Do I need to still do my taxes even though I did not earn any money last year in the U.S.? I was teaching abroad for all of last year in Thailand

[CarolynM]

Yes, you will need to file a US tax return, but you should be eligible to exclude your foreign earned income.

For more information, follow these links: 

Taxpayers Living Abroad

Foreign Income

[bahamilton]

I can't figure out how I'm eligible to exclude foreign income. Basically if you aren't in the US for 300 something days?

[TomD8]

This IRS reference should answer your question:  https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion-what-is-fore...

[bahamilton]

So I’ve been abroad for almost 2 years now and all my income is foreign income (contract pay from a Chinese company). This can be ‘excluded foreign income’ or exempt or whatever?

[pk]

@mtlucero5  the above answer  ( that you can use Foreign Earned Income Exclusion ) assumes  (a) you are a US citizen / Resident ( Green Card ) and (b) that you meet the Physical Presence Test  ( absent from US for  at least 330 days  in a continuous 12 month test period).   Also you can claim foreign tax credit on  income taxes paid on not  excluded income that has been taxed by a foreign taxing authority.   As a  US citizen/Resident you have to file a federal return as long as your world income   ( before  foreign earned income exclusion ) is equal or above the  filing threshold for your filing status.

Does this answer your query or do you need more clarification   ( in that case please provide  your dates of foreign stay,  your employer { US or foreign entity}, other benefits provided by the employer,  was your family with you  etc. etc. )

[pk]

@bahamilton  do you still need help  --  please read my post first ?