What I get from your above note --(a) you did not enter your foreign earned income under the "other uncommon ---" category where foreign earned income and exclusion is generally entered. (b) you entered your taxes withheld as if it was US federal taxes -- this is wrong. When excluding foreign earned income, foreign taxes paid/withheld are never entered ( except taxes on un-excluded income and then it is on form 1116). ; (c) foreign earned income exclusion is based on having a foreign tax home ( physical presence test or bonafide resident with IRS approval ) and the excludable amount changes every year -- 2018 it was US$103,900 ( wages/self-employment income plus housing differential provided by employer ) . From the above it seems to me that your filings have been in error and I do not understand how / why IRS has refunded you amounts that were actually not paid into the treasury. I must be missing something here (?)
