[Info411]

I need to find out what trouble I am in. I left America 6 years ago and have been in Asia teaching English since then. I have not filed any tax returns at all.

In addition, when I left I think I may have had approx $3500 owed in taxes for work I did as a contractor. I never filed before I left.

I have decided it is time for me to come back to America and take care of this now, and want to make sure I will not be thrown in jail for tax evasion before I return.

Thanks for any advice.

[MukatA]

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident you must file all your unfiled tax returns if your income exceeded the filing limit.
To be safe file all the tax returns before returning back. On most of the returns, you may not owe any taxes.
Since you are an employee in a foreign country for such a long period, you may be eligible to file Form 2555-- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Your unexcluded income may be less than the taxable amount.
Read this:
Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Citizen or Resident with Foreign Income

[Info411]

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I am an American citizen by birth.

I am not sure how I can file tax returns before I return at this point as I don't have any paycheck documentation from any of the schools I taught English at, and I don't have a way of getting it either since I do not live near those schools anymore and they don't really speak English. (ie I can't just call them on the telephone and ask for it). All I have ever really gotten for a pay stub is a Microsoft Word print out showing my pay and deductions. I have never received any tax W-2s or what have you and have also never filed taxes in Asia.

What would I file?

I have worked about 5 years in S. Korea making between $25,000 and $31,000 per year. I also worked in Thailand for 1 year and made about $18,000.

I'm at a total loss as to how I would produce documentation to file taxes other than the Word print out paystubs (which thankfully I saved most of them and still have them).

[MukatA]

After proof of your foreign income, you don't attach any document with your tax return. Only if IRS questions you, then you have to show the records. It can be bank statement, pay check stubs of employer and/or statement from employer.
Before you leave the foreign country try to collect as much information as you can.

[Info411]

After proof of your foreign income...

Hi, thanks for the reply again.

What is this "proof of foreign income"?

I have no official W-2 tax type of forms like you get in America. None of the schools I worked for ever gave me anything like that. The only documents I have showing what I made are some Microsoft Word pay stubs and I still have my bank books showing the monthly salary deposits for 5 of the 6 years. Would this be enough?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

The last paystub for each year that shows your accrued earned income for the year is adequate proof of your earned income for that year.