Vachement Content! How I filed my Expat Taxes Early (and Easily)
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Oh happy day in La Ciotat! I've filed my US expat taxes and now I can go out and play! It only took a few hours thanks to this excellent tax software at Expatfile. Now, don't miss today's non-taxing story.
"VACHEMENT CONTENT(E)"
: chuffed, very pleased
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Chuffed is a word I use so infrequently I could count on one hand the number of times I've said it. Today, it perfectly describes this feeling of satisfaction. I am chuffed, chuffed, so very chuffed to have completed my taxes on my own this year!
Chuffed, chuffed, chuffed! (In French that'd be vachement contente!) Now maybe you're thinking, Well, Mrs. Kristi, what's so chuffy about doing your own taxes? I do mine all on my own! Yes, but are you navigating the complex terrain that is US expat taxes? Are you a "resident alien"? I've been sweating over my international tax requirements--specifically my US federal tax return--ever since 2005, when I learned I had to report my income to the IRS--even though I live full-time in France and co-file here with my French husband.
I did my own taxes that fateful year, thanks to the help of another "resident alien", Sharon, who had some good news for me: thanks to American tax treaties with France I would most likely not owe any money to the Internal Revenue Service. I printed out all of the forms and somehow managed (thanks to Sharon!) to submit my first 1040 from overseas.
But I didn't want to bother my friend every year. So around 7 years ago, I learned about an expat tax service for Americans abroad. I used them up until two days ago, when I heard myself ruminating, I don't want to pay another $600 for tax preparation this year! I realized I was doing most of the work myself, via their online software, and even correcting mistakes made by the IRS-enrolled tax agent (and I'm not the smartest crayon in the box, either...).
So this year I googled "expat tax software" and stumbled onto Expatfile.com (they do not know me and I am not being paid for this enthusiastic report. However, I will receive referral fees should any other "aliens" (in France, Germany, England, or on the Moon) file their US taxes with Expatfile via any link in this post--and here's why you should:
Simple and Fast: While the record for one of their clients is "6 minutes" (talk about alien intelligence!), it took me just two hours. But that's because I took my own sweet time (I need time to overthink instructions and to constantly second-guess myself).
Inexpensive: This year I paid $189 for tax help at Expatfile.com. Did I tell you that up until now I've paid $600 each year for tax assistance? Considering I made less than $15,000 in 2022 from all three of my jobs (blogger, columnist, and author), that's a big chunk of cash to pay (4 percent of my income) for help filing my US federal tax return. I already pay a whopping $1600, yearly, to send out this newsletter via a listserver and my blog expenses don't stop there. Thankfully I am finally learning to list all expenses for the IRS--including a home-office a.k.a. Formerly My Daughter's Bedroom (deduct $5 per square foot with a maximum of 300 square feet).
Responsive: I don't know if "Matt" is an AI robot, but when I asked him for a discount after signing on at ExpatFile.com he immediately gave me 10 bucks off and remained super attentive for each question that followed. Thanks, Matt! (I can't guarantee you'll get the same discount but one should always ask.) Just like I asked the cashier at the supermarket whether he'd taken into account the 10 percent discount noted on the eggrolls. "Yes," he assured me. Only, when I got home and looked at the receipt, I saw he'd neglected to punch in the 20 percent discount for the chipolatas! So ask and verify. It all adds up.
Adds up: And so will my savings now that I'm no longer paying an extra 350 dollars a year for tax help. And I've been shouting it from the rooftops ever since I turned in my 2022 taxes. But each time I brag about my $350 savings--someone wants a piece of the pie! That is, my own family now wants to tax me...
...Jean-Marc says I can put it in the cagnotte (piggy bank) to buy him a Porche. (As if!)
...Max suggested I spend it on a cool birthday present (he turns 28 today! Happy Birthday, Mr. Son!)
...My sister, Heidi, hinted I might spring for lunch when my family from Denver arrives in 3 weeks.
No sooner did I save all this money, than a bunch of Sticky Fingers want to help spend it! I'm gonna go chat with Matt (the robot?) now and see if he has any more advice--now that my family wants "un petit tax" from me too. Meantime, if you are a US expat anywhere in the Universe and are struggling over taxes, don't sweat it. Update: You will get an even better deal than me: $20 off when you use this link. Go to Expatfile to begin the simple filing process.
EXPAT TAX FACTS
- Only 2 countries in the world have Citizenship-based taxation: the US and Eritrea (a Northeast African country whose name means "Red Sea". Expats from there are truly seeing red when tax season comes around!)
- A number of Americans abroad are so frustrated about filing US taxes they're giving up their citizenship.
- You are required by law to file your taxes as a US citizen living abroad, but you won't necessarily undergo double taxation (the US has tax treaties in place to avoid this).
- However innocent, you may need to file and "FBAR" (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as I just did.
- As an expat you have an automatic extension through June 15th to file your taxes. Why not begin, as I did, this week? See the low pricing options over at Expatfile and remember--Matt is there to help you!
