FOREIGN INCOME

U S Citizens often invest in foreign securities from Canada, South Africa, Europe and other nations. Some U S citizens take overseas jobs in foreign countries. This type of income has tax implications. For example Canada withholds 15% tax from dividends paid to U S investors. You may be able to deduct this tax on line 47 of your form 1040 but you may need to complete Form 1116 in order to determine if all or what part can be deducted. If you don't deduct it on line 47 of your 1040, you can deduct it as an itemized deduction.

The following is from an IRS "Tax Tip."

INCOME FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

Many United States citizens earn money from foreign sources. These taxpayers must remember that they must report all such income on their tax return, unless it is exempt under federal law.

U.S. citizens are taxed on their worldwide income. This applies whether a person lives inside or outside the United States. The foreign income rule also applies regardless of whether or not the person receives a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or a Form 1099 (information return).

Foreign source income includes earned and unearned income, such as:

• Wages and tips
• Interest
• Dividends
• Capital Gains
• Pensions
• Rents
• Royalties

An important point to remember is that citizens living outside the U.S. may be able to exclude up to $82,400 of their 2006 foreign source income if they meet certain requirements. However, the exclusion does not apply to payments made by the U.S. government to its civilian or military employees living outside the U.S.

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This information is not intended to be advice to the recipient. In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any Federal Tax advice contained in this Blog was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purposes of avoiding penalties.