Citizens or residents of the United States living abroad
Exclusion from gross income
At the election of a qualified individual (made separately with respect to paragraphs (1) and (2)), there shall be excluded from the gross income of such individual, and exempt from taxation under this subtitle, for any taxable year—
the foreign earned income of such individual, and
the housing cost amount of such individual.
Foreign earned income
Definition
For purposes of this section—
In general
Certain amounts not included in foreign earned income
The foreign earned income for an individual shall not include amounts—
received as a pension or annuity,
paid by the United States or an agency thereof to an employee of the United States or an agency thereof,
included in gross income by reason of section 402(b) (relating to taxability of beneficiary of nonexempt trust) or section 403(c) (relating to taxability of beneficiary under a nonqualified annuity), or
received after the close of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the services to which the amounts are attributable are performed.
Limitation on foreign earned income
In general
Attribution to year in which services are performed
Treatment of community income
Exclusion amount
In general
Inflation adjustment
In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2005, the $80,000 amount in clause (i) shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of—
such dollar amount, and
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “2004” for “1992” in subparagraph (B) thereof.
If any increase determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $100, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $100.
Housing cost amount
For purposes of this section—
In general
The term “housing cost amount” means an amount equal to the excess of—
the housing expenses of an individual for the taxable year to the extent such expenses do not exceed the amount determined under paragraph (2), over
an amount equal to the product of—
16 percent of the amount (computed on a daily basis) in effect under subsection (b)(2)(D) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins, multiplied by
the number of days of such taxable year within the applicable period described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (d)(1).
Limitation
In general
The amount determined under this paragraph is an amount equal to the product of—
30 percent (adjusted as may be provided under subparagraph (B)) of the amount (computed on a daily basis) in effect under subsection (b)(2)(D) for the calendar year in which the taxable year of the individual begins, multiplied by
the number of days of such taxable year within the applicable period described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (d)(1).
Regulations
Housing expenses
In general
The term “housing expenses” means the reasonable expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year by or on behalf of an individual for housing for the individual (and, if they reside with him, for his spouse and dependents) in a foreign country. The term—
includes expenses attributable to the housing (such as utilities and insurance), but
does not include interest and taxes of the kind deductible under section 163 or 164 or any amount allowable as a deduction under section 216(a).
Housing expenses shall not be treated as reasonable to the extent such expenses are lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.
Second foreign household
In general
Separate household for spouse and dependents
If an individual maintains a separate abode outside the United States for his spouse and dependents and they do not reside with him because of living conditions which are dangerous, unhealthful, or otherwise adverse, then—
the words “if they reside with him” in subparagraph (A) shall be disregarded, and
the housing expenses incurred with respect to such abode shall be taken into account under paragraph (1).
Special rules where housing expenses not provided by employer
In general
Limitation
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the limitation of this subparagraph is the excess of—
the foreign earned income of the individual for the taxable year, over
the amount of such income excluded from gross income under subsection (a) for the taxable year.
1-year carryover of housing amounts not allowed by reason of subparagraph (B)
In general
Limitation
For purposes of clause (i), the limitation of this clause for any taxable year is the excess of—
the limitation of subparagraph (B) for such taxable year, over
amounts treated as a deduction under subparagraph (A) for such taxable year.
Employer provided amounts
Foreign earned income
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
Qualified individual
The term “qualified individual” means an individual whose tax home is in a foreign country and who is—
a citizen of the United States and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that he has been a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire taxable year, or
a citizen or resident of the United States and who, during any period of 12 consecutive months, is present in a foreign country or countries during at least 330 full days in such period.
Earned income
In general
Taxpayer engaged in trade or business
Tax home
Waiver of period of stay in foreign country
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an individual who—
is a bona fide resident of, or is present in, a foreign country for any period,
leaves such foreign country after
during any period during which the Secretary determines, after consultation with the Secretary of State or his delegate, that individuals were required to leave such foreign country because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions in such foreign country which precluded the normal conduct of business by such individuals, and
before meeting the requirements of such paragraph (1), and
establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such individual could reasonably have been expected to have met such requirements but for the conditions referred to in clause (i) of subparagraph (B),
shall be treated as a qualified individual with respect to the period described in subparagraph (A) during which he was a bona fide resident of, or was present in, the foreign country, and in applying subsections (b)(2)(A), (c)(1)(B)(ii), and (c)(2)(A)(ii) with respect to such individual, only the days within such period shall be taken into account.
Test of bona fide residence
If—
an individual who has earned income from sources within a foreign country submits a statement to the authorities of that country that he is not a resident of that country, and
such individual is held not subject as a resident of that country to the income tax of that country by its authorities with respect to such earnings,
then such individual shall not be considered a bona fide resident of that country for purposes of paragraph (1)(A).
Denial of double benefits
Aggregate benefit cannot exceed foreign earned income
Limitation on income earned in restricted country
In general
If travel (or any transaction in connection with such travel) with respect to any foreign country is subject to the regulations described in subparagraph (B) during any period—
the term “foreign earned income” shall not include any income from sources within such country attributable to services performed during such period,
the term “housing expenses” shall not include any expenses allocable to such period for housing in such country or for housing of the spouse or dependents of the taxpayer in another country while the taxpayer is present in such country, and
an individual shall not be treated as a bona fide resident of, or as present in, a foreign country for any day during which such individual was present in such country during such period.
