US outland applicants' thread :)

[lawgrrl]

YES, AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO FILE U.S. TAX RETURNS, regardless of where they are living. It's called "citizenship-based taxation" (as opposed to residence-based) and only the U.S. and Eritrea require it of their citizens. This issue is timely, as we're starting to receive tax slips. DanOCan's link to the IRS publication is a good start: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad
Another good source of info is here at the WSJ Expat blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2015/02/23/tax-time-everything-u-s-expats-should-know-about-irs-tax-forms/
There are some FB pages dealing with questions about US taxes for citizens abroad. I had my first year's returns done by a professional (I was working in an accounting office so it was free ) and have done them myself since. H&R Block is making a big push in Canada to prepare US returns; I haven't used them however so can't comment.
There are some really BAD consequences for not complying, so check out the links and good luck!

 

[JamesinCanada]

YES, AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO FILE U.S. TAX RETURNS, regardless of where they are living. It's called "citizenship-based taxation" (as opposed to residence-based) and only the U.S. and Eritrea require it of their citizens. This issue is timely, as we're starting to receive tax slips. DanOCan's link to the IRS publication is a good start: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad
Another good source of info is here at the WSJ Expat blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2015/02/23/tax-time-everything-u-s-expats-should-know-about-irs-tax-forms/
There are some FB pages dealing with questions about US taxes for citizens abroad. I had my first year's returns done by a professional (I was working in an accounting office so it was free ) and have done them myself since. H&R Block is making a big push in Canada to prepare US returns; I haven't used them however so can't comment.
There are some really BAD consequences for not complying, so check out the links and good luck!

What if we are not making any money, we don't have a job, and our spouse (Canadian citizen) declared us as dependent on his Canadian taxes? Last year I've been a visitor to Canada only (no PR yet) and I didn't do any taxes because I didn't make a single dime.

 

[Aquakitty]

What if we are not making any money, we don't have a job, and our spouse (Canadian citizen) declared us as dependent on his Canadian taxes? Last year I've been a visitor to Canada only (no PR yet) and I didn't do any taxes because I didn't make a single dime.

You don't have to file taxes in the US if you make under a certain amount: http://www.efile.com/tax/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return/#income-requirements

That's not the case in Canada, however, filing taxes is mandatory.

 

[ConfusedCouple]

Hi!

I have a quick question. Should I submit a new request for a police clearance (FBI) again? The reason I ask is because I notice a lot of people haven't sent in their fingerprints with their application. I sent my application in Dec 23 with my police clearance which was 3 months old and I know they are good for 6 months? I hope I made sense lol.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Aquakitty]

Hi!

I have a quick question. Should I submit a new request for a police clearance (FBI) again? The reason I ask is because I notice a lot of people haven't sent in their fingerprints with their application. I sent my application in Dec 23 with my police clearance which was 3 months old and I know they are good for 6 months? I hope I made sense lol.

Thanks in advance!

What do you mean by fingerprints? But no you do not have to send in another police certificate.

 

[smr21]

Hi!

I have a quick question. Should I submit a new request for a police clearance (FBI) again? The reason I ask is because I notice a lot of people haven't sent in their fingerprints with their application. I sent my application in Dec 23 with my police clearance which was 3 months old and I know they are good for 6 months? I hope I made sense lol.

Thanks in advance!

Confused Couple - how long did it take for the FBI to process your fingerprints? Their website says several months! My partner (dual citizen Canada - US) and I are planning to move to Canada in August and my FBI report is the final piece of our application. I'm worried that it will delay the application, and hoping that I can stay in Canada on a tourist visa for the remainder of time it takes to get my PR card. Would love to know how long it took for yours (or anyone else's) to arrive.

Thanks!

 

[ladyex13]

OMG!! I got DM this morning! I just checked again on Ecas just to make sure and yep it's DM. When i log in nothing has changed though. No ghost email no letter nothing. Very strange. Although we sent everything in at the beginning, FBI report, payments, pics and everything else. Our VO is Ottawa and we started our process in Aug 28.

 

[Decoy24601]

Confused Couple - how long did it take for the FBI to process your fingerprints? Their website says several months! My partner (dual citizen Canada - US) and I are planning to move to Canada in August and my FBI report is the final piece of our application. I'm worried that it will delay the application, and hoping that I can stay in Canada on a tourist visa for the remainder of time it takes to get my PR card. Would love to know how long it took for yours (or anyone else's) to arrive.

Thanks!

It's taking about 18 weeks to arrive for people. I'm about to hit the 16th week of waiting to have mine processed and am waiting impatiently for my credit card to be charged. The website says 13-15 weeks, but it seems like it's been taking at least 15. You can submit your application without the FBI clearance as long as you write a note explaining that due to the high processing times, you will submit it when you have it.

 

[Abuelita]

OMG!! I got DM this morning! I just checked again on Ecas just to make sure and yep it's DM. When i log in nothing has changed though. No ghost email no letter nothing. Very strange. Although we sent everything in at the beginning, FBI report, payments, pics and everything else. Our VO is Ottawa and we started our process in Aug 28.

Congratulations!! That was fast! You probably will be getting an email very soon.

 

[ladyex13]

Congratulations!! That was fast! You probably will be getting an email very soon.

Yes it was fast although it seemed like forever! lol I have to say to ev1 in here that this forum is what kept and still keeps me sane. To have others going through the same thing and be able to speak to ev1 in here is awesome! Thanks to all the seniors b/c without you we'd all be lost!! Good luck to ev1 else and let's keep praying that you all get your dm's very soon.

 

[CharisseyB]

Yes it was fast although it seemed like forever! lol I have to say to ev1 in here that this forum is what kept and still keeps me sane. To have others going through the same thing and be able to speak to ev1 in here is awesome! Thanks to all the seniors b/c without you we'd all be lost!! Good luck to ev1 else and let's keep praying that you all get your dm's very soon.

I agree with you! CONGRATULATIONS!!! It’s such a great feeling when you finally see that DECISION MADE on the applicant eh?! Everyone her has been very helpful in keeping me sane and I really appreciate every single wisdom that we impart each other. Such a nice feeling that someone actually understands what you are going through and to be genuinely concerned for you- and your sanity that is!!! ;D ;D ;D

 

[ConfusedCouple]

What do you mean by fingerprints? But no you do not have to send in another police certificate.

Sorry, when I said fingerprints I meant PC. I only asked, because I was told PC doesn't expire for 6 months and I wondered if it expires during the application process?

 

[Aquakitty]

Sorry, when I said fingerprints I meant PC. I only asked, because I was told PC doesn't expire for 6 months and I wondered if it expires during the application process?

Are you living in the US? If not, it doesn't expire.

 

[triple p]

Yay! Law firm received an email today to send in 2 new photos. Everything is confirmed now, right? I do not have to worry about expired medicals. She stated it would take LA about 3-4 weeks to process as well as mailing time. I am so excited

 

[triple p]

Oh yeah! The email stated they included the new photo specifications, but they did not attach anything. What are the new photo specifications? Is there anything else we should be aware of that would have been in the supposed attachment?