Dual Citizenship US & New Zealand

[Firefighter1466]

I have been considering dual citizenship between the United States and New Zealand for some time. How would filing taxes work if I own property in New Zealand, but actually work in the United States?

[Dell]

I'll be living in NZ for 7 months, the U.S. for 5 months, but earning the majority of my income $$ in the U.S. I'm still in the process of getting the answers but it's my understanding that you declare tax residency in the country where you spend the most time. NZ & US have a tax agreement. If you file and pay taxes in NZ, then you also must file in U.S. but you don't pay in the U.S.

[Firefighter1466]

Great to know, I really hope this is the case. However, I'll be earning 90% if not all of my money in the United States staying in an apartment when working, and going to NZ on my weeks off. (The type of schedule I work gives me several days if not weeks off at a time). So I would pay income tax in US and file in both?

[Dell]

It's my understanding that if you are 'visiting' (even if you own a house in NZ) and you aren't a permanent resident, you pay tax in the U.S and wouldn't even have to file in NZ....but I'm guessing on the last bit.

[Firefighter1466]

Oh, well I was hoping to become a dual citizen, but if I can own property and just visit every few weeks that would be great.

[Dell]

I could be completely wrong! Better check into it. If you aren't a resident or citizen, you can only be in NZ for about 6 months of each year...and I think there are limits as to what you can buy. You can buy a house and the size of land you can buy is restricted.

[Dell]

There's some old info on this link: http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/arch...php/t-203.html

[Dell]

http://www.queenstownproperty.com/ta...formation.html

This has a lot of info!

[JandM]

http://www.ird.govt.nz/yoursituation...tax-residency/ Here is the NZ Inland Revenue talking about tax residency. You can contact them through the website and ask specific questions about your planned situation.

[Dell]

Many thanks!