Can a U.S. citizen file taxes in the U.S. if they reside and work in a foreign country?

Question

Can a U.S. citizen file taxes in the U.S. if they reside and work in a foreign country?

Answer 1

A US citizen working abroad is obligated to file US income taxes.  You will be entitled to a credit for taxes paid to other jurisdictions.

Answer 2

Not only can you pay taxes, you have to pay taxes.

Answer 3

Yes, but will get credit for foreign taxes paid.

Answer 4

On your U.S. return, you must report your worldwide income. If the total income meets the filing requirement, you must file your tax return. You will claim credit for taxes paid in the foreign country by filing Form 1116. Read: http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-c...  

Answer 5

If you are an American Citizen you must file a tax return in the United States claiming all worldly income. This would include your foreign income. However, if the United States has a treaty with the country that you earned your income in, some or all of that income may be exempt. The exemption would depend on residency issues, such as how long you lived in the other country, and whether or not you returned to the United States during that time.

My best advise to you is to seek out a tax professional who is knowledgeable about foreign income.

Answer 6

Get IRS publication 54 and read it from cover to cover.  Fortunately, if you are eligible to exclude all income with the form 2555, the IRS will allow you to use it even if you are YEARS behind in filing.

If you have a filing requirement, you must file.

You don't indicate what country, but be aware there are totalization agreements with many countries that supercede the SE tax rules if your are self-employed.