Autumn Excursion in France: "Women in Burgundy" - An adventure designed especially for "Wander-ful Women!" September 20 to 30, 2023 - Includes seven nights in Burgundy and three nights in Paris. Click HERE for details.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
This time we'll focus on tax-related terms....
Click to listen to the list in French and in English
1. Les impôts - Taxes
2. La déclaration fiscale - Tax return
3. Le résident fiscal - Tax resident
4. Les traités fiscaux - Tax treaties
5. Les déductions fiscales - Tax deductions
6. Le contrôle fiscal - Tax audit
7. Le taux d'imposition - Tax rate
8. La période fiscale - Tax period
9. La réglementation fiscale - Tax regulations
10. Le compte bancaire étranger - Foreign bank account
Au revoir, for now, and thank you for reading. Here's an interesting blog for those interested in France and genealogy: Anne Morddel's French Geneology Blog. Enjoy!
REMERCIEMENTS
In French, a patron or supporter is un(e) mécène. Following the "Glou-Glou" Wine Farewell edition, Tchin Tchin! and special thanks to these mécènes for their helpful donations which keep this blog and its newsletter going:
Jennifer T.
Carol A.
Elaine S.
Ruth S.
Judy M.
Scott J.
Natalia R.
Susan C.
Valerie W.
Suzanne D.
Have time for one more story? Read "A Hussy to the IRS" (about the time the IRS almost called an expat The Slut of the Port)
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal each week. If you find joy or value in these stories and would like to keep this site going, donating today will help so much. Thank you for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
I love that word "chuffed" I use it from time to time too.
Well done for doing your own taxes and saving a bunch of money. That's got to feel very satisfying as well.
Joyeux Anniversaire to Max!! He shares the same birthday with my Baby Girl. 🎈🎂🎁
Posted by: Deborah | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 03:49 PM
Thanks, Deborah. Happy birthday to your Baby Girl! xoxo
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 04:55 PM
Your information is not accurate. Not everyone has to file an FBAR: Here’s the requirement… a United States person that has a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign financial accounts must file an FBAR if the aggregate value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. The full line item instructions are located at FBAR Line Item Instructions.
Also FINCEN is the FINANCIAL ( not Federal) CRIMES ENFORCEMENT NETWORK of the Department of Treasury.
Posted by: Glenn | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 07:43 PM
My brother pays U.S. taxes and hasn't lived in the U.S. for 40+ years... But, he won't give up his citizenship. And...he comes to visit once a year, supporting tourism, eating, lodging, and paying into the U.S. economy while here with his wife family. It's an expensive citizenship!
Posted by: Beth Fiacco | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 08:04 PM
Thank you, Glenn.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 08:04 PM
How interesting. Thanks, Beth.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:40 PM
This is the first time I have heard of the word “chuffed”. I’m thinking this must have a British origin. Very interesting about the tax info. I have heard that filing taxes in France is fast and easy for its citizens. Is that correct?
Posted by: Lynne | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 11:47 PM
Hi Lynne, that it true. Jean-Marc files mine so I was not aware how easy it was until recently. For most citizens it takes 10 minutes!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 07:14 AM
She is correct in saying "However innocent, you may need to file an FBAR ... ". Not everyone has to file unless they have foreign financial accounts over 10K at any time of the calendar year.
She didn't say 'everyone' has to file an FBAR. She said "You are required by law to file your taxes as a US citizen living abroad, " which means all US citizens living abroad must file US taxes.
As an american living in France, this is how I interpreted what she said.
Posted by: Aleta | Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 04:03 PM
Bravo you !! I know what it feels like to do your taxes on your own !
I have a US accountant filing mine in the US..I'm happy to pay him $150 .. the french side is another story. My taxes were easy till I retired in both countries. Just report the French income and taxes ( my only income ) in both countries Now I have to report both pensions in both countries. Last year was the first year..I hired an accountant here in France to file the French taxes .. he charged 1200 euros and as it turns out the taxes were incorrectly filed.
I think we are sometimes taken advantage of as expats to be honest, because dual citizenship and living abroard with roots / bank accounts / etc in two countries is tricky ! LOL
Tax time in both countries ( The US and France ) rolls around at about the same time .. which is sometimes a chicken and egg situation - knowing how much one has earned and paid in taxes in both countries..in order to know how to fill out the tax forms.
I'll be glad when this year is over. LOL
Posted by: Aleta | Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 04:08 PM
Thanks Aleta, but I updated the post to reflect Glenn’s corrections.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 04:44 PM
I keep voting for reasonable and civil. They never listen. The last time I did my own taxes (both IRS and NY State) it was a weekend, several pots of coffee, and a box of tissues for tears of frustration. No Matt. Yeah, and followed up with an adult beverage. Though I would reconsider at $600 per. Yikes. Congrats on the DIY.
Posted by: Karen in Northport, NY | Friday, May 19, 2023 at 05:56 PM
Don't forget about medical expenses not covered by any insurance. Is Jules a dependent?
Posted by: barbara michels | Thursday, May 09, 2024 at 01:03 AM