Dear Sir,

I have been working in Russia, but I am an Egyptian national. I am employed by a Russian company, but I am paid my salary partially by this Russian entity, and partially by the US parent company.

I pay the Russian taxes on the money paid in Russia, and the other part had been transferred to Egypt from the US parent company. All my money is transferred to my bank account in Egypt.

Only in Dec I received my L1-A visa so I can work between both USA and Russia, with still expected more time in Russia where the main business is. L1-A had been made in order to retain me for working in both countries freely as a manager.

I have applied for my US social security only in January 2008 and still did not receive it.

As a new comer to the US, with an expected to apply for green card and permanent residency, I need to know what should I be doing in order not to break the tax law. To summarize my questions:

1- I spend most of the year in Russia. What do I owe in taxes to the US?
2- I am on L1-A, just started. When and to whom do I need to claim my taxes?

I am a new comer and have no clue where to start from, and want to avoid breaking the law.

Thanks,
Mahmoud Helmy

Post your question when you actually enter the U.S. and work here. Right now for the U.S. you are a foreign person working in a foreign country, so you don't pay any U.S. tax.

Agreed.