Individuals that are U.S. citizens or resident aliens of the United States living abroad are taxed on their income by more than one governmental entity. However, these taxpayers may qualify to exclude from their income an amount of their foreign earnings (adjusted annually for inflation) under I.R.C. § 911. They may also be eligible for either a foreign housing exclusion or the foreign housing deduction (this will be discussed in a future blog). To determine eligibility to claim either the foreign earned income exclusion, the foreign earned housing deduction or foreign earned housing exclusion, please consider the following analysis. Remember, that an experienced tax professional can offer assistance in making this analysis.
A Primer for US Taxpayers Residing Abroad
Here’s a primer for United States taxpayers residing abroad:
U.S. citizens must file a tax return. Any U.S. citizen who earns income of any kind is obligated to file a U.S. tax return every year, no matter where he or she resides in the world. Many Americans, living abroad and in the U.S., find it unfair that the United States is the only country that requires citizens to file tax returns whether or not they are earning income on U.S. shores. This is a leading reason why some Americans are renouncing their U.S. citizenship.