Internal Revenue Service (U.S. Taxes)

U.S. Income Taxes

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

All U.S. citizens and residents living or traveling outside the United Sates are generally required to file income tax returns in the same way as those residing in the United States. The deadline to file taxes is April 15th.

The Embassy does not have IRS tax forms as all forms can be printed from the IRS website. There is no U.S. Internal Revenue Service representative in Indonesia. The Consular Section is not authorized to accept any forms or filings for U.S. income taxes and will not forward completed returns to the IRS. Should you have taxpayer questions, please consult the IRS website at Internal Revenue Service or call the IRS international Hotline (Monday to Friday from 6AM to 11PM EST) at +1-267-941-1000.

The IRS has a comprehensive tax page, U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad, which is directed to U.S. citizens who reside abroad. This page contains basic tax information that Americans overseas need to know and also includes links to more detailed topics such as the foreign earned income exclusion, foreign tax credit, reporting foreign bank accounts, Fulbright grants, state taxes, and a myriad of others.

For more information on taxes and federal benefits, visit the State Department’s webpage Federal Benefits and Federal Agency Services for American Citizens Abroad.

TAX INFORMATION

To help U.S. citizens abroad preparing for the 2015 tax filing season, the IRS has provided some great guidelines to help understand, extensions, forms, mail options and much more.

Who Must File?

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living or traveling outside the United States, you generally are required to file income tax returns, estate tax returns, and gift tax returns, and pay estimated tax in the same way as those residing in the United States. Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you reside.

Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file an income tax return. Generally, you must file a return if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status in the Filing Requirements table in Chapter 1 of Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad.

When is the 2015 Federal Tax Return Due?

Due date for Form 1040: April 15, 2016

Possible extensions of time to file tax return:

Automatic extension to June 15, 2016, for taxpayers living outside the United States and Puerto Rico. No form is required; write “Taxpayer Resident Abroad” at the top of your tax return.

Caution: This extension applies only for filing your tax return, not for payment. If you owe any taxes, you’re required to pay by April 15, 2016. Interest and penalties generally will be applied if payment is made after this date.

Extension for all taxpayers to October 15, 2016: File Form 4868.

Caution: This extension applies only for filing your tax return, not for payment. If you owe any taxes, you’re required to pay by April 15, 2016. Interest and penalties will generally be applied if payment make after this date.

Other extensions may be available on IRS.gov.

Can I Mail My Return and Payment?

You can mail your tax return and payment using the postal service. If you mail a return from outside the United States, the date of filing is the postmark date. However, if you send a payment, separately or with your return, your payment is not considered received until the date of actual receipt. You may use approved private delivery services. A list of approved delivery services is available on IRS.gov

Can I Electronically File My Return?

You can prepare and e-file your income tax return, in many cases for free. Participating software companies make their products available through the IRS. Many Free File and e-file partners accept a foreign address. E-File options are listed on IRS.gov.

What Forms Might I Need?

How Do I Pay My Taxes?

You must pay your taxes in U.S. dollars.

Direct pay option. You can pay online with a direct transfer from your U.S. bank account using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or by a U.S. debit or credit card. You also can pay by phone using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or by a U.S. debit or credit card.

Foreign wire transfers. If you have a U.S. bank account, you can use: EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System), or Federal Tax Application (same-day wire transfer). If you do not have a U.S. bank account, ask if your financial institution has a U.S. affiliate that can help you make same-day wire transfers.

Foreign electronic payments. International taxpayers who do not have a U.S. bank account may transfer funds from their foreign bank account directly to the IRS for payment of their tax liabilities.

Are There Other Reporting Requirements?

You also may have to file FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), by June 30, 2016.

Does the IRS Provide Help in Other Languages?

The IRS provides tax information in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Go to www.irs.gov and use the drop down box under “Languages” on the upper right corner to select your language.

Where Can I Get Help?

Contact the International Taxpayer Service Call Center by phone or fax. The International Call Center is open Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Tel: 267-941-1000 (not toll-free)
Fax: 267-941-1055

I Received a Notice from the IRS – What Do I Do?

If you receive a notice from the IRS and need to contact the IRS, call the number listed in the notice or the International Taxpayer Service Call Center (contact information is listed in the section above).

Where Can I Get More Information?

For information, see the IRS website about international taxpayers.
For general information about international taxpayers, see Publication 54, Taxation of U.S. Citizens and Residents Abroad.
For information on the Affordable Care Act and taxpayers outside the United States, see Publication 5187, Health Care Law.

I Haven’t Filed All My Tax Returns – What Can I Do?

If you have not filed all the returns that you should have and want to catch up on your filing obligations, see IRS makes changes to offshore-programs.

Do I need an ITIN?
You must obtain an ITIN if:

You do not have an SSN and are not eligible to obtain one. And
You identify with one of the following categories.
• Nonresident alien who is required to file a U.S. tax return.
• U.S. resident alien who is (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return.
• Dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien.
• Dependent or spouse of a nonresident alien visa holder.