Actually, it turns out that she doesn't need to use the foreign earned income exclusion. The standard deduction is $12,200 for a single person. So the extra paperwork is a moot point. She has no tax liability, although she does have to file.
I did some research. IF she was under the $4,200, as long as I paid for half the cost of keeping her (food, rent, utilities, medical, etc.) she'd be a dependent relative. Which I easily did. If she had income that she put in the bank and did not use for self-support, the amount she put in the bank would not be considered towards her upkeep and would not be used in calculating if I'd paid more than half of her support. But because the amount she earned is over the $350 a month, even though it wasn't spent on her upkeep (most of it is in the bank, where it should be), they consider her independent. Again, seriously, $350 a month makes someone financially independent? ($12 a day)
In what universe?Oh, well. For next year's tax return, unless we get home and she starts working early on, I'll get my $500 credit and "head of household" status for her when I need it. I wonder if they consider Uni bursaries as income? I ~think~ that if it's paid to the school for fees and the tuition charges it's not. But if it's used for living expenses it is. I think.
Too bad they've done away with the deduction for moving expenses. Or I'd get a job when we get back and deduct 'em.
