review".

  11. I called USCIS last Friday about this issue.

    The first guy I spoke to immediately recognized it as something he couldn't answer so escalated it to somebody more senior.

    They confirmed that they have had several calls about it and they are still trying to identify what has happened. She confirmed that she can see on my file that they have received my biometrics which is why they don't know why these letters are being sent out.

    Her advice was to send to the service center a copy of the odd NOA and a copy of the ASC receipted biometrics so that the service center can see that the biometrics have been done. That seems sensible advice to me.

    According to my on-line status it still shows "initial review".

  12. Today I had my bio at the Phoenix ASC at 2545 E Thomas Rd.

    The building is about 200 yds east of 24th street with a clear sign showing you the side road to go down to get to the car park.

    The whole process was very straightforward and took about 5 minutes. The longest part is taking the finger prints as they have to check and double check each finger.

    So, hopefully there will be no interview request and the next stage will be the 10 year green card in the mail. :)

  13. Updating my Bio date. As it is only two weeks away I am not going to bother doing an early walk in.

    California Service Center (23 applicants)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    MR.G...............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/29/10........--/--/--....

    DO_CSC.............09/01/10..........09/02/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ANTONIO Y OLGA.....09/03/10..........09/07/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--....

    THIRDSJEN..........09/08/10..........09/09/10.......11/04/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 10/13)

    JORDANUSA..........09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/15/10........--/--/--....

    YASSMINE2878 ......09/09/10..........09/15/10.......10/20/10........--/--/--....

    ELLA AND MARK......09/10/10..........09/13/10.......10/15/10........--/--/--....

    YULIE..............09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/21/10........--/--/--....

    ANNIE & TIM........09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/14/10........--/--/--....

    BENG_AND_CARL......09/13/10..........09/14/10.......11/04/10........--/--/--....

    MASHACO............09/13/10..........09/14/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    GEICO..............09/13/10..........09/16/10.......10/22/10........--/--/--....

    SILVERFAI..........09/13/10..........09/15/10.......10/13/10........--/--/--....

    TEAM J and B.......09/17/10..........09/20/10.......10/12/10........--/--/--....

    TASH...............09/17/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    RICHO_006..........09/18/10..........09/20/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ELLLA..............09/20/10..........09/21/10.......11/03/10........--/--/--....

    CRAZYSAMURAI.......09/20/10..........09/22/10.......11/01/10........--/--/--....

    GUERITA7...........09/22/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    TIM & MARICAR......09/23/10..........09/29/10.......11/03/10........--/--/--....

    KIRSTYVQT..........09/27/10..........09/29/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    STOKED.............09/27/10..........10/02/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    HIKERMARK..........09/29/10..........10/04/10.......11/05/10........--/--/--....

    Vermont Service Center (13 applicants)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    PRASHP1............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    VIVABAÑOS..........08/30/10..........09/02/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    RARE...............09/01/10..........09/07/10.......10/19/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 10/1)

    ZEN DEN............09/03/10..........09/07/10.......10/06/10........--/--/--....

    FILIRICANS.........09/03/10..........09/13/10.......11/01/10........--/--/--....

    ADONIS1............09/03/10..........09/08/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/27)

    DAWNLAKE23.........09/07/10..........09/09/10.......10/06/10........--/--/--....

    GRACEM.............09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/29)

    SANYA & TANYA......09/08/10..........09/10/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    PRINCE.............09/10/10..........09/13/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    CARLOSANDSVETA.....09/20/10..........09/22/10.......11/01/10........--/--/--....

    SPIKESTERUK........09/20/10..........09/21/10.......11/03/10........--/--/--....

    MANISHNYATI........09/24/10..........09/29/10.......10/22/10........--/--/--....

    IMPORTANT!

    * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

    * Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

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    Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

    NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

    Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

    Approved = The Date your case was approved

    * Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

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    * If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

  14. Updating for my NOA date.

    California Service Center (23 applicants)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    MR.G...............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/29/10........--/--/--....

    DO_CSC.............09/01/10..........09/02/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ANTONIO Y OLGA.....09/03/10..........09/07/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--....

    THIRDSJEN..........09/08/10..........09/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    JORDANUSA..........09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/15/10........--/--/--....

    YASSMINE2878 ......09/09/10..........09/15/10.......10/20/10........--/--/--....

    ELLA AND MARK......09/10/10..........09/13/10.......10/15/10........--/--/--....

    YULIE..............09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/21/10........--/--/--....

    ANNIE & TIM........09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/14/10........--/--/--....

    BENG_AND_CARL......09/13/10..........09/14/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    MASHACO............09/13/10..........09/14/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    GEICO..............09/13/10..........09/16/10.......10/22/10........--/--/--....

    SILVERFAI..........09/13/10..........09/15/10.......10/13/10........--/--/--....

    TEAM J and B.......09/17/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    TASH...............09/17/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    RICHO_006..........09/18/10..........09/20/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ELLLA..............09/20/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    CRAZYSAMURAI.......09/20/10..........09/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    GUERITA7...........09/22/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    TIM & MARICAR......09/23/10..........09/29/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    KIRSTYVQT..........09/27/10..........09/29/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    STOKED.............09/27/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    HIKERMARK..........09/29/10..........10/04/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    Vermont Service Center (12 applicants)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    PRASHP1............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    VIVABAÑOS..........08/30/10..........09/02/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    RARE...............09/01/10..........09/07/10.......10/19/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 10/1)

    FILIRICANS.........09/03/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ADONIS1............09/03/10..........09/08/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/27)

    DAWNLAKE23.........09/07/10..........09/09/10.......10/06/10........--/--/--....

