Filing U.S. taxes as a Spain resident and autónomo

[Carrie12345]

Do any U.S. citizens, residents in Spain and registered autónomos, have information about filing U.S. taxes?

I have come to understand that I need to declare the following to the IRS in the U.S.: my income earned as freelance as well as my income earned through any other contract jobs...as long as my total yearly income does not exceed $91,000 I am exempt from paying taxes in the U.S. on this money.  I need to prove that I pay into the Spain social security system to avoid paying a 15% "self-employment tax" in the U.S.

In addition I must tell them about any bank accounts/investments here in my name, especially those with more than $10,000.

What I´m interested in finding out is what documentation I need to include with my U.S. tax return and what papers if any need to be translated into English.  I have the equivalent to a W-2 for the jobs I had worked last year under a contract.  But I´m not sure what paperwork I need to submit for my freelance income.

Does anyone have experience with doing this legally?  Any advice?
Thanks in advance for your help!

[RebeccaG]

Hello Carrie,

I know the date is past...but for future reference you can always check at the US Embassy in Madrid or Consulate in Barcelona for tax assistance.

How did you make out this year?

Best,
Rebecca

[Carrie12345]

Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy in Madrid does not offer tax assistance. 

After more investigation, it´s a bit complicated but I think I´ve figured out all the paperwork I need to present.  I need a certificate of coverage from SS here in Spain, which would prove that I am exempt from paying SS tax on the same income in the U.S.  Unfortunately, the SS office here doesn´t know what I´m talking about.  So hopefully I can find out exactly what form I need to be able to explain it to our dear friends the helpful civil servants

The U.S. deadline isn´t until April 15th, so if I can get this together in time great, and if not, I´ll file for the 2 month extension.

Any more advice is very welcome!!

[RebeccaG]

Oh, right... I don't know where my head is sometimes.

What I can tell you is that as a US citizen residing in Spain, you are not obligated to pay taxes in the US unless your income here exeeds $75,000. What you need to do is to simply file the forms.

It's hard to give tax advice since everyone's situation is a little bit different. I am afraid that what I have file (being a business owner, homeowner and married) would not help you with what you would need to file. The US Embassy does have a list of recommended tax preparers (or at least it used to). Give them a call and see what they say.

Good luck and keep us posted!

-R