I am not sure why number of days can not be entered on line 31 on form 2555? and why the income on form 2555 can not be shown on 1040 line 1?

[csdl2024]

I have two problems with form 2555. Thank you in advance for your help. 

1. I can not enter the number of dayes on line 31 on form 2555. 

2. The income on line 19 (total wages amount)  on form 2555 does not shown on line 1 1040. 

Attached is the screenshot of form 2555 Part VI and Part VII 

[rjs · Accepted solution]

1. I can not enter the number of dayes on line 31 on form 2555.

You don't enter the number of days on line 31. TurboTax calculates it. The help for line 31 says that the number of days is calculated based on what you entered on line 10 or line 16, depending on whether you are using the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test.

2. The income on line 19 (total wages amount) on form 2555 does not shown on line 1 1040.

It's not clear what line you are looking at on Form 1040. There is no plain line 1. Various types of earned income are on lines 1a through 1h. Line 1a is only for income from a W-2. If you do not have a W-2 for your foreign earned income, the income should be on line 1h.

You are not supposed to enter income directly on Form 2555 line 19. If your foreign earned income is not on a W-2, you have to enter the income on the Wages, Salaries, & Tips Worksheet. If you enter it correctly on that worksheet it will flow to Form 2555 line 19, and then to Form 1040 line 1h. The help for Form 2555 says the following.

"NOTE: In order to correctly calculate your Form 1040, you MUST enter your foreign wages on the Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement or the Wages, Salaries & Tips Worksheet. Wages entered directly on Line 19 or in the smart worksheet will NOT flow to Form 1040 as income."

As you can see, using forms mode to enter foreign earned income and the foreign earned income exclusion is complicated. It would be easier and less error-prone if you use the Step-by-Step interview to enter it.