Tax Filing Options For Individuals With No Set Residence
Whether you spend parts of the year in different locations or are constantly mobile, figuring out what your tax filing responsibilities are can be a complicated process, and finding a good way to file can be even more difficult. Even with online options and proliferation of preparation offices nationwide, finding the right option at the right time can be difficult.
Figuring Out Where To File
The first thing to consider is where you might owe. If you are working in a state or multiple states throughout the year and receive a W-2 for it, then you'll likely need to file paperwork with all of those locations. If you're an independent contractor or receiving income from a source like investments, Social Security, or a trust, or if you travel very frequently, you will need to consult a tax filing expert. These situations are highly dependent on other factors of your lifestyle and are almost impossible to generalize.
Submitting Paperwork Online
One of the best options for individuals without a set residence is to make use of online submission options. Virtually every major prep company now has an e-file option available directly through the website, with no requirement to visit an actual office location. However, using an automated service has numerous pitfalls. In particular, it can be difficult to get answers to pressing questions, especially if you have a complex or confusing situation.
When And How To Find An Office
If online submission doesn't work for you, you'll want to track down an office. For tax filing purposes, it doesn't matter what state the office is in. If you happen to be in Michigan, track down Michigan locations near you and visit one of them. If you're in California, seek out a nearby service there. The key is simply to find someone that has experience and knowledge about your situation. Depending how complex it is, especially if you suspect that you may have been delinquent in your payment responsibilities during years past, you might want to seek out the assistance of a lawyer.
Receiving IRS Correspondence
If you have no one set residence, it can be difficult for the IRS to contact you. What a lot of people in this position do is choose a company to manage mail for them, forwarding any documents that seem particularly important. This can obviously be a big risk, especially with the amount of personal information found on returns and other IRS documents. However, it's a better alternative to not having any kind of address at all and being completely unable to retrieve your documents.
For residents who frequently return to a particular location, getting a post office box in that location and checking it regularly can work. As a rule of thumb, you should access the PO box location regularly enough that you wouldn't go more than a month without checking it. Having mail sent to a family member or close friend can also work.
Figuring Out Where To File
The first thing to consider is where you might owe. If you are working in a state or multiple states throughout the year and receive a W-2 for it, then you'll likely need to file paperwork with all of those locations. If you're an independent contractor or receiving income from a source like investments, Social Security, or a trust, or if you travel very frequently, you will need to consult a tax filing expert. These situations are highly dependent on other factors of your lifestyle and are almost impossible to generalize.
Submitting Paperwork Online
One of the best options for individuals without a set residence is to make use of online submission options. Virtually every major prep company now has an e-file option available directly through the website, with no requirement to visit an actual office location. However, using an automated service has numerous pitfalls. In particular, it can be difficult to get answers to pressing questions, especially if you have a complex or confusing situation.
When And How To Find An Office
If online submission doesn't work for you, you'll want to track down an office. For tax filing purposes, it doesn't matter what state the office is in. If you happen to be in Michigan, track down Michigan locations near you and visit one of them. If you're in California, seek out a nearby service there. The key is simply to find someone that has experience and knowledge about your situation. Depending how complex it is, especially if you suspect that you may have been delinquent in your payment responsibilities during years past, you might want to seek out the assistance of a lawyer.
Receiving IRS Correspondence
If you have no one set residence, it can be difficult for the IRS to contact you. What a lot of people in this position do is choose a company to manage mail for them, forwarding any documents that seem particularly important. This can obviously be a big risk, especially with the amount of personal information found on returns and other IRS documents. However, it's a better alternative to not having any kind of address at all and being completely unable to retrieve your documents.
For residents who frequently return to a particular location, getting a post office box in that location and checking it regularly can work. As a rule of thumb, you should access the PO box location regularly enough that you wouldn't go more than a month without checking it. Having mail sent to a family member or close friend can also work.
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