USA calls, even those in CM, via the IRS.

[chingmai331]

Yes, to all my USA friends here in CM, the April 15 IRS tax filing day is nearly upon us. Easy to apply for 'extension' which will give more time but won't have any bearing on any monies due the IRS. The worst is simply forgetting, or deciding to '<deleted>' em, coz i'm 12K miles from the IRS', and then not filing.

This is not an endorsement of the USGov or any institution but a mere reminder.

[LivinginKata]

Inflammatory post removed.

[Suradit69]

Easy to apply for 'extension' which will give more time

No need to apply. You get an automatic two month extension for filing if you're in residence overseas. You can even delay payments for two months without penalty, but you'll be charged interest.

When to File

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien residing overseas, or are in the military on duty outside the U.S., on the regular due date of your return, you are allowed an automatic 2-month extension to file your return and pay any amount due without requesting an extension. For a calendar year return, the automatic 2-month extension is to June 15. If you qualify for this 2-month extension, penalties for paying any tax late are assessed from the 2-month extended due date of the payment (June 15 for calendar year taxpayers). However, even if you are allowed an extension, you will have to pay interest on any tax not paid by the regular due date of your return (April 15 for calendar year taxpayers).

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad

[Tywais]

As mentioned, June 15 is the deadline for filing if overseas without applying for an extension. However, if any tax is due it must be paid by April 15. Because the last two times I filed after April 15 but did not pay until I filed I did get a penalty and interest for late payment. This year, I paid through an IRS approved payment service to beat the payment deadline as my forms will arrive after the deadline. So I have until June 15 to send them in now without penalty.

[NancyL]

I always take advantage of the involuntary confinement to the condo during April 12-15 to file our income taxes with Uncle Sam, plus the FATCA reporting. Last year, the FATCA reporting took longer than the tax filing.

[CMBob]

Last year, the FATCA reporting took longer than the tax filing.

Really? As long as you know the name and address of your foreign banks, your account number(s), and the highest amounts in the account(s) during the year, I don't think it should take you even 10 minutes to fill out the 8938 form. As for the FBAR reporting (done only online), even quicker.

[NancyL]

The trick was in locating the name and address of the foreign banks, the account number(s), and the highest amounts in the account(s) during the year for every account that Hubby and I have signatory rights, but no ownership rights. This includes accounts for clubs and associations. Since then we've worked very hard to get ourselves removed as having signatory rights from accounts for clubs, groups, associations, etc.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Just a quick anecdote on this subject:

A couple years back, I filed by mailed EMS from Thailand just a week or so prior to the extended mid June deadline for expatriates. And then some months later, much to my surprise, I got a letter back from the IRS telling me I was being penalized for having filed late, which I couldn't understand.

Turned out, when I mailed my documents within the required time, the Thai postal clerk, writing Thai style, wrote or stamped the mailed on date as something like 07/06/12 or 13, meaning June 7... But the folks at the IRS read the stamp American style as July 6, 12 or 13, which it wasn't.

It took a fair amount of explaining and arguing with them over the phone, and a number of repeated conversations, before I finally convinced them that not everyone in the world writes in the month/day/year format as is the American custom.

[chingmai331]

I cover myself by sending paper check to IRS via my USA bank. It's free. The check amount is more than ample but allows me lots of breathing room/time. Last year, mid August, the IRS sent back to me all the money i had sent them. Ain't that sweet.

[Langsuan Man]

I pay my tax due and the dreaded "estimated " taxes online using The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System

Simple to use and I am not dependent upon the Thai postal system

https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/

[Jingthing]

I have a question about this.

Yes expats don't have to file by April 15.

The deadline for filing for expats is two months later -- June 15.

Also you can file an extension form (4868) for a longer extension until about October 15.

Is the longer extension form (4868) due April 15 for expats as well?

In other words, if you're an expat can you file the extension form before June 15 instead of April 15 to get until October?

I checked the IRS website and that wasn't spelled out.

Yes there is still time to file the form 4868 before April 15 but I'd still like to know.

Here is another even NERDIER question!

If you file a form due April 15 and it's April 16 in Thailand but still April 15 in the USA and you date the form April 15, it will be received in the U.S. on April 15, so that's still "on time" right?