An official website of the United States Government (NON-Prod - Development Environment)If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you’re in the United States or abroad. No matter where you live, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. tax.
To understand and fulfill your tax responsibilities as a U.S. Citizen and resident alien living abroad, there are a few things you need to do:
Taxes for citizens and resident aliens living abroad can be complex. The IRS’s main publication for citizens abroad is Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad – be sure to reference that publication for details to figure out your particular situation.
The IRS’s main publication for citizens and resident aliens abroad is Publication 54,Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad
Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file a U.S. income tax return.
You generally need to file a return if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status.
For example, for 2019 someone filing as single would have to file if their gross income was at least $12,200. For someone filing as married, filing jointly, the amount was $24,400.
These amounts change each year, and can be found in Publication 54, under Filing Requirements.
Note: If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, you must file a return even if your gross income is below the amount listed for your filing status.
Depending on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), you may be able to file electronically with the IRS using Free File Fillable Forms or with commercial tax software.
If you are a bona fide resident of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico for the entire tax year, you’ll probably have to file a tax return with the tax department of one of these territories. Go to that tax department for forms and advice, not the IRS. Additional information is available in Chapter 1 of IRS Publication 54
NOTE: You must report all income in U.S. dollars on your return. If you receive all or part of your income, or pay some or all of your expenses in foreign currency, you‘ll need to translate those amounts into dollars.
Make sure you have what you need to file
You need a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file a return. Anyone you claim as a dependent on your return also needs an SSN or ITIN.
Automatic extensions
If you are living overseas, you may have an automatic extension. See “How will this affect me?” for more details.
Although you’re required to report your worldwide income on your U.S. income tax return, you may qualify to exclude some of your foreign earned income from tax under the foreign earned income exclusion.
A note about Foreign Earned Income: Foreign earned income is wages, salaries, professional fees, and other compensation received for personal services you performed in a foreign country, no matter where or how you are paid, as long as your tax home is in a foreign country and you meet either the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test . Any compensation you make from work that is performed outside the US is income from a foreign source, even if it is deposited to a US bank and your employer is located in the US.
The amount of foreign earned Income that can be excluded is adjusted annually for inflation.
Chapter 4 of IRS Publication 54 has a good discussion and covers all the requirements.
The exclusion is for housing considered paid with employer-provided amounts. The deduction is for housing paid with self-employment earnings.
Housing expenses include things like rent, utilities (other than phone charges), and real and personal property insurance.
A detailed list of housing expenses is included in IRS Publication 54.
If you paid or accrued foreign taxes to a foreign country on foreign source income and are subject to U.S. tax on the same income, you may be able to take either a credit or an itemized deduction for those taxes.
However, you can’t take a foreign tax credit for taxes on income you excluded under the foreign earned income exclusion or the foreign housing exclusion.
Automatic Extensions
If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien residing overseas, or are in the military on duty outside the U.S., you’re allowed an automatic 2-month extension from the regular due date of your return to file your income tax return and pay any amount due.
The IRS office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania provides international tax assistance. This office is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. GMT):
(267) 941-1000 (not toll-free)If your IRS problem is causing you financial hardship, you’ve tried repeatedly and aren’t receiving a response from the IRS, or you feel your taxpayer rights are not being respected, consider contacting Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).
You may be eligible for representation from an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent (EA) associated with a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITCs may also provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language.
Browse common tax issues and situations at Get Help.
