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Can I claim the EIC (earned income credit) if being abroad for 1 year?

I am self-employed USC and I am having some doubts about claiming EIC. In IRS publication one of rules for claiming EIC is that ?You must be a US citizen or resident alien all year?.

My residence is in US where I maintain apartment and receive my entire bank, credit card statements, payments etc. I do freelancing for companies in US.

Last year I was almost one year out of US traveling and visiting relatives abroad, but I do not have any other residence beside one in US. While being abroad I did freelancing for my clients in US as I work online.

I am not sure am I resident or non-resident for tax purposes and I am confused about bona fide residence and physical presence.

Can I claim EIC or not?

Reply to
Jason account
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You already answered this as you said you were a US citizen. You have therefore passed the first prong of the test as to whether you may be eligible for the EITC.

If you file a return and claim the foreign earned income or foreign housing exclusion (Either Form 2555 or 2555-EZ) you are not eligible for the EITC.

All of the other criteria can be found by using the IRS EOTC Assistant at:

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Reply to
Alan

No.

See IRS Publication 596. Whether or not you wish to claim EIC based on an EIC qualifying child, you must pass the residency test, That means living in the United States more than half the year.

Reply to
Arthur Kamlet

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