If I live outside the United States, what form should I use to file my taxes?

Question

I am a US citizen residing abroad.

Answer 1

Same Form 1040 as everyone else.

If you're claiming the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, attach Form 2555. If you're claiming the Foreign Income Tax Credit, attach Form 1116. You have about 3 days left to qualify for the exclusion unless you file for an extension. You can claim either the exculsion or the credit, not both.

See IRS Pub 54 for more information. It's available at the IRS website.

Answer 2

Basically correct, except that you can claim the foreign tax credit with respect to income that does not qualify for the earned income exclusion.