American Tax And Forms

For many of us the phrase “income tax” might cause feelings of discomfort and maybe even fear that stem from the complex unpleasant task of facing the tax authorities. Thus, the thought alone of the need to submit a detailed and legally binding tax report can seem like a dreadful mission for most of us.

Those things are all the truer when it comes to dealing with U.S. tax authorities: the unique taxation system, the various kinds of forms, the complexity of procedures, and strict enforcement all add to the confusion and raise the pressure. In the article below we clarify things– who must report?

What should the report include? When should the report be filed? What are the consequences of failing to report? And who could benefit from the report?

 

Who must file a report?

First, it is important to emphasize that a distinction must be made between the obligation to report income and the obligation to pay income tax: the obligation to report applies regardless of the obligation to pay tax so that even a taxpayer who is not liable to pay tax must file a full income tax return.

The subservience to this reporting obligation is very broad. Unlike most countries in the world that require reporting according to the criteria of residency as well as the nature of the economic activity, the American taxation system is personal and does not distinguish between employees who receive a salary and self-employed.

Thus, in terms of taxes, residence within the United States does not matter: any U.S. citizen or permanent resident (holder of a green card) – even if they do not live in the United States and have never visited it, must provide the conditions listed below, in the IRS report.

In addition, even those who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must report to the tax authorities if they have a source of income within the United States boundaries – direct or indirect.

U.S. citizens and green-card holders may, under certain conditions, owe an additional reporting obligation – reporting foreign accounts owned by them (exclusively or jointly).

 

Subordination to the U.S. Taxation System

The applicability of the U.S. taxation system:

U.S.A Citizens – U.S.A Citizens who live abroad or within the United States boundaries

Green card holders – Permanent residents (green card holders)

Foreign citizens – Foreign citizens who conduct business within the united states such as real estate investments, companies etc.

 

How do you report taxable income?

As we have seen, this duty applies to many different cases, and in each case, the reporting process will be executed in a different manner:

 

U.S. citizens and green-card holders

The IRS report must be filled out using form 1040. These taxpayers may also be required to file an FBAR report on foreign accounts.

 

Citizens of foreign countries

Citizens of foreign countries with business activities in the United States must submit an income tax report through form 1040NR.

In the following segment, we will describe the significance of each of the above reports.

 

Income Tax Report – Form 1040

According to U.S. taxation laws, any U.S. citizen or permanent resident holding a green card that passes the annual income threshold set by law must file an income tax report.

As for self-employed, any income over $400 establishes a reporting obligation. However, for employees, the taxation system determines different income thresholds that establish a reporting obligation, all given the personal status of the reporter.

Thus, there are different thresholds for single people (including widowers and divorcees without children), married people who report together, married couples who report separately, heads of households (individuals who support dependent people), and widowers with children in the first two years of the death of their spouse.

In general, the method facilitates (that is sets higher thresholds), on married people who report together, heads of households, widowers with children in the early years after their partner’s death, and sets better terms for people over the age of 65 and for the blind. With the rest of the people, the thresholds are lower.

The following table will show the short income thresholds, but due to the complexity of the reporting rules we recommend consulting individually with a professional:

Therefore, if the individual’s annual income exceeds these thresholds, he has a reporting obligation to the IRS. This tax report will be submitted to the IRS, using form 1040.

In addition to personal information this form includes a comprehensive income statement. The applicant must report all sources of revenue – active or passive – whether produced in the United States or abroad.

Including income from work wages, social security allowances, pensions, income from private businesses, dividends, interest, etc. The form also includes details regarding possible tax deductions, and an informative part aimed at disclosure of information regarding separate legal entities owned by the report submitter.

 

Reporting foreign accounts – FBAR

In an effort to monitor the economic activity of its citizens outside the country’s borders, the United States has imposed an additional reporting obligation on its citizens – the obligation to report foreign accounts.

Contrary to the obligation to report to the IRS – a duty that depends on meeting the income thresholds described above, this reporting obligation will arise if the following cumulative conditions are met:

1. U.S. Citizen / Green Card Holder / Company or Partnership or Independent Business established within the United States or under U.S. laws.

2. The sum of total financial accounts the same entity owns/partners or is authorized to sign on exceeds $10,000 at any point in time during that tax year.

For this matter, financial accounts: checking accounts, deposits, and savings, pension funds, securities portfolios, executive insurance, provident funds, study funds, life insurance with a savings component.

For example, an Israeli citizen who lives in Israel and who has a green card will be required to file the FBAR report to the U.S. Treasury Department and list accounts he holds in Israel if at some point of the year the value of the accounts passed the $10,000 threshold.

The same Israeli citizen will have to submit, in parallel with the American tax authorities, an income tax report using form 1040, detailing all his income.

It should be noted that the United States has signed an information-sharing agreement with several countries, including Israel, on an information-sharing agreement, in which the Israeli Tax Authority reports to the American Tax Authority (assisted by banking corporations operating in the country), American citizens and/or those holding green cards who have accounts in Israel.

