Extension to qualify for foreign income exclusion (Form 2350)

So I'm a US citizen, moved to the UK on 7 September 2009, and now I'm starting to think about doing my 2009 federal taxes. I've done some research and know that I need to get an extension until I'm able to qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion for those last few months of 2009, using form 2350.

What date should I request that the filing deadline be extended to? If you need to be out of the country for 330 days, that would mean I'd qualify for the exclusion in early August 2010, but since I would then need some additional time to get the return filed, should I just request an extension until 30 September for instance? What have other folks done?

Also, has anyone successfully e-filed the Form 2350? The IRS website says it is available for e-filing, but I haven't found any tax software that actually supports that form. Any ideas, or should I just send it on paper?

Thanks!

I applied for the extension for 2008.  I qualified for it on the 5th of December 2009, so just asked for an extension until the 15th, but they automatically granted me a month later, on the 5th of January 2010.  So I just filed my 2008 taxes a few weeks ago!

ETA: I also looked all over to submit the 2350 online and never found it.  It's probably easier to just print it out.  You can send it to the London embassy instead of the US to save a few pence postage.

Mail is fine and yes indeed it would be the following January by which time you'd have qualified under bona fide residence.

Don't forget to get proof of posting.

The 2350 is really only if the normal extensions aren't enough for you -- specifically for the period 15 Dec - 30 Jan the following year.

You automatically get a 6 month's extension with Form 4868, which is the extension most people use. It takes you through to 15 October and you can even apply for this extension over the phone.  Since this is so easy, you might just want to consider this option.

x-posted

This is similar to my situation that I'm facing right now while going through TurboTax.  I found that I won't have been in the UK for 330 days until the first week of March, so I have to wait until then to submit my taxes (even though I'm getting back a HUGE refund).  In my case, an extension wouldn't really be necessary since I can submit my return before April 15.  But it sure would be nice to be able to file today and get my refund within the next couple of weeks!!
You'd think the IRS would recognize that people don't move out of the country on January 1 and allow people to submit a return for the months that they've been abroad. 

It is not the IRS that draft the law, it is Congress.  If you want a change to the Code section 911 then it is your Congress person you should be lobbying on this.

You automatically get a 6 month's extension with Form 4868, which is the extension most people use. It takes you through to 15 October and you can even apply for this extension over the phone.  Since this is so easy, you might just want to consider this option.

x-posted

Who do you call to apply for this?

Who do you call to apply for this?

It is on the form instructions.

Wait, I'm a bit confused after reading this and it will be the first year filing my taxes since moving to the UK. I recieved one paycheck in 2009 from my UK employer. Am I going to need to file an extension in order to include this income....?

Wait, I'm a bit confused after reading this and it will be the first year filing my taxes since moving to the UK. I recieved one paycheck in 2009 from my UK employer. Am I going to need to file an extension in order to include this income....?

Yes - you file a 2350 and the return by January 31st, 2011.  This is quite normal.

The FBAR is still due by June 30th, 2010, payment remains due by April 15th, 2010.

One question:

I am getting an extension for my Foreign Earned Income Tax Exclusion, but I also earned a few thousand dollars in the US in 2009. Do I file that now or later?

One question:

I am getting an extension for my Foreign Earned Income Tax Exclusion, but I also earned a few thousand dollars in the US in 2009. Do I file that now or later?

I believe that the extension is for the whole thing (US and UK earnings).  Can someone confirm this?

Also, when one is granted this extension is it only for Federal taxes or State as well?