Andrew Coleman
Articles
How to file Form 1116 and get credit for foreign taxes paid
If you earn income outside the US, chances are you’ve run into the issue of double taxation. The IRS offers ways to avoid that, and one of the most effective tools is the foreign tax credit, claimed using Form 1116. The process can get complicated, especially if you have income from multiple countries, different types of income, o...
Form 1040 explained: Your guide to the US Individual Income Tax Return
What is Form 1040 and why does everyone dread it? Form 1040 is the bedrock of the American tax filing system – and also the unofficial trigger for nationwide eye twitching every spring. But once you understand it, it’s just a glorified summary sheet of your financial year. Let’s start at the beginning. The ...
What is unearned income vs. earned one & how it is taxed (with examples)
What is unearned income? Unearned income is a form of income that does not result from work or services performed. This income includes money that someone might receive as a gift, inheritance, alimony payments, rental payments, dividends from stocks and other investments, and different types of income that a...
Complete guide: filing US tax returns for dual-status aliens
Every US resident must file an annual individual tax return. But what if you were a resident for a part of the calendar year? If you were both a resident and a non-resident during the same year, you are considered a dual-status alien. Though the filing process for dual-status aliens is different from that of US citizens and perman...
Why does the IRS say my information doesn't match?
If the IRS says your information doesn’t match their records, don’t panic — it’s a common issue for US expats. Simple mistakes like outdated details, typos, or reporting errors can trigger this problem. This guide explains why it happens, how to fix it, and what you can do to avoid tax filing troubles. ...
Form W-2 explained: What it is, who gets one, and how to use it in 2025
If you’ve ever received a paycheck from an employer, chances are you’ve also received a Form W-2. It's one of the most critical documents for filing your US tax return – and yet, for many taxpayers, it still feels like a mystery wrapped in a sea of tax codes and boxes. So, what is a W-2 f...