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Expat Tax

What is Form 2555?

IRS form used to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and/or the Foreign Housing Exclusion or Deduction.

Definition

Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income) is the IRS form US citizens and resident aliens use to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to $126,500 in 2024) and the Foreign Housing Exclusion or Deduction. To file this form, you must have foreign earned income, have a tax home in a foreign country, and meet either the Bona Fide Residence Test or Physical Presence Test.

Who Needs to Know This?

US citizens and resident aliens who live and work abroad and want to exclude foreign earned income from US taxation.

Key Deadline

Filed with annual tax return (April 15 or extension)

Potential Penalties

N/A - this form is for claiming benefits

Related Forms

Form 1040Form 8938FBAR

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • 1Not attaching required statement for first-time filers
  • 2Incorrectly calculating the housing exclusion
  • 3Including non-qualifying income (investments, pensions)
  • 4Not understanding the election to exclude is binding

Related Terms

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    Form 2555 Guide: Foreign Earned Income Exclusion | Zenith Financial | Zenith Financial Advisors