Does a US citizen need to file income tax if she is not in the US and is a dependent wife of a non US citizen?

Question

Hi, My aunt is a US citizen living in Singapore for many years now. Every year she returns to the United States. She does not have income because she's dependent on her Singaporean husband. Recently, she tried to petition her son. She was informed that she needed to explain why she has filed her income tax. She was told that she needed to file it even if she had NO income. Is anyone familiar with the US tax laws regarding this? Would you know of any website/link I can check to research this? Thanks in advance.

i miswrote something..it was supposed to read that she was asked why she "has NOT filed her income tax." :)

Answer 1

This is from an American overseas.

YOU MUST file annually, even if you have zero income, to stay current with your record. It is a requirement anyway, although it is an expense and a pain in the neck.

If you don't do it it makes you look like dirt, you can't file for SS later, and you can get in trouble when you get back to the States.

Yes even if you have no income to speak of. And let me say, finding people who can do your taxes overseas ain't easy, though the various consulates may give you a referrral.

-------------------

To Blues4u below...may I say this ?.

The constituted system is so locked in by pragmatic and political necessities in equal amount, that you might as well wait for man to evolve wings. It will certainly happen sooner.

This is what's amazing about the American public discourse.
The upside is that any all ideas are freely discussed, too often superficially. This subject would qualify. They're often VERY valid foundational ideas.

But, like Libertarianism and Rand's political objectivism, there's a built-in societal bias against its potential which makes the entire pursuit a waste of time.

Now, in MY perfect world, in which only those who pass minimal IQ and cultural tests are allowed to vote, it would be different. In the REAL world, one adapts merely to survive.

My regards to you.

Answer 2

She shouldn't have to file if she doesn't have any income at all. Just for laughs, she should file every year with an income of 0 and taxes owe of 0 and create paper for the IRS to shuffle.

Answer 3

This is another example why the Fair tax Initiative is so important. Our lives, our economy, and our government would be simpler and more effective by eliminating state and federal income tax and moving to a consumption only form of taxation.

Interested?

Read more:

http://www.fairtax.org/

Answer 4

As I understand, all US citizens are subject to payment of US income tax - the benefit of being a US citizen.

Answer 5

I wouldn't think she would have to file, but not sure, try this web site.....
www.irs.gov