If you stay in america but work out of the country for more than half the year fo you have to pay tax?

Answer 1

Based upon the information provided in your question, yes, you still have to pay taxes. The foreign income exclusion that I assume you are referring to has some very specific rules. It is also limited to about $87,000 for the 2007 tax year. More information can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96817,00.html

However, any taxes that you pay to a foreign government can be deductible. That is the foreign tax credit. More information on that can be found in IRS publication 514. Here is a link to the index of that publication. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p514/ix01.html

Good luck,

Answer 2

If your salary is paid by a US-based company, or you have significant ties to the US (i.e. still own property, have spouse/children/parents in the country, maintain your financial affairs in the country, etc), you are considered a US resident.

That automatically puts you into the US tax brackets for worldwide income, regardless of source.

You must pay the US taxes on your entire income ... and, if there isn't a tax treaty between the US and the countries in which you are spending a large proportion of your time, probably income tax there as well ... perhaps on worldwide income.

Answer 3

As a US resident or citizen, you are subject to US taxation on your world-wide income regardless of where you live or work. You won't qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion but you can take a credit against your US tax liability for any foreign income taxes paid. File Form 1116 with your Form 1040 return to claim the credit.

Answer 4

The short answer is yes.

The are very strict terms about a US citizen or resident excluding other income. The magic number of days in the country for most people is less than 20. But, there are many exceptions to that and most of them are linked to the military.

Russ