April 18, 2022
- file individual tax return (Form 1040) - for expats, this deadline is automatically extended until June 15, 2021
- file Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) - or simply wait until October 17 - the automatic extension deadline
Note: Expat children with foreign financial accounts are also required to file FBARs
- to avoid late payment penalties, make a payment of any US tax you owe. Alternatively, if you have sustained a substantial financial loss, file Form 1127, Application for Extension of Time for Payment of Tax Due to Undue Hardship, to request a 6 months extension to pay taxes due (in some cases, the extension may be granted for a longer period)
June 15, 2022
- file Form 1040 or an extension of time to file until October 17, 2022 (extension filed with Form 4868)
October 17, 2022
- file the extended tax return (Form 1040); or
- apply for an additional two-month extension to file Form 1040 until December 15
- file the FBAR (October 15 is an automatic 6-month extension/no further extension is possible)
December 15, 2022
- the final deadline to file 2021 US tax returns.
2021 Minimum Income Filing Thresholds:
Whether someone must file a federal income tax return depends on their worldwide gross income, filing status, age, and whether they are a dependent.
- $5 if married filing separately (MFS)
- $12,550 if filing single ($14,250 for those 65 or older)
- $18,800 if filing as a head of household (HOH) ($20,500 for those 65 or older)
- $25,100 if married filing jointly (MFJ) ($26,450 if one spouse is 65 or older, $27,800 if both are over 65 years old)
It is important to note that self-employed individuals have a filing requirement if their net annual earnings from self-employment exceed $400.
Also, you may qualify as Head of Household if you are married to a non-resident alien. You are considered unmarried for head of household purposes if your spouse was a nonresident at any time during the year and you do not choose to treat your nonresident as a resident. However, your spouse is not a qualifying person for head of household purposes. You must have another qualifying person and meet the other tests to be eligible to file as a head of household.
Foreign currencies need to be converted to US dollar amounts using the published IRS Yearly Average Currency Exchange Rates.
In addition, some individuals may be required to file a tax return or submit other information/returns even if they earn less than the minimum income for their filing status. It is also important to note that because retirement benefits are not “foreign earned,” they are not eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and, although, these payments are usually taxable only in the country of residence, you are/may be required to file a US tax return to report such income.
Source: IRS Pub 501
