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    friedmaneben's Avatar
    friedmaneben Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 27, 2010, 06:18 AM
    If my wife and I file a joint tax return, can we each exclude foreign earned income?
    My wife and I both live and work outside the US, and until this year have filed separately, with each of us taking the foreign earned income exclusion. This year we're considering filing jointly, but it's not clear to us how doing so would affect the amount of foreign earned income that can be excluded. Our question is thus whether the total amount of foreign earned income that we can exclude in filing a joint tax return is $91,400 or $182,800. Can anyone help with this?
    Five Rings's Avatar
    Five Rings Posts: 459, Reputation: 7
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    #2

    Feb 28, 2010, 01:52 PM

    Each of you are entitled to the 91,400 exclusion. Each may take no more than that amount. Don't forget the housing exclusion if necessary.

    Read the instructions for the exclusion. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2555.pdf
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
    Tax Expert
    		  
    #3

    Mar 2, 2010, 12:07 AM

    Each of you will complete separate Form 2555.
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