Foreign Earned Income

[oceanplants]

Hi, I am trying to understand how to file foreign earned income during the first year when less than 330 days. I understand I can wait until next year when I will pass the 330 days but still what/how do I file for the first year. Thank you in advance

[Critter]

You will need to wait to file the 2018 return until you pass the 330 day mark ... if you will not owe or get a refund then filing late has no consequences ... if you will owe you had to pay the estimated payment when you filed the extension last April ... if you didn't pay in yet do so now. 

[oceanplants]

Thank you for the reply. That's how I was reading all the info on it.

Trying to get it straight in my head. So I just don`t include any my foreign earned income or deductions for the first year, its ok to just skip that part and then go ahead and include it next year when I will be over the 330 days.

[Critter]

You can skip that and amend the return when you get to the 330 mark   OR   wait to file the return until then ... if you will be getting a refund then waiting will not hurt you any of course the excluded income will effect your income tax calculation ... so if you will not wait you may wish to do a test first by entering in the foreign income with dates that are not correct but will work just to see what the bottom line will eventually be.  Of course correct the info later before you file. 

[oceanplants]

thank you for the information breakdown.