Re: US citizen living abroad -- filing US tax return.

Still, would filing zero income be awfully wrong? Unnecessary
maybe but I'd rather tell IRS that I don't work and live on my
husband's salary now than answer their inquiries later.

You're not required to file but there is no harm in filing a zero return.
Just don't put any comments or entries on the return that the IRS might
misconstrue as frivolous or tax-protester like.


By the way, my husband didn't obtain the "sailing permit" before he
departed the US. But he filed the return for that year later as if he
was still in the US, so he doesn't owe anything to the IRS for certain
(he even received a refund). Is that going to be a problem? If yes,
can we do anything about it now?

I doubt the authorities will refuse him reentry. In my opinion it's a good
idea to order a transcript of that year's tax return. IRS does not charge
for transcripts. You can use IRS Form 4506-T (see the pasted link below).
I think it's unlikely that USCIS will even ask him about his tax compliance
but if and when they do he can show them the transcript.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf


Frederick Lorca


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