U.S. Taxes

The IRS has created a new comprehensive tax page on http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=97324,00.html 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. Rather than navigating through www.irs.gov, this page will provide "one stop shopping" for U.S. citizens abroad. The intent is to provide answers to most of their tax questions in one place. The site also provides information on how to contact the IRS to get additional assistance.

Federal Tax Information for U.S. Taxpayers Living Abroad flyers are available in ACS now! It is also downloadable from IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4732.pdf.

A representative from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be providing limited tax assistance to U.S. citizens.  Individuals who wish to use this free service should contact ACS via telephone (8531-4000) or email (amcitbeijing@state.gov) to request an appointment.   Appointment times are available on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Please note that appointment times are limited and will be given on a first come-first served basis. 

Taxpayers with routine return preparation questions may call International Taxpayer Helpline in Philadelphia (Tel: 215-516-2000, open 7 PM – 12 noon Beijing time) or send your tax question to irs.beijing@irs.gov.

Individuals who need tax forms can download them from http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html. Tax forms will also be available for pick up in the ACS waiting room.   Amcits can also send their IRS inquiries via email to irs.beijing@irs.gov.  

For more information on U.S. taxes, please consult the list of websites and telephone numbers below to help find the forms and answers you need.

Main IRS website: www.irs.gov
Tax guidance for U.S. citizens abroad: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=97324,00.html
Tax guidance for persons in the military:  http://www.irs.gov/individuals/military/index.html
Electronic payment website:  http://www.eftps.gov/
Refund information: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html?portlet=4

Phone Services:
Individuals                                            1-800-829-1040
Businesses                                            1-800-829-4933
Customer Service Phone Number               1-215-516-2000
Refund Inquiries                                     1-800-829-4477
TeleTax                                               1-800-829-4477
ITINs after 6 weeks                                1-800-829-1040
Exempt Organization Help Desk                 1-877-829-5500
Tax Offset Program (TOP) Help Desk         1-800-304-3107
E-Services Help Desk                             1-512-416-7750

STATE TAX RETURNS:  For individual state income tax information, visit http://www.taxadmin.org/.  The Embassy does not have state tax forms or state tax information.

How do I contact the IRS?
Taxpayers located outside the U.S. may contact the IRS by mail at:
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 920
Bensalem, PA 19020
Or you may telephone or FAX the Philadelphia Service Center office at:
Tel: 215-516-2000 (not toll-free)
Fax: 215-516-2555
Phone service available from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm (EST) M-F

IRS forms and publications as well as extensive information for taxpayers can be found at the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov.

Can an Embassy officer help me with my taxes?
Embassy Officers are not permitted to give advice on the filing of income tax returns, other than to refer taxpayers to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms and information pamphlets, many of which are available at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Only IRS employees are authorized to provide guidance to individuals on tax matters. Inquiries on tax matters should be directed to IRS. For specific questions on taxes you may email irs.beijing@irs.gov; please allow several days for a reply.

Does the Embassy have tax forms?
Each year, the Embassy receives copies of the most common federal tax forms, plus a CD-ROM with all IRS publications. Please note that we do not carry any state tax forms. You must contact your individual state of residence to obtain those forms.

What if I can't file in time?
Overseas taxpayers are automatically eligible for a two-month extension if they are unable to file their taxes by the April 15 deadline. Simply wrote "Overseas Taxpayer" at the top of your return to claim the extension. Please note that an extension to file does not mean to have an extention to pay. If you owe tax, interest will accrue from the April 15 deadline.

Since I live overseas, aren't I exempt from paying?
Some overseas taxpayers may qualify for the Foreign-Earned Income Exclusion. However, there are strict qualifying criteria. Please consult with the IRS or an accountant to learn if you qualify.