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Tax Reform Resource Center
by H2R CPA Team US taxpayers, both citizens and residents, are often surprised to learn that they need to pay taxes on all income earned whether generated in the US or abroad. This includes income that is earned while working overseas as an employee, independent contractor or from supplementary income sources such as investments, pensions or other such accounts. While paying taxes on income earned outside the US may seem unusual, it’s a reality that all taxpayers must comply with. The good news is that qualifying taxpayers living abroad can leverage the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which allows for a complete or partial exclusion of foreign income from taxes. To help you understand the exclusion and how it can benefit your situation, H2R CPA has provided a summary below. Who Qualifies? To exclude any overseas earnings from US taxation, you must:
Income Exclusions Generally, only an “earned” salary or business income from paid work or labor can be excluded from United States taxes while living abroad. You may also be entitled to exclude the value of meals and lodging provided by your employer from income. The foreign earned income exclusion does not cover passive income, such as rent, royalties, dividends and capital gains. It also doesn’t include:
It’s important to note that the exclusion can be claimed on foreign-earned self-employment income, but it only reduces regular income tax and doesn’t apply to the 15% self-employment tax. How Much Can Be Deducted? The foreign earned income exclusion is indexed annually for inflation. If you qualify for the 2017 tax year and earn $102,100 (up $800 from 2016) or less in wages, you will not have to pay federal income taxes. Both spouses can apply the exclusion individually, doubling the total possible benefit to $204,200 for qualifying households in 2017. Contact Us The tax laws regarding foreign income earned by a US citizen are complex and can be challenging to understand when taxes need to be paid to the IRS. For this reason, it’s important to work with a qualified tax advisor to help navigate this complex issue. If you have questions about the foreign earned income exclusion or need assistance with another international tax issue, H2R CPA can help. For additional information call us at 412-391-2920 or click here to contact us.
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