topic I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or working any in the US. QUESTION do I need to file taxes? in State tax filing

I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or working any in the US. QUESTION do I need to file taxes?

lindsay-galpin — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:26:40 GMT

Re: I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or...

MinhT1 — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:44:19 GMT

If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident, you are required to file a U.S. tax return to report your worldwide income.

Please read this TurboTax Help topic on how to report to report your foreign income.

Re: I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or...

lindsay-galpin — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:51:22 GMT

Thank you for the great help!! If I could ask one question more. If I have not filed due to my not thinking I had to for about 3 years will I be penalized? Is the IRS going to come get me, hahaha!

Re: I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or...

KarenM90 — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 19:15:41 GMT

There may be penalties and/or interest if you owed a balance on those returns. But, don't worry, they won't come and get you.

Here is a link to past years returns for Turbo Tax ( you can go back 3 years): TurboTax Past Years Program

Re: I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or...

lindsay-galpin — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:49:53 GMT

Bwaahaa, thanks!! SO would you advise to start this tax season in filing or wait until I get back to the states in 2021? You have been a great help and thank you very much!

Re: I live internationally working as a teacher in Honduras and not making any money in the US or...

ThomasM125 — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 20:51:13 GMT

You may be able to exclude $105,900 of income you earn per year while out of the country from taxation. If it turns out you do not owe any income tax because of the exclusion, you will not be penalized for not filing your tax return.

But technically you are required to file a federal tax return to report your income and apply for the exclusion.