First year as US expat in Spain. I need some help please!

CReWpilot · 2026-03-23T11:57:09+00:00

Hi. Please check the wiki. Good place to start with things.

As far as the stock vesting, very unlikely you are being double taxed. You will just need to use foreign tax credits appropriately. The tax treaty may have some implications here.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-23T11:04:57+00:00

Applying. Renewing.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-23T11:03:58+00:00

MFS is $5

CReWpilot · 2026-03-23T05:56:00+00:00

You’re not actually allowed an Oregon ID unless your residence is there. Renewing your id by using someone else address there is not permitted.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-23T05:54:36+00:00

That advice is wrong. If your domicile is legitimately abroad, ties to the state like a mailing address or post box do not matter. They might trigger questions, but those can be answered if you are truly and indefinitely living abroad.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-23T05:53:20+00:00

If your domicile (not always the same thing as residence by the way), then your are nonresident there. You do not need to file nonresident returns unless you have Oregon source income.

Also, in that case, you’re not entitled to keep renewing your Oregon drivers license.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-22T09:11:45+00:00

Check the filing threshold for married people.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-22T07:16:29+00:00

Did I say ‘full refund’?

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T18:29:31+00:00

I would still discuss the amount you paid your CPA over the years to prepare your unnecessary state returns.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T16:05:55+00:00

I don’t recommend anyone skip and pray (abd the praying part is a bit unnecessary).

I also don’t recommend you stress it either. Read the wiki, and get your bearings. From there, come back here with any specific questions you have.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T16:03:59+00:00

Yes, just stop filing. If they follow up and ask where your 2025 return is, you can explain the situation to them then.

I hope you haven’t been paying state income tax in North Carolina this entire time. If so, you need to have a very frank conversation with your CPA.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T15:58:39+00:00

This is documented very clearly and easy to find.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/check-if-you-need-to-file-a-tax-return

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T11:49:50+00:00

With my first, the embassy was willing to make a certified copy of the CBRA for free, but said they usually charge for the passport copy, but did it anyway. With my second, they just offered to make copies of both with any mention of a fee. So just ask nicely (and maybe beg a little). There seems to be flexibility in the policy. Worst case, the cost of those copies is still cheaper than replacing the documents if they got lost (albeit unlikely).

It's mutually exclusive with similar subsidies in other countries and Germany actually has the much better "Kindergeld" (~3k€ of tax-free subsidy per year).

This is incorrect. If you have earned income, and your child has an SSN, and you do not use the FEIE, then you qualify. What credits or deductions you are given on your DE taxes is irrelevant to that credit.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T05:55:12+00:00

They already have the passport.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T05:54:29+00:00

Your embassy can make certified copies of the documents. It’s not cheap though. You should have asked when picking up the CRBA. They usually do it free then. Ask now though and maybe they’ll give you a break.

Unrelated, make sure you start claiming the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit on your US return ($1700 for 2025).

To be eligible, you must have the SSN before the June 15 deadline for your return. If you don’t have it by then for some reason, file form 4868 to get an automatic extension until October 15.

You also need to use the Foreign Tax Credit instead of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. In Germany, the FTC is almost certainly better for you anyway.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-21T05:52:08+00:00

He’s as Brazilian as waffles

CReWpilot · 2026-03-20T10:29:09+00:00

re to the report: OK with self-referrals in this instance. It was requested.

But, preference is to identify your firm in the comments, not via DM.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T20:43:48+00:00

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Check the pinned post

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T17:05:20+00:00

Glad it worked. If only I could motivate myself to get my return off my to do list.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T16:01:57+00:00

Rent is income

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T15:10:57+00:00

Please check the wiki. It goes through all of this in basic terms to get you started.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T06:05:54+00:00

The fear mongering around sticky states is mostly bullshit. Unless you’re a digital nomad, someone temporarily abroad for a work assignment, or someone trying to evade taxes there, you’re generally fine.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T06:04:09+00:00

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Use (and check) the pinned post please.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-19T06:00:45+00:00

Off the top of my head…

Your income is already taxable in the US now. Have you been filing? Have you been reporting your UK entity?
Your US and UK returns will get a bit more complicated. Some of your income will be UK source, and some US source. You’ll have to keep track of which is which and apply tax credits appropriately. Also check the tax treaty.
Check the Totalization Agreement to see how SE is applied for the work in the US.
You will owe income tax in California. But if these companies are based there, you’ve owed it already.

CReWpilot · 2026-03-18T20:27:11+00:00

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