Section 911 FEIE: IRS COVID-19 Relief in Meeting the Bona Fide Residence or Physical Presence Test

Americans working abroad may be eligible to exclude certain foreign earned income (wages, compensation for services) from US taxable income under the rules governing the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE).  In addition they may be able to exclude certain amounts paid for foreign housing using the Foreign Housing Exclusion (FHE).  Both of these benefits are … Continue reading Section 911 FEIE: IRS COVID-19 Relief in Meeting the Bona Fide Residence or Physical Presence Test

IRS Provides CARES Act Guidance for Taxpayers with NOLs

As set out in detail in my earlier blog post, the CARES Act amended Internal Revenue Code section 172(b)(1) to provide for a carryback of any net operating loss (NOL) arising in a tax year beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2021, to each of the five tax years preceding the tax … Continue reading IRS Provides CARES Act Guidance for Taxpayers with NOLs

Buying Time – International Tax Forms & More…IRS Notice 2020-23 Expands Relief for US Tax Filings, Elections, Payments

On April  9th, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued IRS Notice 2020-23 providing extended tax filing, election and payment deadlines to a generous number of Forms. Generally speaking most tax returns, payments, and elections that are due from April 1, 2020 to July 15, 2020 are now automatically extended until July 15, 2020. This means there is … Continue reading Buying Time – International Tax Forms & More…IRS Notice 2020-23 Expands Relief for US Tax Filings, Elections, Payments

No FEIE/ Section 911 Exclusion – Taxpayers With a US “Abode”

With tax filing time looming, US taxpayers abroad should take heed when claiming the Section 911 “Foreign Earned Income” and “Foreign Housing Exclusion” benefits (FEIE).  Two recent cases show how easy it is to lose the FEIE benefits granted to qualifying taxpayers living and working in a foreign country. (My blog post here explains the … Continue reading No FEIE/ Section 911 Exclusion – Taxpayers With a US “Abode”

COVID-19 and Losses, Losses, Losses ….NOL Tax Relief from the CARES Act

On March 25, 2020, the Senate unanimously passed (96-0) the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) providing desperately needed relief to, among others, individuals and businesses suffering economic distress wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two days later, March 27, 2020, the House of Representatives passed the CARES Act by voice vote and President Trump signed … Continue reading COVID-19 and Losses, Losses, Losses ….NOL Tax Relief from the CARES Act

Extension Granted for Gift Tax Returns and Payments – No Extension for Form 3520

My earlier blog post detailed the extensions for filing and payment of US income taxes on account of the COVID-19 emergency.  Further relief was just granted on March 27 by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Notice 2020-20 to all taxpayers who have Federal gift (and generation-skipping transfer) tax returns and payments due on April … Continue reading Extension Granted for Gift Tax Returns and Payments – No Extension for Form 3520

Eating Out Again – Yes, the Day Will Come Back… Business Deductions for Entertainment and Meals

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, most everyone is staying home; entertainment and meals outside the home bubble are not on the agenda.  But, someday, life will return to normal and we will eat out again!  The economy will pick up and clients, prospective customers and associates will look to meet and enjoy a … Continue reading Eating Out Again – Yes, the Day Will Come Back… Business Deductions for Entertainment and Meals

Tax Filing and the Foreign Spouse – “Married Filing Separately” versus “Head of Household”

Tax filing time is upon us! Selecting the best tax filing status is an important element of tax planning and should not be taken lightly.  For US persons who are married to foreigners (so-called "nonresident alien individuals", or "NRA"), special considerations come into play.  Making the decision how to treat your foreign spouse for US … Continue reading Tax Filing and the Foreign Spouse – “Married Filing Separately” versus “Head of Household”