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Leaving the U.S. & Taxes

Posted on 7/17/09 at 10:17 am
Posted by Homeboy
Member since Aug 2007
10867 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 10:17 am
Let's say you have a job that pays seven figures a year and you can do it anywhere in the world via computer.

What country can you live in and pay zero taxes? At what point can you legally not file a U.S. tax return?

Assume also that visiting the U.S. from time to time would be nice.

Thanks!
Posted by LSURussian
Member since Feb 2005
133318 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 10:21 am to
Somalia doesn't have an income tax.

ETA: Also, Brunei has no income tax.
This post was edited on 7/17/09 at 10:25 am
Posted by petar
Miami
Member since May 2009
5989 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 10:25 am to
quote:

At what point can you legally not file a U.S. tax return?

I believe that you would have to pay US taxes unless you remove your citizenship.

Alot of countries such as the Netherlands and other EU countries give you tax break in thier country if you have to pay US taxes. The Us might give you a tax break as well.

but if i didn't have to pay US taxes, I would prbly go with Switzerland or Lietchenstien (Sp?)
Posted by LSURussian
Member since Feb 2005
133318 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 10:30 am to
If you live outside the U.S. and don't spend more than 30 days on U.S. soil during the tax year, you are exempt from paying U.S. income taxes on the first $87,600 (for 2008) of income. But you must pay taxes on the rest of your income.

Here is the IRS link for that information:
IRS Publication 54
Posted by Cold Cous Cous
Bucktown, La.
Member since Oct 2003
15316 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 11:08 am to
I can assure you that nowhere in Europe is the right answer. It's not only income tax to worry about; the sales tax rates over there are generally absurd.
Posted by BB19
West Monroe
Member since Mar 2009
307 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 11:23 am to
The British Virgin Isles
Posted by Meauxjeaux
102836 posts including my alters
Member since Jun 2005
45454 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 11:48 am to
I'll one-up your question.

What's the big deal about American citizenship?

If you could work like you mentioned, what's the incentive to retain American citizenship?
Posted by LSURussian
Member since Feb 2005
133318 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 11:50 am to
quote:

what's the incentive to retain American citizenship?

Have you ever worked abroad? That blue passport is like a 'get out of jail free' card if you're ever in a tight spot in many countries.
Posted by igoringa
South Mississippi
Member since Jun 2007
12255 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 11:58 am to
quote:

I believe that you would have to pay US taxes unless you remove your citizenship.


Good grief... step away from the computer... slowly. Consider going for a walk or something
Posted by Meauxjeaux
102836 posts including my alters
Member since Jun 2005
45454 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 11:58 am to
Traveled to Spain many years ago. That's about it.

That's why I'm asking. In kind of a 'normal course of life', what's a real benefit?

If you wanted to live in say, Belize, Brazil, Italy, Australia, Turk and Caicos, etc... would keeping American citizenship be a big deal?
Posted by lsuin09
Guanaja
Member since Feb 2009
2639 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 12:00 pm to
Your passport expiring would prohibit you from traveling as freely to other countries, that is the only negative I can think of if you are living on Turks and Caicos, Jost Van Dyke, etc...

Otherwise sign me up
Posted by go ta hell ole miss
Member since Jan 2007
14428 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 12:06 pm to
St. Croix. Know an attorney that did this.
Posted by Homeboy
Member since Aug 2007
10867 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 4:17 pm to
Thanks.

Given the population shift can see the U.S. hitting an 80-90% top rate. Estate taxes will also come back. Retirees will be leaving the U.S. in droves.
Posted by Poodlebrain
Way Right of Rex
Member since Jan 2004
19860 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 4:47 pm to
quote:

What country can you live in and pay zero taxes?

If your income is less than the foreign earned income exclusion amount for a given year then you can live in any foreign country and pay no U.S. income tax, but you may be subject to tax by the nation you are residing in. Even if your income is below the foreign earned income exclusion amount you still have to file a tax return, and you may be liable for self-employment tax to pay for future Social Security benefits. The foreign earned income exclusion amount for 2009 is $91,400.

quote:

At what point can you legally not file a U.S. tax return?

When you give up your U.S. citizenship or die.

Posted by tigerguy121
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2006
10695 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 4:58 pm to
quote:

What country can you live in and pay zero taxes?


Either US or that country's? Probably not a country you would want to live in
Posted by siliconvalleytiger
Bay Area, CA
Member since Apr 2004
31313 posts
Posted on 7/17/09 at 5:45 pm to
Dubai probably.
Posted by JFremani
Mid-city Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2009
1911 posts
Posted on 7/19/09 at 1:38 am to
I wonder how hard it is to get an American visa once you denounce your citizenship..
Posted by SpidermanTUba
my house
Member since May 2004
36132 posts
Posted on 7/19/09 at 1:45 am to
quote:


What country can you live in and pay zero taxes?


Monaco. 0% income tax.

quote:

At what point can you legally not file a U.S. tax return?


At whatever point you decide to give up your U.S. citizenship. If you wish to retain your citizenship you must continue to pay federal income tax on all of your earnings.

quote:


Assume also that visiting the U.S. from time to time would be nice.


You'll have to have a visa if you give up your citizenship.

Posted by SpidermanTUba
my house
Member since May 2004
36132 posts
Posted on 7/19/09 at 1:48 am to
quote:

The foreign earned income exclusion amount for 2009 is $91,400.



Does this include capital gains and dividends? my mother lives in mexico off of savings but has to pay u.s. federal income tax.
Posted by Draconian Sanctions
Markey's bar
Member since Oct 2008
87590 posts
Posted on 7/19/09 at 2:05 am to
quote:

I wonder how hard it is to get an American visa once you denounce your citizenship..


Ask Lee Harvey Oswald, he didn't seem to have any trouble

This post was edited on 7/19/09 at 2:11 am
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