The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued Rev. Proc. 2020-14 which provides guidance to US taxpayers living abroad, including some information relevant individuals their 2019 federal tax return.
US taxpayers working overseas remain subject to federal taxation on their worldwide income. One mechanism to mitigate federal taxation on overseas earnings is to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Housing Exclusion on Form 2555 in an annual tax return.
Individuals with a tax home overseas and who qualify under either the bona fide resident test or physical presence test can exclude up to $105,900 of income from their 2019 federal taxable income.
Taxpayers who may otherwise qualify under these tests but have to leave a foreign country because of adverse circumstances, such as war and civil unrest, may have the time requirements waived. Revenue Procedure 2020-14 identified the following as countries where this time waiver applies for 2019 tax filings with dates of departure on or after:
US taxpayers working overseas should review whether the guidance impacts their 2019 taxes and filings and plan accordingly.
The IRS also notes they are monitoring developments arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and may issue guidance for 2020 tax filings in due course.
Further updates and US tax hot-topics can be found at www.grantthornton.com or follow the link below for more tax changes affecting internationally mobile employees.