T1000

Google Voice (free to any US number)

Skype (free to call 1-800 numbers)

13 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

nothing to do with claiming non-resident status, by which i mean using the NR forms for aliens.  don't us citizens file as "resident" with standard 1040's regardless of physical location?

 

fill out the normal 1040, attach a 2555 to report foreign income and claim the exclusion of up to around $100K.

 

**just checked my 2555, use is restricted to "For Use by U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Only"**

 

then get $12K standard deduction for short term gains, and up to around $40K non-taxed long term gains depending on income.

 

i didn't know it was possible for citizens to file the NR forms.

please don't tell me i've been filing out the wrong forms all these years!!!

(1040, sched B, sched D, 8949's, 2555)

Yep. Just checked my records... I was filing 1040 + 2555 + some other forms (foreign accounts, etc) back then. 

3 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

was that on advice from hr department or irs office, or did you choose the form yourself because you were not currently residing in the us?

 

pretty sure the "resident" part of the title of the tax form refers to whether an alien has a green card or significant portion of the year within the usa.  i think resident aliens pay tax on worldwide income, nonresident pay only on us sourced income......but i could be worng.

If you have a foreign income the question of your residence will inevitably pop up. If you can claim yourself a nonresident you can take advantage of 'foreign income exclusion' to avoid overpaying.  And I had to make sure I was accurately reporting my income (in case of being audited by IRS) since I was planning on wiring that money back into US.

14 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

i believe resident and non-resident filing only applies to aliens.  as you are a us citizen you would file the normal 1040 form.

 

~10 years ago I worked in EU for a US company as a US citizen. I was filing as a nonresident. Form 1040NR if I remember correctly. 

35 minutes ago, mogandave said:

Do you have foreign bank account(s)?

 

Under $10K combined ? Don't need to report.

P.S. Debit/Credit cards from Capital One (good exchange rate, no maintenance/annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, foreign ATM fee reimbursement, 1.5% cashback on every purchase) make large foreign accounts unnecessary (in my case).

I guess,  I wasn't clear enough. My question is NOT whether I should or shouldn't file. I know I have to file Federal and no State (my mailing address is in WA = no state income tax) return. 

I know there will be no difference in my final tax. Capital gain = gain - loss, regardless of my residence, since IRS views me as a "US person" no matter where I live. I have no foreign income and have nothing to hide from IRS. It's just much more convenient to use my US mailing address instead of temporary and unreliable foreign addresses. I am just wondering if I am violating any tax law here providing my US address on my tax forms = claiming to be a US resident when I am actually not.

I live overseas on my investments and I do not have any foreign income to report. I move every few months, therefore I do not have a steady foreign address to report on my 1040. Last year I used my US mailing address to file my US capital gain income. I have checked with the TurboTax software and found out the residence status would make no difference in terms of the tax. Is it safe to continue to file as a US resident, or should I file as a non-resident?

The ED visa with the school fees will cost you around 12 to 25 k.

Can you please point me in the right direction where I can get a 1-year ED visa for 12K? I keep seeing around $1K for a year long tuition and visa fees.

Immigration gets an alert at 6 entries.

Over what period of time? I am sure I have got that many since my first trip many years ago, but have never been asked a single question. Is there any 'out of county' time that resets the count? Perhaps a new passport gives a new life? Please clarify.

I was not suggesting entering and leaving Thailand with a different passport. I was talking about swapping passports when applying for a visa to create 3 or 6 months visa gaps in each passport.

Yes, exactly. If you alternate them at each consulate, they will perceive a 'break' in your time in Thailand, thereby increasing the number of visas you can get. Done right, each passport would show you spend 6 mo in Thailand and 6 mo elsewhere. I am envious of your situation.

Thanks. Not quite clear why would I need to go to a different consulate?

That info is out of date. Since November of 2013 those from G7 countries get a 30 day entries at border crossings.

See the remarks at the bottom of this page for accurate info. http://www.consular.go.th/main/th/customize/62281-Summary-of-Countries-and-Territories-entitled-for.html

Good to know. Thanks!

There is a difference for getting visa exempt entries between your passports. Using your US passport you can extend a 30 day visa exempt entry for 30 days at immigration. For Russia you get a 30 day entry from a bilateral agreement and it cannot be extended for 30 days.

It can be extended for 7 days. Not a good option though... On the other hand, US citizens are getting only a 15-day stamp if arriving by land while Russians are permitted for 30 days. Russian citizens can travel to Laos visa-free. Therefore, both passports have their advantages but neither one is perfect for that matter. Visa appear to be a much better option.

Why would a US citizen only get 15 days if entering by land?

US is part of G7.

I saw it here:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/thai-visas-for-americans.html

...I am just wondering if Thai immigration would treat me as two different persons, and if they will be OK with it...

Immigration will not treat a dual Russian/US citizen as two different person.

Immigration will allow you to use both passports, with the condition that you always leave Thailand with the same passport you used to enter the country.

I was not suggesting entering and leaving Thailand with a different passport. I was talking about swapping passports when applying for a visa to create 3 or 6 months visa gaps in each passport.

There is a difference for getting visa exempt entries between your passports. Using your US passport you can extend a 30 day visa exempt entry for 30 days at immigration. For Russia you get a 30 day entry from a bilateral agreement and it cannot be extended for 30 days.

It can be extended for 7 days. Not a good option though... On the other hand, US citizens are getting only a 15-day stamp if arriving by land while Russians are permitted for 30 days. Russian citizens can travel to Laos visa-free. Therefore, both passports have their advantages but neither one is perfect for that matter. Visa appear to be a much better option.

Thanks.

I am a genuine tourist who doesn't plan on seeking employment or getting engaged in any business activities, therefore I see no contradiction between the type of visa I am inquiring about and my real goal to stay in Thailand. I am just wondering if Thai immigration would treat me as two different persons, and if they will be OK with it.

I am not going to be eligible for a retirement visa for another decade, unless they lower the retirement age, and I am not considering marrying a Thai woman at this time.

I'd define long term as 12 - 18 months for starters...

METV involves a lot of bureaucracy, such as a proof of employment I can't provide (My income is investments/capital gain). The METV processing is $200 vs $40. And last but not least, since METV still requires a border run after 60 + 30 days, I see no advantages of 1x METV vs 2x SETV.

I am guessing, I am not an "elite" fan of Thailand to pay THB 500K for a 5 year visa. ED visa would be a much cheaper option, and although it's not the subject of this discussion, one can get a permanent unconditional residency in, say, Panama and other South/Latin America locations for half the price. In my opinion it's just not worth it...

I am a citizen of Russia and the USA. Thailand has the same single entry visa procedures/requirements for the nationals of both counties. What would be the best strategy to stay in Thailand long term? The first that comes to mind is (60 days + 30) with my US passport, then (60 days + 30) with my Russian passport and so on... Does it sound like a reasonable approach? Any other ideas?

Thanks!