I am helping my partner migrate to the U.S. after our marriage. We're nearing the point where we do an Affidavit of Support during our embassy interview abroad, which says I need to bring tax returns. I have not filed income taxes for the last three years, because I have been a full-time student in this country. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 13, 2009 - 9 answers

Where can I get good tax advice in the UK? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl on Apr 15, 2009 - 5 answers

Taxfilter: Why does the (US) federal government bother with payroll deductions? [more inside]
posted by Rykey on Mar 4, 2009 - 25 answers

Need recommendations for online billing, invoicing & book keeping solutions. [more inside]
posted by gadha on Feb 25, 2009 - 2 answers

What options does a Canadian have to report a negative experience with a Customs Canada officer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 2, 2008 - 3 answers

I want to start a business that operates exclusively within the United States, but I don't live there. Who should I talk to about setting up the legal business framework? [more inside]
posted by lowlife on Sep 3, 2007 - 7 answers

If I sell the house I live in, will I have to pay taxes on the difference between the original purchase price and the sale price? [more inside]
posted by watsondog on Jun 18, 2007 - 3 answers

Is the IRS going to penalise me for filing late from a foreign country? [more inside]
posted by chuckdarwin on Jun 18, 2007 - 11 answers

Is there anywhere that explains, in understandable english, what the duties & fees are for cross-border shopping? I'd like to know what to look for when shopping in the US. [more inside]
posted by Salmonberry on Oct 1, 2006 - 7 answers

I'm trying to make my new web project legal in California. After reading through the Nolo press book(s), we thought that perhaps the LLC was the best corporate structure (we are going to issue stock and give the primary developer a portion in lieu of payment). While the Federal government taxes LLCs like sole proprietorships - you aren't taxed unless you make profit, and I don't see our profit outpacing our costs for a year - the State of California charges an LLC "tax" (really a fee) of $800, due almost immediately after your incorporation paperwork goes through, so... [more inside]
posted by luriete on Sep 8, 2006 - 9 answers

My friend is a USA citizen permanently residing in Australia. What are the taxation consequences of choosing to invest a windfall in the USA rather than Australia? [more inside]
posted by Joe in Australia on Sep 4, 2006 - 4 answers

I live in New York and recently started a new job in New Jersey. On my first pay stub, I noticed that I'm paying a state income tax for both NY and NJ (and the tax for new jersey is actually $30 more than the NY tax). How can I be forced to pay income tax to two different states when I only live in one? This seems unjust.
posted by zembla3 on Apr 30, 2006 - 5 answers

Do any MeFi Americans have experience of (part)-owning companies overseas? [more inside]
posted by sagwalla on Oct 19, 2005 - 3 answers

Our company recently participated in the MIDEM conference in Cannes (and they didn't take me!). We were assessed a reimbursable Value Added Tax. However, MIDEM arranges this repayment through an agency which takes a cut. I would like to get reimbursed without anyone taking a cut. Is this possible to do directly?
posted by Captaintripps on Mar 2, 2005 - 4 answers

TaxFilter: A co-worker and I both recently relocated and received a relocation allowance. Anything above the cost of the move (excess reimbursement) we were allowed to keep. I know that the excess is taxable income. My co-worker feels that the relocation allowance is like our Meals and Incidental Expenses per diem, we didn't spend all of the allowance, so we get to keep the balance treating it as non-taxable income.

How can I simply explain the difference between a per diem and an excess reimbusrment to him? I've showed him relevant IRS documentation such as Publications 17 and 521 to no avail.
posted by Fat Guy on Feb 5, 2005 - 5 answers

Ecommerce filter: Here at work we are attempting to understand/define the default business rules for taxation calculations within an ecommerce app. Specifically we are all tied up in knots over the application of rates, reporting issues, etc. Is there an industry standard for handling this aspect of a transaction? Who defines the standards, and how can I find out more about it?
posted by lilboo on Aug 12, 2004 - 2 answers

I've recently started a company, structured as a 'C' Corp, to sell my consulting/contracting services. One of the reasons I'm working as a 'C' corporation is so I can have the company pay all medical expenses. I've read from the web and various IRS publications that as long as the Medical Reimbursement Plan is offered to all employees equally (no problem there) then it can be paid for by the company and written off on the corp taxes. But in order to make the MRP legit what, other then limiting medical expenses to those listed as acceptable by the IRS, do I need to do? Special records? Outside plan administrator?
posted by dirtylittlemonkey on Apr 6, 2004 - 3 answers