Mel Whitney
Articles
IRS Form 8938: What it is, who needs to file, and why you shouldn't ignore it
2026 filing season update: Filing your 2025 tax return? Form 8938 requirements remain unchanged for the 2025 tax year. If your specified foreign financial assets exceeded the applicable thresholds at any point in 2...
How to Use Head of Household Status to File Your Taxes
The head of household filing status is one that few people understand. But it is important to understand all of your filing options to minimize the taxes you owe. If you meet the criteria to qualify, a tax return for head of household can result in lower taxes than single status. This article will help you to understand how to qualify for head o...
H1B visa taxes: Complete filing guide for nonimmigrant workers (2026)
H1B visa holders typically qualify as US resident aliens for tax purposes after passing the substantial presence test. That means H1B visa tax usually includes federal income tax at 10–37% progressive rates, plus Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%, along with state taxes. The filing deadline is April 15, 2026, for the 2025 ta...
Foreign rental income tax guide: how to report, deduct expenses, and stay compliant
If you earn foreign rental income – whether from a vacation apartment in Spain, a family home in Mexico, or a long-term lease in Canada – you must report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Many Americans believe that paying taxes in the country where their property is located exempts them from US reporting requirements, but that’s not the ...
IRS Form 8840: closer connection exception to avoid US taxation
If you spend significant time in the United States but consider another country your home, you might be surprised to learn that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could still classify you as a US tax resident – even without a green card. This often happens to business travelers, seasonal or temporary workers, and individuals who spend long vacati...
US tax rules for resident and nonresident aliens: a complete guide
Whether you hold a Green Card, spend part of the year stateside, or simply earn occasional US income, your tax status – resident or non-resident alien – sets the ground rules, especially for tax purposes. If you’re a foreign employee, student, freelancer, or retiree with US ties, this guide delivers the essentia...