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Taxes
A few months ago I had discovered that I had been non-compliant with my American taxes while living in Australia. Yes, even though I do not live nor work in America nor do I get any revenue from America, I still have to do my American taxes. EVERY. YEAR. I was behind on my taxes for 4 years! I panicked and immediately thought I was going to get deported. At any minute, the fuzz was going to bust down my door and arrest me and my family. I had visions of going to jail for tax evasion. Yea, me and Wesley Snipes. I did my research on the internet and cried. Why do accountants speak another language? I tried to locate any accountants in Australia that could do my taxes. I couldn’t find anyone. Finally I was able to find an accountant in the USA that was experienced with doing taxes for and from people overseas. After a lot of email to and fro, and a rather large accountant bill, I am now up to date with my American taxes.
For a couple of months, I was blissfully done with taxes. It is now July and the start of a new financial year for Australia which means now I’m preparing to do my Australian taxes. It’s ridiculous that we have to do 2 sets of taxes. I don’t live in the US and I don’t live in another country just not to pay taxes in the US – I don’t make a lot of money.
I really hope they change the taxation laws soon. I don’t want to do 2 sets of taxes every year for the rest of my life and I don’t want my boys to have to do the same when they’re older.
I came across this video today that explains Citizen vs. Residence based taxation that I thought might be handy for any Americans living abroad. Don’t make the same mistake I did thinking that I didn’t have to do American taxes even though I didn’t live there anymore.
Happy 4th of July! Ignorance or racism or a bit of both
