Can I use my german passport to travel to USA or do I use my US passport?
And if I lived and worked in germany my whole life and never in the USA and never filed taxes can I enter USA without problems?
I just found out I am us citizen a few years ago don’t ask why but I’m 34 and recently traveled to US with my german passport and they were all like “wtf where is your passport” and I’m like: “Here…” and they “Yeah your american passport?!” and I’m “I’m german” and he is like: “Dude you are born on american ground you are american!”
Well they let me travel in to the states without american passport but told me to go to the embassy as soon as I arrive back in germany or else I won’t be able to enter USA again.
That being said, I done that. Now I have my american passport. But do I show both passports or only US passport? And after doing my research I found out americans file taxes every year. I haven’t done it the last 18 years of working. Should I just not file? I will never work in the USA and I will never live in the USA. Or will I get problems at the airport? Can they see I don’t file?
The US passport should probably be enough, as it shows that your are a US citizen, so free passage into US soil I think
I think the US you have to use your American one if you have it, no?
A lot of countries have that rule.
For entering and exiting the US you should have a US passport and travel using it. Bring your German passport with you for proof of citizenship once you enter Germany. It’s basically your visa, and dictates if you can enter the country and the permitted duration of stay. Passports are complicated, always do your research before travelling, or just call your carrier.
I worked as a check in agent in Australia for 2 years and we had zero issues with people carrying two passports with them. I’ve dealt with flights regarding Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, LAX, Ottawa and others, none of which I can recall anyone being pulled aside for carrying a second passport.
That said I’m not a border security officer, and it’s best to check with your origin/destination’s border security website, because I don’t know if that is an issue in some port I’m not familiar with.
I can imagine that some authorities might find it suspicious, but in OPs case, it is necessary to travel with both passports to have the least hassle.
Entering the US with your German passport or returning to Germany with your US passport if you have both will lead to a lot of questions as you won’t have the necessary visa in those passports.
Edit: Although I wouldn’t present both passports at the same time, only the one that is applicable or more convenient for wherever you are.
You can renounce your citizenship.
Or you can just hire a tax preparer to figure out your situation. See if they can consult with you virtually.
Apparently you’re still on the hook for all your taxes. But recently there were limits for the first $100k you earn, so you might owe nothing.
For earned income overseas, US grants a credit for income tax payed to a foreign government. So if you live overseas and work a job, and the country you live in has higher taxes than the US, you can end up owing no US tax. But you still have to file the tax return every year.
@Grogon@lemmy.world just file your missing years and include a letter explaining your situation and contact info.
Some paper clerk will pass it onto their supervisor who will pass it onto their supervisor who might send an auto generated letter or give you a phone call.
Ok, CPA here.
Don’t file anything without first talking to a tax accountant >with expat experience<. I don’t, but I have worked with some great people who do handle dual citizenship taxes. Happy to give names in a DM, but they are US-based. You might be able to find someone more convenient in Germany.
My first thought is a tiny nitpick: we’re now required to e-file except in certain situations, so no paper clerks involved, just databases. No one is looking, or you could pop out in a targeted search, or you could just get randomly selected for audit too (that’s an unfortunate reality). However, there are situations where citizens don’t have to file at all, if they make too little, for example. So the IRS isn’t looking for you because they’re not aware of you… yet. That changes with your first filing. See my next thought:
My second thought is don’t file ALL of your missing years. You may only need to file the last 7. The statute of limitations for IRS audit is 7 years. Technically it’s only 3 years and if they then find anything during an audit, they can look back up to 7, so you might be able to start with only the last 3 years. If you’re never selected for audit, congratulations, you saved yourself from having to file additional years. But the audit process is glacially slow. If… if… you get selected, you’ll first get a letter that gives you 30 days to respond. Go back to your tax preparer and work out a strategy for response.
If this turns into a giant debacle and pain in your wallet, I agree with others that you might consider renouncing your citizenship. **Again, seek advice of professionals before taking action. **
Could you figure out how to do this on your own, yes. Do you absolutely need a tax preparer, probably not. But your situation isn’t a simple one, and I truly feel their fees will be worth the advice and not having to file unnecessary years.
Leave Germany either your German passport. Enter the US with your US passport. Leave US with you US passport. Re-enter Germany with your German passport. Easy. Unless you are very wealthy the IRS aren’t going to come looking for you on a short stay.
I always carry all my passports when travelling. Gives you some options for embassies to flee to when shit hits the fan.
