USA Expatriate Taxes

[soundbarviolatr]

Hello All,

Looking for help in regards to taxation of US expatriates:

1. I understand that to qualify for the $80k + USD tax free exemption, I have to be outside the USA for 330 days. I will be heading back to the USA on business for 1 day and will have a couple of weeks off after business is done. I would like to utilize this time off to see my family but I cannot afford to bite into the alloted 35 days/year. So my question is: Can I exit to Tijuana Mexico by land so that my time with my family south of the border will not be counted towards my 35 days/year allotment? How can I document and prove to the IRS that I did in fact exit the USA? The last time I went into Mexico they did not require any travel documents nor did they stamp or input anything in the system to show that I did in fact exit the USA on such and such date.

2. Are there any USA expats that recommend an affordable but good CPA type that is well versed in working expat taxes? I don't know if it matters, but preferably in Northern California?

3. Can anyone break down this BOC-Prudential easy choice mandatory provident fund scheme? I tried to read up on it but I cant grasp what it is. Anyone have any guide as to what to do with this? I understand its kinda similar to social security in the USA and that I can "cash out" at the time I leave HK. So I want to put in as little as I can - how can I calculate what amount I put in (what is the minimum/maximum calculated?).

Thanks fellas much appreciated.

SBV

[mike2525]

Mexico should be fine. just remember that it is *full days in a foreign *state; half days and international waters are the same as being in the US.

MPFs in hk require you to pay 5% of your monthly salary every month, this should (must?) be match by your employer. Also, you aren't required to have one for your first year in hk.

[soundbarviolatr]

Mexico should be fine. just remember that it is *full days in a foreign *state; half days and international waters are the same as being in the US.

MPFs in hk require you to pay 5% of your monthly salary every month, this should (must?) be match by your employer. Also, you aren't required to have one for your first year in hk.

International waters account for flying OVER international waters? Jeez that would seriously suck.

Also, I went on the website and asked the company and was led to believe that this MPF is MANDATORY -- Can you please give me reference to where it says that the first year is NOT required? Thanks much Mike.

[mike2525]

there are some good examples on the irs website
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - Physical Presence Test

mpf:
from:
MPFA Interactive Guide

Exempt Persons:
"- People from overseas who enter Hong Kong for employment for less than 13 months, or who are covered by overseas retirement schemes; and"

[Petex]

1) also if you are having issues with the 330 days, just remember that it is 330 days in 12 consecutive months. If you have to, then you could just shift your 12 consecutive months window further along until you do have 330 days. In my case, I came to HK in July so I had to file tax extensions until I completed the 330 days (although I only got tax exemption applied to the income earned after my July arrival to HK).

2) I used US Asia Tax. My first time using a CPA so I have no basis for comparison, but I have no complaints.