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Filing taxes is a standard activity within the tax systems of most countries. Often, this is necessary because taxes are not automatically deducted from the income or business activities carried out by citizens.
Who must file taxes in the United States?
In the United States, everyone must pay their share of **taxes**, but the requirements depend on many factors, such as employment type, income level, marital status, and age, among others.
While there is a certain income threshold below which it may not be necessary to file a federal tax return, it is important to remember that retirement or disability income is subject to taxation. Furthermore, taxpayers may face penalties if they fail to file their taxes.
In the case of a dependent, such as a taxpayer's child, the tax return is filed through the parents.
Natives
U.S. citizens, even if they are living abroad, must file income, estate, and gift tax returns and pay estimated taxes in the same way as those residing in the U.S.
**Gross income** is one of the taxes that the vast majority of workers must pay. This includes all income received in the form of money, goods, property, and services.
Foreigners
For foreigners who have obtained permanent residency in the United States, the same tax filing rules apply, as they live and work on U.S. soil.
In the case of a person who does not yet have residency or a Green Card, they may choose whether to be treated as a U.S. citizen for tax purposes to contribute and secure their future.
Resident foreigners can and must file the same returns required of U.S. natives; they can claim the same deductions and use the same filing statuses available to citizens.
On the other hand, **non-resident foreigners** can file Form 2555 to claim an exclusion or deduction for foreign-earned income or foreign housing.
How do you file taxes in the United States?
To file taxes in the United States, you must submit a series of forms:
- Form W-2, one for each employer,
- Form 1099 or 1099-INT,
- Other **receipts**, such as: donation receipts, local and state taxes, mortgage interest, medical expenses, and business expenses.
In the next step, you must choose the **filing status** that determines your tax rate. Then, choose the filing method, which can be online or by mail. Verify that there are no outstanding debts with the tax authority and check whether a standard or itemized deduction is appropriate.
Finally, taxes must be filed before the deadline set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
When must I file taxes in the United States?
Tax returns can be filed according to two different schedules. If the taxpayer follows the calendar year, which ends on December 31, the deadline to file the tax return is April 15.
Conversely, if they follow a fiscal year, the return must be filed by the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the fiscal year. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the deadline is moved to the next business day.
If the taxpayer cannot file their return by the deadline, they must request an extension using Form 4868.
For more information about filing taxes, it is recommended to visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
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