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-   -   US income taxes for an American living in Canada (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=209989)

  • Apr 27, 2008, 06:00 AM
    bluepony
    US income taxes for an American living in Canada
    I have a few questions about my US income taxes this year. I married a Canadian and moved to Canada from the US last August, so I don't qualify for the exclusion through either the bona fide resident or physical presence test. That's fine with me (I made less than $8000 total worldwide last year, so I'm not really taxable anyway), but where on the forms do I report the wages I earned in Canada last fall?

    Also, I'm assuming I'll have to file as married, but my husband doesn't have a SSN or any other US tax identification--he's never lived in the US. Is there a way to say on my tax forms that he's Canadian and has no SSN?

    Thanks for any advice.
  • Apr 27, 2008, 07:36 AM
    MukatA
    You will report wages earned in Canada in the same line as where you will report W2 wages. If you paid any taxes in Canada, then you will file Form 1116 to get foreign tax credit.
    Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Citizen or Resident with Foreign Income

    If you want to file a joint return, then you will attach W7 (ITIN application) with your tax return. You must both report worldwide income for the year.

    If you file separate return (Married Filing Separately), then either attach W7 or rite "nonresident alien' for SSN.
  • Apr 27, 2008, 08:06 AM
    bluepony
    Thanks for the help... is there anything I have to include to prove what my Canadian income was? (Since I obviously don't have a W-2 for it.) Thanks again.
  • Apr 27, 2008, 11:27 AM
    MukatA
    No, you don't attach any document to support your income. You must keep some kind of record (pay slips, bank statements or employer statement) in case the IRS has a question.
  • Apr 27, 2008, 12:14 PM
    The Texas Tax Expert
    Bluepony,

    Re-read the applicable US IRS publication on section 911 exclusion. You clearly don't meet the bona fide residence test for 2007 but the physical presence test is possible depending on the 12 month period you choose.

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