I don’t make (a lot of) money; do I still need to report to the USA?
Yes. Even if you have no earnings, it does not always dismiss you from filing taxes in the US; it will most likely result in you not paying any tax.
Basically, you have to file an IRS Form 1040 for the previous year if your income was above a certain threshold. These thresholds are the same as for US residents. For tax year 2020 (filing in 2021) the thresholds (total yearly income) are:
| Status | Under 65 | 65 or older |
|---|---|---|
| You are single (unmarried) | $12,400 | $14,050 |
| You are married filing jointly | $24,800 | $26,100 |
| You are married filing separately | $12,400 | $14,050 |
| You are filing as “Head of household” | $18,650 | $20,300 |
| You are a widow or widower with dependent child | $24,800 | $26,100 |
Self-employed: If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, you must file a return even if your gross income is below the amount listed for your filing status in the table shown above.
Important note: Certain government subsidies such as child benefits, unemployment benefits, and subsidies are regarded by the US as reportable income that might make you reach the filing threshold.
