I get an exemption on foreign income I earn outside of the US up to $80,000 I believe, right? Well, what if I have to return to the states a couple times and wind up in the US like 45 or 60 days in the year. Is there a 14 or 30 day limit to how many days I can come back to the states and still remain an American abroad for tax purposes?
You can claim the foreign earned income exclusion under either of two rules: the bona fide resident rule or the physical presence rule. If you are a bona fide resident of a foreign country for a period that includes one full tax year, the number of days in the US does not affect the eligibility for the exclusion. It may affect the amount of exclusion but not the privilege on taking it. If you are not a bona fide resident, you can qualify by being outside the US for 335 days during ANY 12 MONTH PERIOD. That is 12 months from the starting date, NOT a calendar year. If the 12 month period is not a calendar year, you get a partial exclusion for each of the years involved. If you do not understand the rules, I suggest you seek professional help from some one who does. As you have found out, the rules appear simple but, in fact, application can be quite complex. Lanny K. Williams, CPA Nawarat, Williams & Co., Ltd. Income Tax Services for Expatriate Americans
You have to be in a foreign country for 330 days or more out of a consecutive 365 day period.
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