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Topic: Form 2555 FEIE questions  (Read 992 times)

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Form 2555 FEIE questions
« on: April 08, 2020, 07:28:18 AM »
Help please...

Is it better to do bona fide or physical presence? In 2019 I was only out of the country for a total of 9 days. I’ve lived here since May 2018 so I’m thinking bona fide is better but not sure.

I have never filed this form before. I only earned $3000 for 2019. All income is UK based.

I have my 1040 ready and Schedule 1 is done as well just need someone to help me on this so I can post this and get it off my to do list.

Tax gurus, bless me with knowledge please. Thank you
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Re: Form 2555 FEIE questions
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2020, 08:00:56 PM »
I'll combine questions from both your posts:

Is it better to do bona fide or physical presence? In 2019 I was only out of the country for a total of 9 days. I’ve lived here since May 2018 so I’m thinking bona fide is better but not sure.
It's always better to use bona fide if you qualify. No hassle with meeting the required number of qualifying days. If the UK was your permanent residence for all of 2019, then you'll qualify.

In 2019 I was only out of the country for a total of 9 days.
Part VII line 38, I calculated my days as 356 (365 days minus the 9 days I visited the USA in 2019)
On line 39, do I enter 0.975?
As I understand it, but I'm just another punter like yourself:
If you were in the US on vacation for the whole time, and provided you do not claim the housing deduction or exclusion, then disregard those 9 days and enter "365" on line 38 and "1.000" for line 39.
If you were in the US and working in the US for those 9 days, then enter your calculation (0.975?) on line 39.

I have my 1040 ready and Schedule 1 is done as well just need someone to help me on this so I can post this and get it off my to do list
Don't forget Schedule B if you have any UK bank account, by yourself or jointly.


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Re: Form 2555 FEIE questions
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2020, 08:08:27 PM »
Thank you so much! They were days on vacation. Haven’t worked in the US at all since before I moved (March 2018 was last paycheck I earned there)

I'll combine questions from both your posts:
It's always better to use bona fide if you qualify. No hassle with meeting the required number of qualifying days. If the UK was your permanent residence for all of 2019, then you'll qualify.
As I understand it, but I'm just another punter like yourself:
If you were in the US on vacation for the whole time, and provided you do not claim the housing deduction or exclusion, then disregard those 9 days and enter "365" on line 38 and "1.000" for line 39.
If you were in the US and working in the US for those 9 days, then enter your calculation (0.975?) on line 39.
Don't forget Schedule B if you have any UK bank account, by yourself or jointly.
UK Spouse Visa (Priority)
Approved: 1 May 2018

FLR(M) Standard
Approved: 16 June 2021

ILR (SET M) Super Priority
Approved: 29 August 2023


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