Form 8858 for U.S. Expats Self-Employed Abroad
Table of Contents
The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires U.S. citizens with foreign business ownership or operations to submit Form 8858. This form, officially termed as the ‘Information Return of U.S. Persons with Respect to Foreign Disregarded Entities (FDEs) and Foreign Branches (FBs) ensures tax compliance for U.S. individuals involved in international self-employment.
The specifics of your situation will determine whether it’s necessary for you to fill out Form 8858. In case you have ownership over a Foreign Disregarded Entity (FDE) or if you’re managing a Foreign Branch (FB)—both are forms of foreign self-employment—Form 8858 becomes a requirement.
You may be wondering what a Foreign Disregarded Entity or a Foreign Branch is
In plain terms, these are legal entities or parts of legal entities that are distinct from you, the taxpayer, but are not taxed separately from their owners. The concept may appear complicated, but consider this: If you are a self-employed contractor in Spain, the firm that creates the money is different from you as a person, but it is not separate from you when it comes to paying taxes.
You must file Form 8858 if you are a U.S. person who controls a Foreign Disregarded Entity or a Foreign Branch that receives income from commercial activities. This means that if you supply any commercial services from outside the United States, you must record the money obtained on Form 8858.
What if I have two or more business activities?
Sarah is a finance blogger who also teaches yoga in the evenings and on weekends. Because the business activities are not the same, Sarah must file two 8858s, one for each.
David is a pool cleaner who also works as a contractor for a commercial swimming pool center during the weekdays. David cleans private pools on the weekends. Because the business activity is comparable, David can file one 8858.
Furthermore, Form 8858 isn’t limited to reporting a specific kind of income. Whether it’s income from sales, service charges, or otherwise, as long as it’s generated through your FDE or FB, it should be reported via Form 8858.
One crucial thing to remember about Form 8858 is that it’s not a separate document. Depending on your circumstances, it should accompany your income tax return, partnership return, or exempt organization return. If you find these tax matters a bit confusing, it might be beneficial to engage a tax professional who can offer personalized guidance.
Foreign Self-Employment Income
Foreign self-employment income is a distinct category. Typically, it’s income generated from running your own business or from working as an independent contractor overseas, rather than income from an employer. If you, as a U.S. person, own a foreign business entity or manage a foreign branch, the income from such operations would fall under the realm of self-employment income and must be reported on Form 8858.
The following may be considered self-employment income:
- Profits from the sale of goods or services
- Earnings from freelance or consulting roles
- Rental income if you are actively involved in property management
Filling Out Form 8858
Form 8858 requires detailed information about your foreign self-employment ventures. Starting with personal identification details like your name and tax identification number, the form covers a comprehensive range of information.
This includes:
- The name, address, and tax identification number of your foreign business entity or branch.
- Detailed financial information like income, deductions, and net profit or loss for your business or branch.
- Information about the assets and liabilities of the entity or branch.
- Details of transactions between the foreign disregarded entity or branch and its owners or related entities.
One common query is whether deductions or expenses related to foreign self-employment income can be claimed on Form 8858. The answer is yes! Similar to domestically self-employed individuals, necessary and ordinary business expenses incurred in earning your self-employment income can be deducted.
These expenses could include:
- Cost of goods sold
- Rent or lease expenses
- Salaries and wages paid to employees
- Professional fees such as legal or accounting services
- Depreciation and amortization of business assets
These expenses must be properly documented, and detailed records and receipts should be maintained in case of any future scrutiny by the IRS.
Given the complexities involved in Form 8858, it’s common for U.S. expats to find it challenging. It’s important to understand not only U.S. tax law but also the tax and business laws of the foreign country where the self-employment income is earned. If this sounds like a complicated task, don’t hesitate to consult a tax professional who specializes in international taxation.
I want to know more about US taxes abroad
Unique Requirements of Form 8858
Form 8858 has some unique reporting requirements. For instance, you must report all transactions between yourself and your foreign entity or branch. This includes any monetary transactions or transfers of property. Furthermore, you’re required to report your foreign entity’s assets, income, liabilities, and equity, even if they’re not directly related to your self-employment income.
To calculate and report your net self-employment income on Form 8858:
- Determine your total business income.
- Calculate your necessary and ordinary business expenses.
- Subtract the total expenses from the total income to get your net self-employment income.
This net self-employment income should be reported on Form 8858 in U.S. dollars, using the average exchange rate for the tax year.
Multiple Country Income Reporting
There is no minimum income threshold for filing Form 8858. Regardless of the amount of income, if you own a foreign disregarded entity or a branch of a foreign entity, you are required to file this form.
If you have self-employment income from different foreign countries, Form 8858 can be used to report all of them. However, a separate Form 8858 should be filed for each foreign entity or branch.
If you have income from multiple foreign countries, seeking advice from a tax professional can be beneficial. They can guide you through the intricacies, help you fulfill all reporting requirements, and potentially avoid penalties due to inaccurate or incomplete reporting.
Considerations for Shareholders in Controlled Foreign Corporations (CFC)
If you’re a U.S. expat with significant holdings in a CFC, you may need to comply with additional filing requirements and potentially face more tax liabilities. You may have to file Form 5471, ‘Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations’, especially if you own over 50% of the total value or combined voting power of the foreign corporation’s stock.
You can claim foreign tax credits or exclusions for your foreign self-employment income on Form 8858. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) allows for a certain amount of your foreign-earned income to be excluded from U.S. taxation. Meanwhile, the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) can offset the taxes paid to foreign governments. These are reported on different forms, not directly on Form 8858, and they come with their own set of restrictions and limitations.
Filing Specifics
When filing Form 8858, all amounts reported on U.S. tax returns must be in U.S. dollars. The IRS provides yearly average exchange rates, but in many cases, it’s appropriate to use the exchange rate prevailing when income was received or expenses were paid.
Form 8858 should be filed alongside your federal tax return. Due to the complexities of international taxation, it’s important to ensure accuracy in reporting, as errors can trigger
audits or result in fines and penalties. Remember, the deadline for filing Form 8858 aligns with your individual or business income tax return’s due date. However, if you are a U.S. citizen or resident living abroad, you may qualify for an automatic two-month extension.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The consequences of not filing Form 8858 when required can be severe. Non-compliance penalties begin at $10,000 for each tax year, and if the information is not provided within 90 days after the IRS mails a notice, additional penalties can apply. Continuous failure to provide the necessary information can lead to even higher penalties.
Leveraging Expertise: Engage a Tax Professional
Because international tax law is complex and mistakes can result in substantial penalties, it’s often beneficial to seek assistance from a professional who specializes in U.S. taxation for expats. They can guide you through the process of completing and filing Form 8858, assist in gathering necessary documentation, and provide advice to help you minimize your U.S. tax liability while ensuring compliance with all U.S. tax regulations.
Resources to Help You Along
For additional assistance, the IRS website is a valuable resource. It provides the most current forms, instructions, and information about exchange rates, filing deadlines, and more. The IRS also offers the International Taxpayer service which answers questions about international individual and business tax issues.
The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we aim to provide helpful and accurate information, we make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained here or linked to from this material.
Always get professional advice from a US international tax specialist.
We offer professional, tailored tax advice. Click here for more information.
