One thing nobody's mentioned yet - don't forget about FBAR requirements! Even after you surrender your green card, if you had $10,000+ across all foreign (non-US) accounts at any point during the year you lived in the US, you still need to file the FBAR form. I got hit with a massive penalty for missing this when I moved back to Europe.

This is a really complex situation that involves both US and UK tax law! A few additional points to consider beyond what others have mentioned: First, make sure you understand the timing of your move in relation to tax years. The UK tax year runs April 6 to April 5, while the US follows the calendar year. This can create some interesting split-year situations that affect how you report income in both countries. Second, regarding your W-8BEN form - you'll need to be careful about when you submit it. You can only claim treaty benefits as a UK resident once you've actually established UK tax residency. The distributors will need updated forms, and there might be a transition period where you're still subject to the higher withholding rates. Also worth noting: some music royalties might be classified differently depending on whether they're mechanical royalties, performance royalties, or sync licensing fees. The treaty treatment can vary based on the specific type of royalty income. Finally, consider keeping detailed records of your income sources and any taxes withheld during your transition year. You'll likely need to file partial-year returns in both countries for the year you move, and having clear documentation will make this much easier. The international tax rules for creative professionals are genuinely complicated, so getting professional help from someone experienced with US-UK tax issues is probably your best bet for navigating this correctly.

Just want to point out that even if you miss the deadline, it's not the end of the world. I completely missed my CP566 response deadline by about 3 weeks because the notice got lost in the mail and I only found out when I called to check on my application status. I still sent in the requested documents with a letter explaining why I was late, and my ITIN was approved without any issues. It just delayed the whole process by a few weeks. The IRS isn't as rigid as people think, especially for ITIN applications where they understand many applicants have international complications.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my ITIN application. Got my CP566 notice last week and I'm supposed to be out of the country for work until mid-January. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many options available. I think I'm going to try calling the IRS directly first using that number Connor mentioned (1-800-908-9982) to see if they can note my account about the travel. If that doesn't work, the Claimyr service sounds promising based on the experiences shared here, especially since Natasha had success with it after being initially skeptical. One question for those who've been through this - when you called the IRS to explain international travel, did you need to provide any proof of your travel plans (like flight confirmations) or did they just take your word for it? I want to be prepared with whatever documentation they might need when I call. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating these confusing IRS processes!

I went through this exact confusion last year! You're right to be puzzled because the relationship between AGI and AMTI isn't straightforward. Here's what I learned: Even if your AGI is higher than your AMTI, you can still owe AMT. The key comparison is between your "tentative minimum tax" (calculated from your AMTI) and your regular tax liability - whichever is higher is what you pay. Think of it this way: AGI and AMTI are just different starting points for calculating taxes under two parallel systems. Your AMTI might be lower than your AGI because certain deductions that reduce your AGI aren't allowed when calculating AMTI, but you're adding back other preference items. With your income level, I'd definitely recommend completing Form 6251 or having your tax software do it automatically. The AMT exemption does phase out at higher incomes, so it's worth checking. Don't rely on the AGI vs AMTI comparison alone - that's not the determining factor for AMT liability. Hope this helps clarify things! The AMT system is genuinely confusing even for experienced filers.

Great question! This is one of the most common AMT misconceptions. The relationship between AGI and AMTI actually doesn't determine whether you're subject to AMT at all. Here's the key: AMT works by running two completely separate tax calculations - your regular tax and your "tentative minimum tax." You pay whichever amount is higher. So even if your AGI exceeds your AMTI, you could still owe AMT if your tentative minimum tax (calculated from your AMTI) is higher than your regular tax liability. Your AMTI starts with your taxable income, then adds back certain "preference items" like state/local tax deductions, some depreciation methods, and bargain elements from stock options. These adjustments can create situations where your AMTI is lower than your AGI but still generates a higher tax liability under the AMT system. With your income level and the complexity you're describing, I'd strongly recommend actually completing Form 6251 (or having your tax software do it). The form will show you exactly whether you owe AMT by comparing your tentative minimum tax to your regular tax. Don't try to shortcut it by comparing AGI to AMTI - that comparison doesn't tell you what you need to know about your actual AMT liability.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I think I understand better now. The combination of starting a campus job plus how the scholarship was categorized seems to be the main issue. I'll go back and check my 1042-S forms from both years to see if there are any differences in how things were reported. I'm definitely going to try both the document analysis and getting someone from the IRS on the phone. My scholarship is really important for me to continue my studies, so I need to understand exactly how it's being taxed so I can budget properly. This has been really eye-opening about how complex international student taxation can be! I'll update once I figure everything out.

I'm glad you're getting some clarity on this! One thing I'd recommend is also checking with your university's international student office - they often have tax specialists who understand exactly how your school reports scholarships on the 1042-S forms. In my experience, universities sometimes change their reporting procedures between years, which can dramatically affect your tax calculations even when nothing else changes. They might have switched how they categorize your housing scholarship or changed which box they use on the 1042-S form. Also, when you're comparing your forms, pay special attention to: - Box 1 (Income Code) - this determines how the IRS treats your scholarship - Box 2 (Gross Income) vs Box 4 (Tax Withheld) - Any treaty exemption codes Your international student office can also help you understand if you should be filing Form 1040NR-EZ vs 1040NR, which can make a difference in your refund calculation. Good luck sorting this out!

anyone else notice they always pull this right b4 the end of the year? its like clockwork at this point smh

I've been through this exact situation! When I called extension 623, they were actually pretty helpful. The agent explained that my amended return got flagged because I made changes to multiple tax forms (Schedule A and Schedule C), which requires additional verification. They asked me to confirm some numbers from my original return and the amended version, then told me it would take 3-4 weeks to complete processing. Sure enough, I got my refund about a month later. The key is to have both your original return and amended return in front of you when you call - they'll want to verify specific line items. Don't stress too much, this seems to be their standard process for certain types of amendments!