Foreign earned income exclusion error

[DanaB27]

Can you please give me more details about the error?

[patwolfy]

I do income tax for my grandson who is employed by a contractor in Afghanistan.  I use Form 2555 for Foreign Earned Income exclusion.  I have efiled this for about 5 years on Turbo Tax.  This year it was rejected saying that a tax return with Form 2555 had to be mailed in.  I have a POA to sign for him but was wondering if it will be rejected again because he hasn't signed it himself.  And why would it be rejected just this year?

[KurtL1 · Accepted solution]

Beginning in 2019 the IRS requires that all returns that have Form 2555 must be mailed and cannot be electronically filed. See IRS Instructions for Form 2555.

The IRS has different mailing addresses to use if you are including Form 2555.

If you are not enclosing a payment use this address:

Department of the  Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Austin, TX  73301-0215
 

If you are enclosing a payment use this address:

Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 1303
Charlotte, NC 28201-1303
 

No, the return will not be rejected if you attach a copy of the Power of Attorney (POA) for your grandson with the return when you mail it to the above address along with the attached documents.

[Anonymous]

Would you mind quoting exactly where it says that "all returns that have Form 2555 must be mailed and cannot be electronically filed"? Searched the document and couldn't find that stipulation. Thanks!

[KarenJ2]

There is no requirement to mail a return if it includes a Form 2555.  You can e-file the return.  

[ybahei]

Turbotax 2020, form 2555 excludes $105900 of foreign earned income, which was for 2019. Exclusion for 2020 is 107600. Clearly in error.

[Irene2805]

Certain federal and state forms have not yet been finalized, including Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income.  If your return contains one of these forms you will not be able to file your return until the form is ready.  For current information on forms availability please click on the applicable link below:

• Federal forms
• State forms

@ybahei