I use the foreign income exclusion since I live and work in France. I wanted to contribute to my Roth IRA, but your software wouldn't let me. I think I am able to dothis?

[schellb80302]

I would like to contribute to my IRA, but it shows no earned income because of this exclusion for foreign income. Can I legally contribute to my Roth IRA?

[bine22 · Accepted solution]

If you exclude all your income, you cannot contribute to an IRA. If you using the physical presence test you could use a different, vlid period and leave some income unexcluded. However, if you are planning on staying in France for retirement, it might not be a good idea to invest in a ROTH IRA as the distributions (earning) might be taxable in France anyway.