On Friday, the IRS announced that Americans abroad can now use the IRS FreeFile system to file their tax returns. As we are one of the few countries that requires our citizens abroad to file taxes when they live abroad, this is a welcome — if long overdue — government service.
If you use this new government service, let us know how it goes.
Tax time is approaching again, and Americans abroad get a double-whammy as they have to file tax returns where they live and back home. And if the hassle and burden of filing taxes in two countries is not bad enough, the leading online tax preparation software in the US, TurboTax, hasn’t allowed payment using foreign credit cards in years past. Will they pay attention to the 6 million plus Americans abroad who are customers or potential customers and allow international payments this year? Alternatively, are any of their competitors planning to target the market.
Right now, the strategy seems akin to ignoring a state with 6 million inhabitants and making it more difficult for the residents of that state to complete their taxes using the best software available. I don’t get it.
This is Overseas Americans Week (“OAW”) – the annual lobbying visit to Washington by the Association of Americans Resident Overseas‘ (AARO), American Citizens Abroad (ACA), and the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO). Stay up-to-date with the latest developments through AARO-OAW blog, “Mr. Coyne Goes to Washington“. Launched today and running only until Friday, April 18, the blog will provide an inside look at OAW.
OAW is good opportunity to write to the members of of your Congressional delegation and enumerate the issues that concern you. While you’re at it, ask your Senators and Representative to join the Americans Abroad Caucus.
If you’re under 25 and you’re apathetic about voting in the 2008 Presidential Election or if you’re having trouble getting your teenager interested in voting this year, check out 18 in ’08. David D. Burstein, a 19 year-old college student, has produced and directed this nonpartisan documentary aimed at getting 17-24 year-olds to vote. The two year long project features interviews with politicians, political activists, media, students, and pop culture icons. The site states:
18 in ‘08 explains what is at stake for youth in the 2008 election, how decisions made in Washington today will affect young people for years to come, the issues and ideas that engage our generation, what turns us off, why are we so cynical about politics, the role of new media in engaging young voters, and candidates who have inspired youth.
Check out the trailer here. If you haven’t registered to vote yet, go to Overseas Vote Foundation and you can complete the regsitration process in about 10 minutes.
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