And a tax question...

[beijingjenny]

I know this isn't a tax help board, but I've discovered in doing my taxes for 2001, the last year I had a W-2, that the gov't owes me back all the tax I paid. This doesn't seem right but seems to be true (with or without my Chinese salary that year). I could prob milk more if I asked for an EIC but don't know if I should go that far.

 

Do you think they're going to be a bit T'd O that I'm asking for it 3 years later? Or should I just take it as an unexpected boon that will pay part of the IV fee (seems only just somehow...).

[lele]

Jenny,

 

My uncle (an accountant) says that in addition to having to give you your money back, that you *may* be able to argue for *interest* (the same way that late payers need to pay interest).

 

Good Luck and get a-filing!!!

[BobandNicole]

Jenny, because of several issues I hadn't filed my last 3 years returns, and when I did finaly last fall, found out the U.S. Gov't owed me a ton of money, both US and California for the years I lived there.

 

But, there is a statute of limitations, so if you keep procrastinating you may not get the refund. I'd get them filed ASAP. The Gov't would just sqander it anyway.

 

Bob

[beijingjenny]

Thanks a lot Lele and Bob. I will go for it then! It's not a ton of money but every little bit helps.

 

Do you think it would be pushing it to try for a EIC that year? Going through the worksheet, it doesn't say anything about foreign income not applying, just that you had to be living in the US for at least half the year, which I was.

 

What do you mean about interest Lele? It's me who just didn't file those years, not them procrastinating.

 

Thanks again!

[Dan R]

Just send it in a hope they pay. If you didn't file and hadn't applied for an extension on filing you owe fines and penalties (no interest since you didn't owe) for late filing. Don't mention that part just mail it in.

[beijingjenny]

Hmmm, I was never obligated to pay, just trying to be a good citizen now and avoid potential problems (as well as want to attach copies to my I-864). I should think as long as I at least didn't owe them, shouldn't have any penalties at least...

[tywy_99]

As someone has already posted here, there is a statute of limitations. It is 3 years. Any tax year over 3 years, the IRS won't refund.

 

 

Here's yet another acronym from our very own, the IRS: (RSED) Refund Statute Expiration Date.

[DocMartin817]

I found I made a mistake on my taxes and I was really head of household and not single status. So I went back three years and sent in an amended form for each year. Worked with no problems

[beijingjenny]

Thanks, folks. So it sounds like maybe for 2001 they won't refund? Or do I still barely fit into the 3 year window somehow...? I'll give it a go anyhow. Worst case, I just don't get the money.