Regulations
For purposes of this paragraph, regulations are described in this subparagraph if such regulations—
have been adopted pursuant to the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.),1
include provisions generally prohibiting citizens and residents of the United States from engaging in transactions related to travel to, from, or within a foreign country.
Exception
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations providing rules—
for cases where a husband and wife each have earned income from sources outside the United States, and
for married individuals filing separate returns.
Election
In general
Revocation
Determination of tax liability
In general
If, for any taxable year, any amount is excluded from gross income of a taxpayer under subsection (a), then, notwithstanding sections 1 and 55—
if such taxpayer has taxable income for such taxable year, the tax imposed by section 1 for such taxable year shall be equal to the excess (if any) of—
the tax which would be imposed by section 1 for such taxable year if the taxpayer’s taxable income were increased by the amount excluded under subsection (a) for such taxable year, over
the tax which would be imposed by section 1 for such taxable year if the taxpayer’s taxable income were equal to the amount excluded under subsection (a) for such taxable year, and
if such taxpayer has a taxable excess (as defined in section 55(b)(1)(A)(ii)) for such taxable year, the amount determined under the first sentence of section 55(b)(1)(A)(i) for such taxable year shall be equal to the excess (if any) of—
the amount which would be determined under such sentence for such taxable year (subject to the limitation of section 55(b)(3)) if the taxpayer’s taxable excess (as so defined) were increased by the amount excluded under subsection (a) for such taxable year, over
the amount which would be determined under such sentence for such taxable year if the taxpayer’s taxable excess (as so defined) were equal to the amount excluded under subsection (a) for such taxable year.
For purposes of this paragraph, the amount excluded under subsection (a) shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of any deductions or exclusions disallowed under subsection (d)(6) with respect to such excluded amount.
Special rules
Regular tax
In applying section 1(h) for purposes of determining the tax under paragraph (1)(A)(i) for any taxable year in which, without regard to this subsection, the taxpayer’s net capital gain exceeds taxable income (hereafter in this subparagraph referred to as the capital gain excess)—
the taxpayer’s net capital gain (determined without regard to section 1(h)(11)) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by such capital gain excess,
the taxpayer’s qualified dividend income shall be reduced by so much of such capital gain excess as exceeds the taxpayer’s net capital gain (determined without regard to section 1(h)(11) and the reduction under clause (i)), and
adjusted net capital gain, unrecaptured section 1250 gain, and 28-percent rate gain shall each be determined after increasing the amount described in section 1(h)(4)(B) by such capital gain excess.
Alternative minimum tax
In applying section 55(b)(3) for purposes of determining the tax under paragraph (1)(B)(i) for any taxable year in which, without regard to this subsection, the taxpayer’s net capital gain exceeds the taxable excess (as defined in section 55(b)(1)(A)(ii))—
the rules of subparagraph (A) shall apply, except that such subparagraph shall be applied by substituting “the taxable excess (as defined in section 55(b)(1)(A)(ii))” for “taxable income”, and
the reference in section 55(b)(3)(B) to the excess described in section 1(h)(1)(B), and the reference in section 55(b)(3)(C)(ii) to the excess described in section 1(h)(1)(C)(ii), shall each be treated as a reference to each such excess as determined under the rules of subparagraph (A) for purposes of determining the tax under paragraph (1)(A)(i).
Definitions
Cross references
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 289; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 72(b),Notes
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
References in Text
Amendments
“In the case of taxable years beginning in: | The annual rate is: |
|---|---|
1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987 | $80,000 |
1988 | 85,000 |
1989 | 90,000 |
1990 and thereafter | 95,000.” |
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment; Election of Prior Law
General Rule.—
Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the amendments made by this title [see section 201(a) of Pub. L. 95–615, set out as a Short Title of 1978 Amendment note under section 1 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Wage Withholding.—
The amendment made by section 207(a) [amending section 3401 of this title] shall apply to remuneration paid after the date of the enactment of this Act. [
Election of Prior Law.—
A taxpayer may elect not to have the amendments made by this title [see section 201(a) of Pub. L. 95–615, set out as a Short Title of 1978 Amendment note under section 1 of this title] apply with respect to any taxable year beginning after
An election under this subsection shall be filed with a taxpayer’s timely filed return for the first taxable year beginning after
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
received after
received after
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Repeals
Treatment of Certain Persons in Panama
Taxable Years Beginning in 1977 or 1978; Individuals Who Leave Foreign Country After August 31, 1978
Individuals for Whom Unused Zero Bracket Amount Computation Is Provided for Taxable Years Beginning in 1977
“If for any taxable year beginning in 1977—
an individual is entitled to the benefits of section 911 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], and
such individual chooses to take to any extent the benefits of section 901 of such Code,
then such individual shall be treated for such taxable year as an individual for whom an unused zero bracket amount computation is provided by section 63(e) of such Code.”
Reports to Congressional Committees; Information From Federal Agencies
General Rule.—
As soon as practicable after
Information From Federal Agencies.—
Each agency of the Federal Government which pays allowances excludable from gross income under section 912 of such Code shall keep such records and furnish to the Secretary of the Treasury such information as he determines to be necessary to carry out his responsibility under subsection (a).”