Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 289; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 72(b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1660; Pub. L. 87–834, § 11(a), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1003; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 237(a), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 128; Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 105(e)(3), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1567; Pub. L. 94–455, title X, § 1011(a), (b), title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(115),
1906
(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1610, 1784, 1834; Pub. L. 95–30, title I, § 102(b)(12), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 138; Pub. L. 95–600, title IV, § 401(b)(4), title VII, §§ 701(u)(10)(A),
703
(e), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2867, 2917, 2939; Pub. L. 95–615, title II, § 202(a)–(e), (g)(1), formerly § 202(a)–(f)(1), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3098–3100, renumbered § 202(a)–(e), (g)(1), and amended Pub. L. 96–222, title I, §§ 107(a)(3)(B),
108
(a)(1)(A), (C), (D), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 223, 224; Pub. L. 96–595, § 4(a)–(c)(1), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3466, 3467; Pub. L. 97–34, title I, § 111(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 190; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 101(c), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2366; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 17, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 505; Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1233(a), (b), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2564; Pub. L. 105–34, title XI, § 1172(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 109–222, title V, § 515(a)–(c), May 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 367; Pub. L. 110–172, § 4(c), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2476.)
Adjustment of Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Amount for Taxable Year 2008
For adjustment of the foreign earned income exclusion amount under subsec. (b)(2)(D)(i) for taxable years beginning in 2008, see section
3.30 of Revenue Procedure 2007–66, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.
References in Text
The Trading With the Enemy Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(8)(B)(i), is act Oct. 6, 1917, ch. 106,
40 Stat. 411, as amended, which is classified to sections
1 to
6,
7 to
39, and
41 to
44 of Title
50, Appendix, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(8)(B)(i), is
Pub. L. 95–223, title II, Dec. 28, 1977,
91 Stat. 1626, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1701 of Title
50 and Tables.
Amendments
2007—Subsec. (f).
Pub. L. 110–172 amended heading and text generally, substituting provisions relating to determination of tax liability, special rules for determining regular tax and alternative minimum tax, and definitions for former provisions relating to determination of tax liability and tentative minimum tax.
2006—Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(ii).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(a)(1), substituted “2005” for “2007” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(2)(D)(ii)(II).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(a)(2), substituted “2004” for “2006”.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(b)(2)(A), inserted “to the extent such expenses do not exceed the amount determined under paragraph (2)” after “the taxable year”.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(b)(1), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “16 percent of the salary (computed on a daily basis) of an employee of the United States who is compensated at a rate equal to the annual rate paid for step 1 of grade GS–14, multiplied by”.
Subsec. (c)(2) to (4).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(b)(2)(B), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively.
Subsec. (d)(4).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(b)(2)(C)(i), substituted “, (c)(1)(B)(ii), and (c)(2)(A)(ii)” for “and (c)(1)(B)(ii)” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (d)(7).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(b)(2)(C)(ii), which directed substitution of “subsection (c)(4)” for “subsection (c)(3)”, was executed by substituting “subsection (c)(4)(A)” for “subsection (c)(3)(A)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsecs. (f), (g).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 515(c), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).
1997—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1172(a)(1), substituted “equal to the exclusion amount for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins” for “of $70,000”.
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1172(a)(2), added subpar. (D).
1986—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1233(a), in amending subpar. (A) generally, substituted “an annual rate of $70,000” for “the annual rate set forth in the following table for each day of the taxable year within the applicable period described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (d)(1):
“In the case of taxable years
beginning in:
The annual rate is:
1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987
$80,000
1988
85,000
1989
90,000
1990 and thereafter
95,000.”
Subsec. (d)(8), (9).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1233(b), added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as (9).
