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Old 05-23-2014, 07:21 PM
 
Location: Wicker Park, Chicago
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My brother says there is a problem with the IRS or so if I stay longer than 6 months in the Philippines. Is any of that true?
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Old 05-24-2014, 06:35 AM
 
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Too many variables to answer. Call the IRS or consult with a CPA.
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Old 05-24-2014, 07:33 AM
 
Location: Victoria TX
42,579 posts, read 86,655,442 times
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The length of time you are outside the country is of no relevance to anything. If US-born, you never lose your citizenship nor the right to re-enter just by walking back in. But if foreign-born and became a US citizen, you might lose your citizenship in some extreme cases, which have nothing to do with how long your are gone.

If you're talking only about tax problems, American citizens are required to file an income tax return reporting all their worldwide income, but there is normally a credit for any taxes paid to another country where the income was earned. The American consul in Manila can explain, or mail you information, that is relevant to your situation in that country. Again, there is no clock that stats ticking when you leave that compels you to do anything after a certain length of time.

Here is a source to more specific information regarding citizenshp:

http://www.newcitizen.us/losing.html

Here is a short summary from another website:

According to the policy statement, the presumption that a person intends to retain U.S. citizenship is not applicable when the individual:

formally renounces U.S. citizenship before a consular officer;

takes a policy level position in a foreign state;

is convicted of treason; or

performs an act made potentially expatriating by statute accompanied by conduct which is so inconsistent with retention of U.S. citizenship that it compels a conclusion that the individual intended to relinquish U.S. citizenship.

Last edited by jtur88; 05-24-2014 at 07:52 AM..
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Old 05-24-2014, 08:33 AM
 
10,746 posts, read 25,899,180 times
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No, there isn't a problem, but if you change your status from "visitor" to "resident" your problems could begin and the previous poster already outlined some of those for you.
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Old 05-24-2014, 08:52 AM
 
Location: No. Virginia, USA
327 posts, read 566,865 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse69 View Post
My brother says there is a problem with the IRS or so if I stay longer than 6 months in the Philippines. Is any of that true?
what kind of visa does he have?
No problems at all if you file your tax returns. Remember for U.S. citizens all earnings are reportable to the IRS, regardless whether the money was earned in the U.S. or abroad.
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Old 05-24-2014, 09:10 AM
 
Location: North Idaho
32,514 posts, read 47,553,130 times
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No problem with the IRS. You must file your taxes every year, but the IRS doesn't care if you mail it in.

There might be a problem with your visa if you are not a US citizen. For that you could check with the US Embassy, if you are already in the Philippines.

Your title says you are a US citizen. Some US citizens stay away for years at a time. I, myself, was out of the country for six years, no problems. You do have to file your taxes every year and it probably isn't the best idea to let your passport expire while you are out of the country.
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Old 05-24-2014, 09:46 AM
 
18,073 posts, read 18,706,152 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse69 View Post
My brother says there is a problem with the IRS or so if I stay longer than 6 months in the Philippines. Is any of that true?
No.

"Is there a problem if a US Citizen stays abroad > 6 months?"

No.
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Old 05-24-2014, 03:38 PM
 
43,330 posts, read 44,052,401 times
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US citizens can stay outside the country as long as they like but they need to file taxes. If a US citizen lives overseas and needs to renew his/her passport at a local US embassy/consulate, they might be asked to show proof that they filed IRS forms in order to renew their American passport.
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Old 05-24-2014, 07:05 PM
 
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You only need to file taxes if you made above the minimum income level for filing taxes.
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Old 05-25-2014, 02:30 PM
 
Location: Viña del Mar, Chile
16,393 posts, read 30,834,700 times
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Not with the IRS, but likely a problem with immigration in the Phillipeans.
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