The Tax Deadline for Americans Abroad is Approaching!
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By Darla Tierney
- Jun 13th, 2012
- TaxTip
Did you qualify for the automatic two-month tax filing extension in April? If you’re a U.S. citizen living and working abroad and received the extra time to file, your June 15th deadline is just around the corner.
Remember: beginning with tax year 2011, the new Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) also may need to be submitted with tax returns. This form may include information reported on the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts foreign bank account reporting form (FBAR), which still must be sent to the Department of Treasury by June 30. Form 8938 also requests information about ownership interests in foreign business entities and securities maintained outside of an account.
Any United States citizen or resident with an ownership interest in or signature authority over foreign financial accounts must file an FBAR if the combined value of all foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year. Bank accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, trusts and other types of foreign investments will typically need to be reported.
Other quickie tips for taxpayers eligible to file June 15:
- Attach a statement to the tax return explaining how they qualify for the June 15 filing deadline
- Submit Schedule B to report foreign accounts
- Submit tax filing extensions to make their filing date Oct. 15 if they are not able to file an accurate return by June 15
- While penalties are not assessed, interest accrues on any balance due from the April 18 filing deadline even though they qualify for the filing extension.
Need some last-minute help? We’re here to support you. In addition to the 4,000 H&R Block offices open year-round, H&R Block At Home and Block Live are just a few clicks away.
[Image: photographer padawan *(xava du) via Flickr]
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