    GRACEM.............09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/29)

    SANYA & TANYA......09/08/10..........09/10/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    PRINCE.............09/10/10..........09/13/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    CARLOSANDSVETA.....09/20/10..........09/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    SPIKESTERUK........09/20/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    MANISHNYATI........09/24/10..........09/29/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    IMPORTANT!

    * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

    * Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

    * Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

    * Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

    * Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

    Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

    NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

    Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

    Approved = The Date your case was approved

    * Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

    * When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

    * If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

  15. California Service Center (20 applicants)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    MR.G...............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/29/10........--/--/--....

    DO_CSC.............09/01/10..........09/02/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ANTONIO Y OLGA.....09/03/10..........09/07/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--....

    THIRDSJEN..........09/08/10..........09/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    JORDANUSA..........09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/15/10........--/--/--....

    YASSMINE2878 ......09/09/10..........09/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ELLA AND MARK......09/10/10..........09/13/10.......10/15/10........--/--/--....

    YULIE..............09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/21/10........--/--/--....

    ANNIE & TIM........09/11/10..........09/13/10.......10/14/10........--/--/--....

    BENG_AND_CARL......09/13/10..........09/14/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    GEICO..............09/13/10..........09/16/10.......10/22/10........--/--/--....

    SILVERFAI..........09/13/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    TEAM J and B.......09/17/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    TASH...............09/17/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    RICHO_006..........09/18/10..........09/20/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ELLLA..............09/20/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    CRAZYSAMURAI.......09/20/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    GUERITA7...........09/22/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    KIRSTYVQT..........09/27/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    HIKERMARK..........09/29/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    Vermont Service Center (11 applicants)

    VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

    PRASHP1............08/30/10..........09/01/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    VIVABAÑOS..........08/30/10..........09/02/10.......09/30/10........--/--/--....

    RARE...............09/01/10..........09/07/10.......10/19/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 10/1)

    FILIRICANS.........09/03/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    ADONIS1............09/03/10..........09/08/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/27)

    DAWNLAKE23.........09/07/10..........09/09/10.......10/06/10........--/--/--....

    GRACEM.............09/08/10..........09/10/10.......10/18/10........--/--/--.... (Early Bio 9/29)

    SANYA & TANYA......09/08/10..........09/10/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    CARLOSANDSVETA.....09/20/10..........09/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    SPIKESTERUK........09/20/10..........09/21/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

    MANISHNYATI........09/24/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

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  16. I can only comment on the UK. In the UK you can transfer funds to XE using internet banking which for many of the banks now means the Faster Payment System. Hence no wire fees are payable.

    I have been using XE for 18 months or so with good service. The only cost for me transferring the funds from the UK to the US is XE's dealing spread which is built in to their exchange rate.

    Is there some advantage to use xe for money transfer? From what I understand they do not have a EFT withdrawal service available for countries other than the USA and Canada.

    So if you have money in a country like England or India or anyplace other than USA/Canada, the only real option to initiate the transfer is via wire transfer. You have to wire transfer the money from your foreign bank to xe.

    I don't see the advantage of using xe in this case then - because what it means is that you still have to pay for an outbound wire transfer from the foreign bank.

    I am just familiarizing myself with xe - so please let me know if I am missing something.

  17. Long time to reply but I have just done my 2009 FBAR and remembered that this topic had been discussed before.

    You need to file this return on form TD F 90-22.1, which is available on the IRS web site, by June 30 each year. So, the 2009 report needs to be filed by June 30, 2010.

    The report needs to be filed if the total of all your overseas bank accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds etc exceeds $10000 at any time in the year. So, yes it is not very much in total for all the overseas accounts. If the total of all the accounts is $10001 or more than you need to report each individual account.

    The IRS and the government use the information on the report to see if you are declaring all the income that you should be on your US tax returns. Merely filing the FBAR report does not lead to any extra tax or other payments unless the IRS spots that you have declared significant overseas assets on which there does not appear to be any income on your US tax return. If that is the case then the IRS may audit the US tax return.

    $10,000 between all accounts!!! That aint much at all.

    Do we need to report each account then if they all add up to more than $10,000?

    And by reporting them is it just for them to keep track of us or will it mean we will have to pay money here as a result?

  18. I've used XE - www.xe.com loads of times since I moved here in November 2008. I've had good service and the x-rate seems fair. Moving money from the UK to US is a reasonable speed, about 5 days. Recently I've done some transfers back the other way from the US to UK and they take a bit longer, around 11 days. Overall I have been pretty pleased with their service and have an easy web site to use.

  19. I use Wells Fargo. If you open up one of their PMA bank accounts (need total funds of more than $25,000) then you get the first 100 trades each year free of charge and after that $5.95 per trade.

    I find their dealing service pretty good. The research services can be a bit slow and lame at times but that doesn't bother me too much as I use other sources for stock research as AAII, MSN and Yahoo.

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