I am an american citizen living in Colombia, South America since January 2016. My income for that year was US$8.500, do I need to file income taxes?

[cedoram1]

I am an american citizen living in Colombia, South America since January 2016. My income for that year was US$8.500, do I need to file income taxes? 

[TaxGuyBill]

Can anybody claim you as a dependent (how old are you)?
Is that your Gross income?
What type of income is it?  Employee?  Self Employment?  Something else?

[cedoram1]

Thank you for your response. No, nobody can claim me as a dependent. I'm 60 years old. That was my gross income translated to dollars. I am an employee.

[TaxGuyBill · Accepted solution]

No, you are not required to file a tax return.

However, you may consider doing so anyways.  It will start the window to close the Statute of Limitations that the IRS can question you about that year, and it will reduce the chances that a thief will try to file a fake tax return in your name.

[cedoram1]

Thank you again. I'll follow your advise and I'll file it any way. Can efile it?

[TaxGuyBill]

For your 2016 tax return, you can no longer e-file those through TurboTax.  Also, you can only use the CD/downloaded version.

For 2017, yes, you should be able to e-file it.  Although the CD/downloaded versions are better, in your case you may want to use the Online version to use the "free" version, or better yet, the "freedom" version.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/">https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/</a>

[cedoram1]

Great ... thank you!

[xmasbaby0]

Freedom Edition will be available for 2017 in January of 2018: Try the Freedom Edition:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom">https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom</a>
You qualify if your income was $33,000 or less, or $64,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-freedom-edition">https://ttlc....>