Working for company in Kenya but based in the US, not a citizen but a resident in US. Do i get double taxed as my employer withholds tax from my gross salary.

[asherfox10]

I work for a company that is based in Kenya and I get paid directly from them but they withhold tax from my gross salary. They said I will receive a Withholding Tax Certificate every 3 or 6 months so that I can claim or be exempt from taxes here in the USA. I am not a US citizen but I am a resident in the US with a work permit and social security. I work in the US for this company. My question is do I actually get to claim back the withheld taxes that is being deducted from my gross salary? Or do I have to pay taxes here in the US too which means I will be double taxed?

[KarenJ]

If you will not be able to receive a refund for the taxes withheld in Kenya, you can claim a foreign tax credit on your US tax return to help offset double taxation.

In TurboTax, enter foreign tax credit in the search box at the top of your screen and click Jump to.  You can enter your foreign wages and foreign tax paid there.  The category is considered general limitation income. 

[asherfox10]

Am i actually eligible to claim a foreign tax credit on my US tax return even though I am based in the US and working in the US for a non-US company that is located in Kenya? I only get paid by the company in Kenya but I perform all services in the US.

[KarenJ]

Yes. Foreign tax credit can be utilized if you are a US citizen or resident and you have paid foreign tax.  It is quite different from the foreign earned income exclusion where you have to be living and working overseas to exclude some of your income.    <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-tax-credit">https://www.irs.gov/indi...>

[asherfox10]

Thank you, this helps so much! Appreciate it!