Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: the complete guide (opens in new tab)
Main guide. Who qualifies, how much you can exclude, how it interacts with the Foreign Tax Credit, and how to claim it on Form 2555.
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, done right for you
Exclude up to $130,000 of foreign earned income. We check whether FEIE or the Foreign Tax Credit saves you more, then file Form 2555 with your return.
- 15+ years international US tax only
- 25,000+ returns filed
- 182 countries
- 4.8 rating on Google
What we do for your FEIE
The exclusion is only one of two ways to avoid double tax. We make sure you use the right one, qualify cleanly, and file it correctly.
FEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit
We run both scenarios for your situation. High-tax country? The credit often wins. Low-tax country or nomad? The exclusion usually does. You get the number, not a guess.
Presence or residence test
We track your 330 days, pick the best 12-month window, and document bona fide residence so the exclusion holds up if the IRS asks.
Form 2555 and the housing exclusion
We prepare Form 2555 with your return, add the foreign housing exclusion where it applies, and avoid the mistakes that revoke FEIE for five years.
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Both calls are with our team, not a call center. You can always start free.
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- 5 languages
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Frequently asked questions
Collapsed content for Who qualifies for the FEIE?
You need a tax home in a foreign country and must meet either the physical presence test (330 full days abroad in any 12-month period) or the bona fide residence test (resident abroad for a full tax year).
Collapsed content for How much can I exclude?
Up to $130,000 per qualifying person for tax year 2025 (filed in 2026), rising to $132,900 for 2026. Married couples who both qualify can each claim it.
Collapsed content for Does the FEIE reduce self-employment tax?
No. It reduces federal income tax only. Self-employed expats still owe US self-employment tax unless covered by a totalization agreement. We flag this before you file.
Collapsed content for Do you have an office near me?
No, and you don't need one. We're an online firm: calls, email and sending your documents all happen online, so it doesn't matter which country you live in.
Collapsed content for I need to reschedule my consultation because the timing doesn't work anymore. How can I do that?
The easiest way is to email the person you have the consultation with directly. If you prefer, you can also reach out to us at contact@onlinetaxman.com, and we'll handle it for you.
Collapsed content for Is the consultation a phone call or video call?
You receive an invitation to a Google Meet event. As a default, we don't have the camera enabled, so it will be a voice call. If a voice call is not possible for you, please contact us for other options.
Collapsed content for Which languages do you speak?
Our team can speak English, Español, Русский, Português, and العربية.
Collapsed content for What happens on the free call?
You talk with our Client Services Team about your situation. They explain how we work, what we would file for you and what it would cost. It isn't a tax advice call; for that, book the consultation with a US tax accountant.
Still have questions? Get in touch by your preferred contact method to get expert guidance.
Watch: the FEIE explained
Vincenzo hosts the Online Taxman YouTube channel, where he works through the questions clients actually bring him: how the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion interacts with the Foreign Tax Credit, who really qualifies, and which pieces of expat tax advice circulating online are wrong.
Hosted by YouTube. Playing it loads content from YouTube, which may set cookies.
Hosted by YouTube. Playing it loads content from YouTube, which may set cookies.
Read the full FEIE guide
FEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit (opens in new tab)
Which one saves you more, and when it makes sense to use both.
Bona fide residence test vs physical presence test (opens in new tab)
The two ways to qualify, and how to pick the right one.
Foreign housing exclusion or deduction (opens in new tab)
Exclude qualifying housing costs on top of the FEIE.
FEIE in your year of entry or departure (opens in new tab)
How the exclusion is prorated when you move mid-year.
US Foreign Tax Credit explained for expats (opens in new tab)
The other way to avoid double tax, and how it pairs with the FEIE.
Country expat tax guides (opens in new tab)
How the FEIE and Foreign Tax Credit play out where you live. Pick your country.
Global media recognize Online Taxman's tax expertise
We have published tax articles and been quoted in leading publications. Vincenzo Villamena, our CEO, is a frequently invited guest at conferences and on podcasts.
Ready when you are: Get your FEIE done right this year
Start with a free 20-minute intro call. No card, no commitment.