topic Am I qualified for Physical Presence Test in Deductions & credits

Am I qualified for Physical Presence Test

Lee-Ng — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:11:07 GMT

Hi There,

I worked abroad from 02/15/2021 to present, when I look at the flow chart in IRS Pub. 54 (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf ) page 13 and the example in IRS Pub. 54 Page 15, I am qualify. but my question it I am still working abroad, so, what date do I need to enter for the 12 month period End?

Here are the screenshot for the flow chart and the example:

Thank you

lee

Re: Am I qualified for Physical Presence Test

JohnB5677 — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 13:21:58 GMT

How to Figure the 12-Month Period Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - Physical Presence Test

There are four rules you should know when figuring out the 12-month period:

A 12-month period can begin with any day of the month. It ends the day before the same calendar day, 12 months later.
A 12-month period must be made up of consecutive months. Any 12-month period can be used if the 330 days in a foreign country fall within that period.
You do not have to begin a 12-month period with your first full day in a foreign country or end it with the day you leave. You can choose the 12-month period that gives you the greatest exclusion.
In determining whether the 12-month period falls within a longer stay in the foreign country, 12-month periods can overlap one another.

You can select any 12 month period up to and including the day you file your tax return.

Re: Am I qualified for Physical Presence Test

Lee-Ng — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 09:26:52 GMT

Thank you for your reply, JohnB5677. In this case, I went abroad on 2/15/2021 and my 12-month period is from 2/15/2021 to 2/14/2022 although I am still abroad today. So, this means that I am qualify for the Physical Presence Test, am I right?

Thank you

lee

Re: Am I qualified for Physical Presence Test

ErnieS0 — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 11:54:45 GMT

Yes. You can use any 12 month up to the day you file as Tax Expert @JohnB5677 said.

If you met the test in February, TurboTax will allow you the foreign earned income exclusion because you have been outside the US for more than one year prior to the filing date.

Re: Am I qualified for Physical Presence Test

Lee-Ng — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:22:36 GMT

Thank you for your reply, ErnieS0. This helps to answer my question.