Get to know the authorAmericans living abroad have to file a US federal tax return and declare their worldwide income, and they may also be liable to pay US income tax.
One of the primary provisions that expats can use to exclude their income earned abroad from US tax liability is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
This lets Americans living abroad exclude the first around $110,000 of their foreign income, including self employment income, from US tax. The exact amount rises a little each year. The Exclusion should be claimed on form 2555, which should be attached to form 1040.
The Foreign Earned income Exclusion takes many US expats out of US tax liability altogether. It is only available to Americans living abroad though, and there are strict rules governing exactly who does and who doesn’t qualify.
Tests to qualify for the FEIE
To qualify for the FEIE, expats must pass one of two IRS tests: the Bona Fide Residence Test, or the Physical Presence Test. In this Article we’re going to focus on the Physical Presence Test.
Briefly, the Bona Fide Residence Test is better for expats who have settled in another country to the extent that they can prove their permanent residence there, such as by owning or renting a permanent home and paying foreign taxes in their country of residence.
What is the Physical Presence Test?
“The [Physical Presence] test does not depend on the kind of residence you establish, your intentions about returning to the United States, or the nature and purpose of your stay abroad.” – the IRS
The Physical Presence Test requires you to prove that you were outside the States and in a foreign country for 330 days in a twelve month period.
Each of the 330 days must be a full 24 hour day. This means that if you leave the States at 3am one morning, and arrive in Canada for example just an hour later, this day won’t count towards the 330 days, despite you having spent almost the entire day abroad. The only exception to this rule is if you are only in the US in transit, on your way from one foreign country to another.
This is also true for time spent over international waters, so for example if you leave the US on a flight at 11pm, and fly over international waters for several hours until you land in a foreign country at 7am the following morning, despite not having been in the US at all on the day you arrive, because the first few hours were spent over international waters it doesn’t count as a full day spend in another country. Neither do US overseas territories or possessions count as foreign countries
Moved abroad mid year?
Another interesting feature about the Physical Presence Test worth knowing is that the 330 days in the twelve month period don’t necessarily need to coincide with the tax year. So if for example you moved abroad on 31st March, having spent the first three months of the year in the US, you can start counting your days abroad from 1st April, claiming the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion from this date.
The only exception to the 330 day rule is if you are forced to leave a foreign country because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions in that country.
You must be able to show that you would have met the minimum time requirements abroad if not for the adverse conditions though.
Proving you met the Physical Presence Test
Note also that if you are claiming the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion using the Physical Presence Test, it’s worth making sure that you can prove your travel movements, and keeping the proof safe, in case of a future audit. You have to claim the FEIE and show you met the Physical Presence Test on Form 2555.
Who should use the Physical Presence Test?
Americans who spend most of the year abroad but can’t demonstrate permanent residence in one foreign country should use the Physical Presence Test, such as international digital nomads for example, who move from country to country.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion removes many US expats from US tax liability, so it’s worth ensuring that you meet the requirements to qualify, planning your trips to the States accordingly so as not to spend more than 35 days there if necessary. It doesn’t carry over to future years automatically, so you need to re-claim it every year. If you earn over around $110,000 it can also be claimed in conjunction with the Foreign Housing Exclusion, and the Foreign Tax Credit, both of which, if applicable to your situation, will reduce or hopefully eliminate any remaining US tax liability.
What if you didn’t know you have to file US taxes from abroad?
If you didn’t know you had to file US taxes from abroad, you can catch up without facing penalties using the Streamlined Procedure amnesty program, including claiming the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for your missed years. Seek advice if you have any questions.
