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Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for US Expats

Even if you’ve moved abroad for a brighter future, you still might have obligations towards the IRS. What happens if you earn income from sources outside the United States? If you live abroad, you might qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion (FEIE). This article explains what FEIE is and how it works, and provides some examples of situations where you might benefit from claiming it.

The U.S. retains its right to tax citizens and Green Card holders who live abroad and they must file their taxes even if they’re not physically present in the country. The foreign earned income exclusion (FEIE) allows U.S. taxpayers to exclude from their taxable income certain amounts they earn outside the United States. The FEIE was created in 1954 to relive American Citizens from the burden of double taxation when they move overseas.

WHAT IS THE FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION?

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is an IRS exclusion that American expats can use to reduce their taxable income (or in some cases completely eliminate) i.e. their U.S. tax owing. It is the most common and the most widely used tool to reduce US expat tax owing that the IRS offers.

You don’t automatically receive the benefit of FEIE by just living abroad — you must meet specific qualifications which we will discuss later and submit the Form 2555.

HOW MUCH FOREIGN EARNED INCOME CAN YOU EXCLUDE?

U.S. citizens and resident aliens who meet certain requirements to exclude up to $120,000 of foreign-earned income in 2023 (The FEIE is adjusted every year for inflation). If used correctly, the FEIE can help you save thousands of dollars on your US taxes.

The maximum exclusion for 2024 is $126,500. If you’re filing under the married filing jointly status and your spouse also meets the FEIE requirements, you can exclude up to $253,000 of your foreign income in 2024.

FILING FOR THE FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION: A GUIDE FOR MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded American taxpayers living and working outside the U.S. to file their 2022 federal income tax return by Thursday, June 15. This deadline applies to both U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad, including those with dual citizenship.

Qualifying For The June 15 Extension

A taxpayer qualifies for the June 15 filing deadline if:

Both their tax home and abode are outside the United States or Puerto Rico, or
They are serving in the military outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico on the regular due date of their tax return.
Qualifying taxpayers should attach a statement to the return indicating which of these two situations applies.

File To Claim Benefits

Many taxpayers living outside the U.S. qualify for tax benefits, such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit, but they are available only if a U.S. return is filed.

In addition, the IRS encourages families to check out expanded tax benefits, such as the Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents and Credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses, and claim them if they qualify. Though taxpayers abroad often qualify, the calculation of these credits differs depending upon whether they lived in the U.S. for more than half of 2022. For more information, see the instructions to Schedule 8812, Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents , and the instructions to Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.
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Written by TaxConnections Admin | Posted in Expat Tax Expert • IRS Notice