Which US tax form to use?

peter2010 · Post by **peter2010** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:09 am

I am a Canadian who worked in the US for 12 years until I was laid off in Summer 2010. When I got laid off I converted my 401K to Roth IRA and deferred the taxes until 2011 and 2012. Since being laid off in 2010, I have been living in Asia and I have not worked (so no income). I need to file US tax return for 2011 (for deferred taxes on Roth conversion) but not sure which form to use. I still maintain a residence in the US but I have not been physically in the US since I left in Aug 2010. For 2010 I filed the standard 1040 form claiming 2 dependents (my children) and filed using my US address. For 2011 should I do the same (ie use standard 1040 and US address) or should I do something different? Any advice would be appreciated.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:42 am

Its upto you, in that you haven't established a tax home elswhere, and you are always allowed to file a 1040 regardless of where you are, as a Cdn citizen.

Since you already know how to file a standard 1040 (and 8891 and FBAR, etc) I woulsd simply sticjk with this.

if you had been making outside income, you could also hoose to file 1040NR, since you are neither US citizen of GC holder, nor have you now meet SPT.

It would come down to which one was least US tax bill. I'm thinking standard 1040

peter2010 · Post by **peter2010** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:36 pm

Does the requirement to file 8891 and FBAR go away when filing 1040NR?

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:37 pm

Yes, because you are not a GC holder or citizen.