Given that the information is shared, reporting inaccurately, or failing to report – may result in severe sanctions.

 

Federal Income Tax Reporting for Foreign citizens – 1040NR

Unlike U.S. citizens and green-card holders who report their income through Form 1040, foreign citizens who have any financial activity in the United States are required to report their income to the tax authorities through form 1040NR.

This form also requires a comprehensive report on income in the United States – whether active income (for example – rent on real estate in the United States or income from self-employment in the country) or passive income (for example – dividends).

 

When should the report be filed?

U.S. citizens or green card holders must file the IRS reports using form 1040 by the 15 of April of the following tax year. If the citizens or green card holders do not live in the United States, an automatic extension is given to the submission of the report, so that it can be submitted by the 15 of July.

In both cases, an extension request can be submitted by filling out Form 4868. If the request is received, the report could be submitted by the 15 of October.

Individuals who are not U.S. citizens but who have financial activity within the United States will submit their income tax report through form 1040NR by the 15 of July.

Companies will file the report by the 15 of March or if given a special extension until the 15 of October.

Filing reports of the existence of foreign accounts under FBAR is synchronized to file the tax reports, so it must be submitted by 15.4, and given a special extension until 15.10.

Submitting reports on the existence of foreign accounts under FBAR is synchronized with the submission of tax returns, so it must be submitted by the 15 of April and given a special extension until the 15 of October.

Does reporting in the United States mean paying double on taxes?

No.

First, in light of the fact that the taxation method includes a developed system of deductions and credits, it is not certain that there will be a tax liability. Thus, there is a standard deduction system and an individual deduction system that addresses specific circumstances.

When filling out the forms those deductions will be addressed.

Second, in order to avoid a situation in which taxpayers would be charged full income tax for the same income in two different countries, the State of Israel has signed a double tax treaty with the United States.

This means that tax paid in one country will be deducted from the tax owed on the same income in the other country. As the tax paid in one country is lower than the tax owed in the other country, the taxpayer will have to make up and pay the gap in the other country.

As the tax paid is higher than the tax in the other country, the taxpayer will be able to receive an excess tax credit which can be carried back one year and up to ten years ahead.

 

Who can expect a tax refund?

Beyond tax deductions, the U.S. taxation system also allows even tax returns to be received, even though the application was not taxable for that year. The main tax credits are a tax credit for children, a tax credit for academic studies, and a tax credit for low incomes.

Thus, it is possible, for example, that an Israeli citizen with additional U.S. citizenship will be owed a report to the IRS and the Treasury Department, and even though he will not be charged income taxes, he will be entitled to receive a tax credit for his children.

Beyond tax deductions, the American taxation system also allows for tax refunds even if the taxpayer was not required to pay tax for that specific tax year. The main tax credits are tax credits for children, tax credits for academic studies, and tax credits for low income.

Thus, it is possible, for example, that an Israeli citizen with an additional American citizenship will be required to submit a report to the IRS and to the Ministry of Finance. In this case, might do not owe income tax but is entitled to a tax credit for his children.

 

Tax credit for children

U.S. citizens whose children also hold U.S. citizenship may be eligible for a tax refund of up to $1,000 a year per child, depending on their income level.

 

Tax credit for academic studies

American citizens can receive a tax refund of up to $1,000 a year for undergraduate expenses at a recognized academic institution, all depending on their age and income level.

 

Tax credit for low income

American citizens who have lived for the past six months in the United States are eligible under certain conditions and, depending on their income, to receive a tax refund for low incomes.

 

What are the consequences of failing to report?

In order to ensure the accuracy of the reported information to the tax authorities and the full and timely payment of tax fees, the United States government has imposed heavy sanctions for those who fail to report.

The annual interest rate on unpaid tax is about 6%. Furthermore, failure to file the report on time carries fines of up to 25% of the tax rate. Inaccuracy in the reporting also entails a fine, at a rate of about 20% of the tax liability.

In addition, not paying income tax on time also entails approximately 0.5% of the original tax liability. The accumulative amount of these fines can reach large amounts. Those who owe significant amounts of money risk revocation of their U.S. passport.

The lack of FBAR reporting to the U.S. Treasury Department also leads to heavy fines and penalties – up to $10,000 per account.

It should be noted that if a U.S. citizen did not report because there was no deadline, he or she could not resolve the lack of reporting through the use of a voluntary disclosure procedure.

 

Summary

The tax reporting obligation in the United States is extremely extensive. It applies to both American citizens who do not live on its territory, and to foreign nationals who generate income on its territory.

The reporting rules are strict and complicated, and the sanctions that apply for non-compliance are quite severe. However, knowing the rules may simplify the process, and even yield profits.

Wondering whether you should report? Finding it difficult to fill out the forms? Want to check if you are eligible for tax credits? Our experienced and professional staff will be happy to be at your service.