Haven't filed taxes in a while...

[gongchime]

I've been living overseas for ten years and have been paying taxes in Korea and Indonesia. I know the IRS likes people to file even though they have my situation but I haven't done it. I'm not a tax protester or anything, just saving the IRS and myself the trouble since I've made squat. I'm ready to file now as one of the writing sites I submit to won't pay me without a 1099. If you haven't filed in a while, what form helps you jump back in? Any other advice also appreciated about taxes and getting paid through Taxi listings.

Thanks,

[t4mh]

Interesting. Maybe I should move overseas Gong! I've paid PLENTY of taxes and not too happy about it over the years. My knee jerk reaction, (I usually have one when I hear "IRS" along with a few other reactions)I'd say let the library send the 1099 and pay your taxes where you live. What's the IRS gonna do to you as long as your planning on staying overseas?

Keith

[mazz]

It seems to me you need to fill out a form which is, I believe, a W9, with the library/publisher, so they can file a 1099 with the IRS and send you the money and then a 1099 at the end of the year. They can't pay you without letting the IRS know that they did, which is where the 1099 comes in. What you do with the money is up to you, but there's an official record that you've been paid, which gets them off the hook if you decide not to file a return or not claim that income on your return if you do file.

I'm no tax expert by far, but if a library pays you more than, I believe 500.00 a year, they have to file a 1099 and send it to you. This would probably be for upfront writing fees or sync fees if you received some, otherwise your PRO would send you a 1099 at the end of the year for any performance royalties you generated and were paid for. In order to get that 1099, you need to have filed that form I mentioned above with whatever entity is paying you.

HTH.

Mazz

PS: This isn't tax advice, just information based on my experience.

[mojobone]

W-9 sounds right to me, as a last resort, you could jes' call the IRS and ask them; their customer service is fairly friendly and helpful, by modern standards.

[simonparker]

1) if ur a us citizen or resident alien, you'd have to fill out a W9, and you'll receive a 1099 for royalties in excess of $500 (though, you could receive a 1099 for anything over $10).

2) If you're a US citizen, the US taxes u on your worldwide income. If you haven't filed a tax return in 10 years, you could be subjected to audit by the IRS on your taxable income for said years, as well as employment tax. The IRS does communicate with/to many foreign taxing authorities (and have reciprocal agreements), so I'd watch your step here. If you have a tax liability in any or all of the years in question, you will owe that amount, plus interest and penalties.

3) Provided you meet certain criteria and are working/living in a foreign jurisdiction, your earned income in those years up to a certain threshold (roughly 70K to 90K depending on the year) would be exempt from US tax. You also have the possibility of utilizing foreign tax credits if you paid taxes in foreign jurisdictions for those years.

4) If you earned under a certain amount of income for a particular year, it's possible you would not have to file a US tax return at all

5) If you lived in a state within the US, have a valid or had a valid driver's license, paid tax in that state while working there at sometime before your move abroad, have a house there, etc., you could be subject to state taxes for all years in question.

Therefore, I strongly suggest you find a tax accountant and devise a game plan as how to best handle your issue.

[jazzstan]

For "Royalties" anything over $10 is reportable on a 1099. That is the rule I follow for my little book publishing company. I mean the company is small -- the books are normal size.

[t4mh]

Good clarification! I thought maybe you sold books for like Barbies or something
Keith