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Tom

Jun 24, 2003, 3:09 PM

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Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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We are moving to Mexico in November so next spring will be my first time having to do my taxes from afar. I have made all of my finiancial affairs electronic for income and outflow as far as possible, and if I can find a copy of TaxCut in Mexico, I should have no problem (filing electronically just like home) ...... but can I buy one?

Rolly

Jun 24, 2003, 4:47 PM

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Re: [Tom] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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For the past three years, I have used the on-line version of Turbo Tax. Easy to do.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
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johanson

Jun 24, 2003, 5:47 PM

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Re: [Tom] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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And remember when you are living abroad your taxes are not due on April 15 (April 30th Canada) rather those paying US taxes can file an extension and not have to file until I believe August 15th. Estimated taxes are still due on April 15th and if what you pay on the 15th isn't close to what is ultimately determined to the amount owed, you are subject to a fine.

Disclaimer. I am not a tax expert. I would highly recommend you seek the advise of a tax expert on these matters

Brian

Jun 24, 2003, 6:22 PM

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Re: [Rolly] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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Rolly

I was under the impression that e-filing could only be done within the United States. Do you file electronically or only prepare the return online? Thanks

Brian

jrice

Jun 25, 2003, 8:40 PM

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Re: [johanson] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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An automatic exemption is granted until June 15. You are supposed to file a brief note with your return claiming that exemption and explaining that you were out of the country. (why, i have no idea, since you are likely to be claiming a foreign earned income exemption and any ape with an IQ over 10 would
think, "Hey, he might be abroad!") In any event, it's a very simple note.

If you want to delay until August -- which is useful in the first year if you are using the famed "physical presence test" and need to amass the qualifying days before filing, you need to get a formal IRS form (or download it) and file it by either april or june 15 (can't recall, but try april). Also very easy.

The IRS web site has all the forms. So does the embassy and presumably so do the consulates.

Papirex

Jun 25, 2003, 9:18 PM

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Re: [Brian] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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I too prepare and file my taxes from Mexico using TurboTax. I do maintain a US address, it is my daughters home address. Since I have no Mexican income, bank account, or property, it is the best way to go for me. I have never looked for , or noticed anything in the TurboTax program concerning any prohibition to filing from a foriegn country. There may be one though, I just haven't looked for it.

In the June 20, 2003 edition of the English language Newspaper "The Herald" published in Mexico City, there is an article in the financial section about a proposed law extending the filing deadline for efilers 15 days, until April 30 each year. It is intended to encourage filing taxes electronically.

So far, it has passed The House of Representatives 252-170. It still has to pass in The Senate, and be signed by The President if it passes there.

As you could expect, the tax preparation companies are complaining that most people don't know how to prepare their own taxes. Changing the filing deadline for some taxpayers but not all, will just confuse them even further. I think they believe that even if a few of us do manage to stumble through, and prepare our own taxes, that we would never be able to understand the compexities of the calendar.

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

Jun 25, 2003, 10:13 PM

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Re: [Tom] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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Quote

tom writes:
....and if I can find a copy of TaxCut in Mexico, I should have no problem (filing electronically just like home) ...... but can I buy one?

In addition to the web-based versions mentioned by Rolly, both H&R Block's TaxCut and rival Intuit's TurboTax are available as standalone programs which can be purchased, downloaded, and directly installed on your computer as if you had the CD in hand. I don't know if the downloaded version of TurboTax comes with talking head tax advisor video clips, but personally I've always found them annoying and don't use them even when provided.

johanson

Jun 25, 2003, 10:15 PM

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Re: [jrice] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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Thanks for the input. I should probably learn how to do this all myself. I used to years ago. I just blindly follow the advise of my CPA who just sent me a bill today for $935 US and that was for 6 hours and 10 minutes. He actually gives me a good deal and charges for fewer hours than actually worked.

I know that he sent an extension form in for me. He completed my taxes and I filed this year on May 15th but was told that I had until August 15th.

Here I am supposed to be a technical advisor and I'm learning more than I'm giving. My field is not taxes.

Rolly

Jun 26, 2003, 2:43 PM

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Re: [Brian] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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Brian,

I am not aware of any restriction on where you may or may not file on-line. I e-file every year and have my refund directed deposited in my US bank. I use my sister's address in Texas only because I don't trust the Mexican postal service to deliver any mail that might come from Uncle Sam.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Brian

Jun 26, 2003, 7:21 PM

Post #10 of 14 (735 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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thanks Rolly...somewhere in the back of my mind I thought that e-filing couldn't be done by California refugees...it seems like I had to mail in the return to Sacramento. My past tax records are in San Miguel and I am currently in Baja or I could have checked this myself. Thanks again.

Brian

Rolly

Jun 26, 2003, 7:45 PM

Post #11 of 14 (729 views)

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Re: [Brian] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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You might be right about California taxes, I don't know. I file with a Texas address because Texas doesn't have a state income tax like CA where I used to live.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

jerezano

Jun 26, 2003, 7:54 PM

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Re: [RexC] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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Hello, I have also used TurboTax for six years now. Back in 1996 I had to file a hard copy because as I recall, there was no provision to insert the proper prefixes to reach the TurboTax Center telephone number in the USA.

As the years passed they made improvements and yes, we can file directly from here to the USA. TurboTax this last year included a free filing ticket with the disk. However, if they do not include one this coming year, it only costs something like $15 dollars to forward the return to them, they check it and then forward it on to the IRS. They then charge it to your credit card. Locked circuit connections. Safe as talking to your bank.

I can't recommend not filing by the deadline. As I understand it, if you owe, you still have to make an estimate and pay that amount by the deadline, so why not just go ahead and file? You get out from under and can enjoy life during the summer instead of worrying.

The only problem I run into is that of the W2. It goes to my mail drop in the USA, as do most of the misc income forms. However, nowadays almost everything is mailed by the end of February so a trip to my mail drop in mid-March gives me the information I need. If something else is missing I can usually get it by email or by fax.

I haven't tried the web page for TurboTax, but I imagine it works well except for the extra time on line.

Good luck. Jerezano.

Don

Jun 26, 2003, 8:48 PM

Post #13 of 14 (720 views)

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Re: [Tom] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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I too use Turbo Tax to file my income tax. I have my W-2 forms sent to me here in Mexico. I have filed 4 times now without a hitch and file by April 15th. I mail in the hard copy. I send it by Mexico Express to my daughter or son. I already have it in the envelope with a stamp and they drop it in the mailbox. I also get the tax booklet from the government in my mail here, if I want to hand fill out their forms.

Rolly

Jun 27, 2003, 12:59 PM

Post #14 of 14 (690 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Doing USA taxes in Mexico.

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Jerezano, if your W-2s are not being mailed until the end of February, you need to complain. The law says they must be in the mail no later than 31 Jan. I ran my own business for a bunch of years and often had to scramble to get them out on time.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook