US EXPATRIATE TAX RETURN DUE DATES FOR 2011

Expatriates who live and work abroad on April 16th, 2012, receive an automatic extension of time to file their US income tax returns until June 15th, 2012.  They do not need to even file an extension request. If additional time is required after that date they can obtain a further extension by filing form 4868 by June 15th, which will extend their return until 10/15/12.  Therefore, it may be be possible to get a further extension until 12/15/12 by filing a letter request with the IRS.  

Regardless of any extensions you receive or apply for as an expat, any taxes that are due for 2011 must be paid by 4/16/12 in order to avoid interest and penalty assessments for paying any taxes due at a later date. It is important (if you return is not completed yet) to file your expat extension by 6/15/12 since that will stop the IRS of assessing the largest penalty which is 5% (of the tax due with the return) per month up to a maximum of 25%  (of the tax due with the return) for filing your return late.

Your FBAR form TDF 90-22.1 (filed to report foreign bank and financial accounts) must be filed no later than June 30, 2012 for the 2011 Calendar year.  That form is filed separately from your tax return and cannot be extended beyond that date.

Most of the other special forms filed to report your offshore activities such as 8938, 5471, 3520, 8865, etc., due on the extended due date of your personal tax return.  The one exception is Form 3520A( filed for foreign trusts and Mexican Fideicomisos) is due 3/15/12 for 2011, but can be extended with Form 7004 to September 15, 2012.

Taxpayers outside the U.S. face a June 15 deadline

  Taxpayers outside the U.S. who qualify for an automatic two-month extension must file their 2010 federal income tax returns by June 15, IRS said in a reminder. This deadline applies to U.S. citizens and resident aliens who both live and work outside the country, and to members of the military serving outside the U.S. Taxpayers utilizing this extension must attach a statement to their return specifying which of these conditions applies, IRS stressed. Most taxpayers abroad now qualify to use IRS Free File to prepare and electronically file their returns, IRS said. According to the agency, higher-income taxpayers should explore this option due to the foreign earned income exclusion. The $58,000 income limit applies after the exclusion of up to $91,500 is subtracted. Consequently, this makes Free File available to many higher-income taxpayers. Taxpayers who cannot meet the June 15 deadline can receive an automatic extension until Oct. 17. This is an extension of time to file, not an extension of time to pay,

US Expatriate Tax Return and related Foreign Tax Forms Due Dates

If you live and work abroad your personal 2010 tax return is automatically extended until 6/15/11, but if you wish to avoid penalties and interest on any underpayments you should pay in the amount due (or estimate) by 4/18/11.  Your first quarter estimated tax for 2011 is also due to be made on 4/18/11 using form 1040 ES. You can extend until 10/15/11 your expatriate tax return on or before 6/15/11 by filing Form 4868 with the appropriate box checked.  If you need to extend your expatriate return beyond that date in order to qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion you need to file Form 2350. 


If you do not file the necessary form to extend your personal return and end up owing taxes, failure to properly extend the form will result in the large penalty of 5% per month of the tax due up to a maximum penalty of 25% of the tax due plus interest. Best to not miss filing that extension due to this high penalty.


Your TDF 90 -22.1 Form reporting foreign financial, bank accounts, etc., must be received by 6/30/11 at the Detroit address on that form. No extensions can be obtain. Late filing can result in penalties of $10,000 or more.


Your Form 5471 for Foreign Corporations, 8865 for foreign partnerships and LLCs, 3520 for foreign trusts and Mexican Fideicomisos,  and Form 8858 for disregarded entities  are all on the  due dae of  your personal return  or  its extended due date if that is later and you have filed an extension.