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Many United States citizens earn money from foreign sources. These taxpayers must remember that they must report all such income on their tax return, unless it is exempt under federal law.
U.S. citizens are taxed on their worldwide income. This applies whether a person lives inside or outside the United States. The foreign income rule also applies regardless of whether or not the person receives a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or a Form 1099 (information return).
Foreign source income includes earned and unearned income, such as:
- Wages and tips
- Interest
- Dividends
- Capital Gains
- Pensions
- Rents
- Royalties
An important point to remember is that citizens living outside the U.S. may be able to exclude up to $87,600 of their 2008 foreign source income if they meet certain requirements. If married and both individuals work abroad and both meet either the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test, each one can choose the foreign earned income exclusion. Together, they can exclude as much as $175,200 for the 2008 tax year. However, the exclusion does not apply to payments made by the U.S. government to its civilian or military employees living outside the U.S.
Call us for more information, or check out IRS Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad. |
