Federal Tax Information for U.S. Taxpayers Living Abroad
All U.S. citizens or resident aliens must report and pay tax on their worldwide income, even if they live abroad.
Important Information on the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) for all U.S. Citizens Living Abroad: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/Joint-Foreign-Account-Tax-Compliance-FATCA-FAQ.html
Social Security Number – You must list the Social Security Number (SSN) of any person for whom you claim an exemption on your individual income tax return. If your dependent or spouse is not eligible to have an SSN, you must list an Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN) instead. You can apply for an SSN for a dependent at a Social Security office or a U.S. consulate. To apply, you must provide original or certified copies of documents to verify the dependent’s age, identity, and citizenship.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number – To apply for an ITIN, file Form W-7 and supporting documentation with the IRS.
Exchange Rates – You must report all income in U.S. Dollar equivalents. Exchange rates can be found on the “Foreign Currency and Currency Exchange Rates” page at www.irs.gov; keyword search term “exchange rates”.
International Taxpayer Service Call Center Contact My Local Office Internationally | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)
IRS.gov has online information on many topics concerning your income tax return:
- General Individual and Business Tax Information: Read the Frequently Asked Questions, browse the Main Index of Tax Topic Categories or use the Tax Trails – Main Menu information tool.
- File Your Tax Return Electronically: Many taxpayers abroad can use e-file. It’s quick, easy, and secure.
- Where to Send Paper Tax Returns: To find out where to send your payments and returns:
- Refund Information: Want to find out where your tax refund is?
- Do You Have a Foreign Financial Account? You may be required to report activity from foreign bank accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, trusts, or other foreign financial accounts for tax purposes. You may also be required to report foreign accounts on Form TD F 90-22.1 with the U.S. Treasury Department.
- Need Tax Forms and Publications: Find them on www.irs.gov.
The Embassy does not have the authority or the expertise to give advice on either the Cameroon or United States tax systems. You may wish to consult a tax professional and the Internal Revenue Service. Questions concerning individual federal income taxes may be addressed to:
IRS International Customer Service Site
Tel.: 1-215-516-2000 (6:00 am-11:00 am (EST) Mon-Fri)
Fax: 1-215-516-2555
(Topics’ Directory: 123) – (not toll free outside the U.S.)
Inquiries may be mailed to:
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 929, Bensalem, PA 19020 (USA)
RS forms & publications are available at: http://www.irs.gov/
DISCLAIMER: For those desiring a tax consulting firm you may choose to use the one listed here or any other that you desire. The U.S. Embassy Yaounde, Cameroon assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following firms. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy.
