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Author Topic: US Taxpayers filing online  (Read 357 times)

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Online HIDDENTopic starter

  • Steve
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US Taxpayers filing online
« on: March 18, 2010, 11:48:08 PM »
Are there any Americans on this site living in Malaysia who file their taxes online? Please let me know how you do it? Thanks.
Steve
Visit my blog, "Retired in Malaysia" at www.ifoundmalaysia.com

Offline HIDDEN

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Re: US Taxpayers filing online
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2010, 02:14:32 AM »
 Try the link below to file your federal return online: 
www.irs.gov/freefile

For general info about filing just go to: 
www.irs.gov

Hope you server over there allows you access to the sites.  Perhaps the US embassy can assist if you're having troubles or have questions about filing a return while in Malaysia...Jim





Online HIDDENTopic starter

  • Steve
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Re: US Taxpayers filing online
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2010, 04:58:59 PM »
Hi Jim.
Thanks for the info. I have been here a little over a year and a half now. Last year I filed using Turbotax because I had the CD which my friend mailed me. This year I did TurboTax online and had all kinds of problems. First I couldn't use a foreign address, so I used a friend's address back home. Then I couldn't pay because my credit card didn't have a US address. I have used my local card to buy many things from the US and never had a problem. I cancelled my US cards because it was too much of a hassle to use then here. I wrote to TurboTax Customer service and complained. After a couple of exchanges they gave me a code so I could file for free. My other problem was that I am from Massachusetts and you have to have proof of health insurance to file your return. I searched and searched and finally found my old health information and put those codes in. I was fianlly allowed to file. Now I have to wait to see if they were accepted. I used that link you sent me and found  that you have to have a US address to file online. I did contact the US Embassy but they just referred me to the IRS site. There is nothing at all on the IRS site referring to people who live overseas and are retired receiving a pension or SS. They only have info on people who work overseas. I emailed them a few weeks ago about this and I got a nasty reply back about misusing the site. I think next year I will print the forms and fiel by mail. I hate to do that because I owe money and I have to send a check. Now all I have to do is send in my FBAR and hold my breath hoping that my reurns are accepted. Our government really makes it difficult to live abroad with the IRS and the denial of Medicare. I hope you have better luck when you get here.

Steve
Visit my blog, "Retired in Malaysia" at www.ifoundmalaysia.com

Offline HIDDEN

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Re: US Taxpayers filing online
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2010, 11:11:40 PM »
I would recommend you get a US credit card from Citi. When I am over there I have no trouble using my US Citibank Credit Card.  They have a big branch right near the Twin Towers and actually went in there once for some info.  Also, have had no problem whatsoever with my American Fifth Third Bank credit and debit cards.  In fact, the debit card is always accepted for ATM withdrawals (yes, there are minor International Transaction and Currency Conversion fees but no fees from the Malaysian bank).  But I agree with you- it seems your only option is to download the tax forms from the IRS site then mail the stuff back to the US (send return receipt/signature if they have that service over there).  I will follow up and email the IRS about this matter and ask them to try and accommodate folks who reside overseas so they too can file online at no cost.  As an aside, I wonder how the big shots at the US Embassy file their returns?  You might try and email them and ask this question.  They might have some suggestions you're not aware of.  They always reply politely to my concerns ; especially if you're on their mailing list...Jim

Online HIDDENTopic starter

  • Steve
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Re: US Taxpayers filing online
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2010, 11:31:10 PM »
Thanks for the information Jim. I used to have a Citibank Card and every time I used it, it was rejected and I had to call them in the US. I also could not use this address here, as they wouldn't mail statements here even though I told them I didn't want paper statements. They told me if you are only here part of the year it is different than a full time resident here.I know there is a group called American Citizens Abroad who are trying to get the strange banking laws changes to make it easier for us. But you know how Congress works.
Thanks,
Steve
Visit my blog, "Retired in Malaysia" at www.ifoundmalaysia.com

 

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