If you will never live in the US, you should renounce your citizenship. This will be permanent and irrevocable, so consider it wisely. This eliminates any issue with not filing taxes while working overseas.
this post was submitted on 14 Mar 2024
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The US does not recognize dual citizenship if you are a US citizen then you must use your US passport to enter the country.
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Researching around this cause I thought it was interesting, certainly not an expert. Apparently your case is considered an "accidental American" and you can probably search for others in your scenario. The IRS has a tax treaty with Germany that should be able to help you reduce (or maybe eliminate) your tax burden.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tax-implications-dual-citizenship-what-you-need-know-daniel-morris-jfxle https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z
You should file for taxes. It's highly likely you don't actually owe any money. There's probably an expat community in Germany that can help you out with finding someone familiar with US tax law without going to the US.
If you somehow owe taxes it could be a problem, but I really doubt that is the case.
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Always enter and exit the US with your US passport. Not doing so is illegal.
For anything else, use your German passport, especially in the EU. That's what I have been doing for years.
I don't know if it is an issue for immigration, but you absolutely are required to file taxes every year and can get in trouble if you don't. There's a "streamlined procedure" that you can do if you've never filed taxes to start filing without incurring any fines or penalties.
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according to US law it's illegal as a citizen not to enter with your US passport.
I'm also dual with Australia and never travel on my US passport.
Leave Germany either your German passport. Enter the US with your US passport. Leave US with you US passport. Re-enter Germany with your German passport. Easy. Unless you are very wealthy the IRS arenβt going to come looking for you on a short stay.
I agree. This is what I do. Carry both in case that ask for the other.
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You can renounce your citizenship.
Or you can just hire a tax preparer to figure out your situation. See if they can consult with you virtually.
Apparently youβre still on the hook for all your taxes. But recently there were limits for the first $100k you earn, so you might owe nothing.
For earned income overseas, US grants a credit for income tax payed to a foreign government. So if you live overseas and work a job, and the country you live in has higher taxes than the US, you can end up owing no US tax. But you still have to file the tax return every year.
@[email protected] just file your missing years and include a letter explaining your situation and contact info.
Some paper clerk will pass it onto their supervisor who will pass it onto their supervisor who might send an auto generated letter or give you a phone call.
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For entering and exiting the US you should have a US passport and travel using it. Bring your German passport with you for proof of citizenship once you enter Germany. It's basically your visa, and dictates if you can enter the country and the permitted duration of stay. Passports are complicated, always do your research before travelling, or just call your carrier.
I thought traveling with 2 passports was a big no-no?
I can imagine that some authorities might find it suspicious, but in OPs case, it is necessary to travel with both passports to have the least hassle.
Entering the US with your German passport or returning to Germany with your US passport if you have both will lead to a lot of questions as you won't have the necessary visa in those passports.
Edit: Although I wouldn't present both passports at the same time, only the one that is applicable or more convenient for wherever you are.
I worked as a check in agent in Australia for 2 years and we had zero issues with people carrying two passports with them. I've dealt with flights regarding Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, LAX, Ottawa and others, none of which I can recall anyone being pulled aside for carrying a second passport.
That said I'm not a border security officer, and it's best to check with your origin/destination's border security website, because I don't know if that is an issue in some port I'm not familiar with.
Me too. Iβve heard a story from a friend who did that (Aus, UK) and had guns pulled on him in Singapore for it followed by being pulled aside while an investigation ensued.
I think the US you have to use your American one if you have it, no?
A lot of countries have that rule.
Recently got Canadian citizenship and it seems to be the case there also.
The US passport should probably be enough, as it shows that your are a US citizen, so free passage into US soil I think