Taxes

[Vember]

I remember before I moved to Sweden that I'd read that I would still have to report to the I.R.S. Still, I was surprised to receive a 1040 in the mail yesterday.

According to the consulate's web page,

...all U.S. citizens and Resident Aliens are required to report their worldwide income each year to the U.S. regardless of where they live and work...

Fortunately I broke off my last employment in the US in the year 2003 (December) and did not work in the States after that, so I'm caught up in my filing and income from the US. I also officially moved to Texas before moving to Sweden, which has no state taxes.

All I've earned in my year in Sweden is Aktivitätsstöd (actividy funding) but I am entirely uncertain of the amount. It should not be much more than 29k kronor (roughly 2000 USD), and that's before Swedish taxes were taken out. If one's gross income is under $7,950, according to the 1040 help booklet, they're not required to file. But, reading the quote from the consulate, I am still required to "report" my income ... sounds like the IRS wants something to know what I'm up to over here.

Unfortunately I'm not in Stockholm to attend the hosted seminars giving tax information to US citizens living abroad - so I hope no one minds that I've come here to see if anyone could help me.

So, here's my series of questions:

1) Have any of you (former US residents) filed taxes since you've moved to Sweden? Do you think I should send something?

2) Do you know a good place to check the current exchange rates of the krona-dollar?

3) Do I use the current rate of the dollar to report my total income, or the exchange rate on a certain date (like Jan 1) or a pre-set amount found somewhere online?

4) Since my income came through Arbetsförmedlingen, do I just contact them and ask for an income statement for 2004? I can probably ask my sambo, but he has his parents do his taxes for him so he's not much help in such matters.


Thanks for any answers or comments you might have, oh great reservoirs of knowledge and experience

[Brandy]

Vember, you are always required to report your income, but you only have to pay if you earn more than a certain amount. I believe it is over $70, 000. So go ahead and report it all!

[Vember]

Thanks for the info, Brandy!

Now to get to work finding out what my income even WAS, and calculating the exchange etc. At least I am assured I will not end up having to pay anything on my meagre income ;D

[Beverly]

www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch01.html#d0e527

Here's the information from the IRS -- you don't have to file if your income is below a certain level (there's a table on that page).

[JerseyGirl]

Excellent! Thanks Beverly. I made only around 33000:- last year becasue I work part tme and only started working in August. SO this means I don't have to file. WoO!

[Vember]

Thank you very much Saves me some effort. It would almost cost more than I earned to mail my return! (slight exaggeration, hehe)

With any luck, 2005 will be a different story. I'm still searching for that elusive "good job" though.