1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Pub. L. 98–369 amended table by striking out item which set the annual rate at $75,000 for taxable years beginning in 1982, substituted item setting the annual rate at $80,000 for taxable years beginning in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987 for items which had set annual rates of $80,000 for taxable years beginning in 1983, $85,000 for taxable years beginning in 1984, $90,000 for taxable years beginning in 1985, and $95,000 for taxable years beginning in 1986 and thereafter, and added items setting annual rates of $85,000 for taxable years beginning in 1988, $90,000 for taxable years beginning in 1989, and $95,000 for taxable years beginning in 1990 and thereafter.
1983—Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(c)(2), substituted “subsection (a)” for “subsection (a)(1)”.
Subsec. (d)(7), (8).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(c)(1), added par. (7) and redesignated former par. (7) as (8).
1981—
Pub. L. 97–34 amended section generally, modifying the eligibility standards of existing law, replacing the existing system of deduction for excess living costs with an exclusion of a portion of foreign earned income, and providing for an individual’s election to exclude a portion of his income or to deduct an amount for housing, based on his housing expenses.
1980—
Pub. L. 96–595 § 4(c)(1), inserted “or from charitable services” after “camps” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a).
Pub. L. 96–595, § 4(a), inserted “or who performs qualified charitable services in a lesser developed country,” after “hardship area”.
Pub. L. 96–222, § 108(a)(1)(C), (D), substituted “a foreign country or” for “qualified foreign” in par. (2) and, in provisions following par. (2), substituted “his gross income any deduction,” for “his gross income” and “other than the deduction allowed by section
217” for “other than the deductions allowed by sections
217”.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Pub. L. 96–595, § 4(b)(1), substituted “Dollar limitations” for “In general” in heading, redesignated existing provisions as cl. (i), and in cl. (i) as so redesignated, inserted “Camp residents—In the case of an individual who resides in a camp located in a hardship area” before “the amount excluded”, and added cls. (ii) and (iii).
Subsec. (c)(1)(D), (E).
Pub. L. 96–595, § 4(b)(2), added subpars. (D) and (E).
1978—
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(f)(1), substituted “Income earned by individuals in certain camps” for “Earned income from sources without the United States” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(a), in introductory provisions inserted reference to an individual described in section
913
(a) who, because of his employment, resides in a camp located in a hardship area, in par. (1) substituted reference to amounts received from sources within a foreign country or countries for reference to amounts received from sources without the United States, in par. (2) substituted reference to amounts received from sources within qualified foreign countries for reference to amounts received from sources without the United States, and in provisions following par. (2) struck out “any deductions (other than those allowed by section
151, relating to personal exemptions),” after “deduction from his gross income” and inserted “, other than the deductions allowed by sections
217 (relating to moving expenses)” after “subsection”.
Pub. L. 95–600, § 701(u)(10)(A), inserted provisions setting forth formula for determining amount of reduction of taxes, and struck out provisions relating to the credit against taxes.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(b), substituted “The amount excluded” for “Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amount excluded” and “an annual rate of $20,000 for days during which he resides in a camp” for “an annual rate of $15,000”.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(b), substituted provisions relating to conditions upon which an individual will be considered to reside in a camp because of his employment for provisions which related to the amount excluded from the gross income of an individual performing qualified charitable services.
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(b), substituted provisions relating to definition of “hardship area” for provisions which related to the amount excluded from the gross income of an individual performing both qualified charitable services and other services.
Subsec. (c)(1)(D).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(b), struck out subpar. (D) which defined “qualified charitable services”.
Subsec. (c)(7).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(c), added par. (7).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 703(e), redesignated former par. (8) as (7). Such par. (8) was subsequently repealed by section 202(e) of
Pub. L. 95–615 without taking into account the redesignation of par. (8) as (7) by
Pub. L. 95–600. See 1978 Amendment note for subsec. (c)(8) below.
Subsec. (c)(8).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(e), struck out par. (8) which related to the nonexclusion under subsec. (a) of any amount attributable to services performed in a foreign country or countries if such amount was received outside of the foreign country or countries where such services were performed and if one of the purposes was the avoidance of any tax imposed by such foreign country or countries on such amount.
Subsec. (d).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(d)(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d), inserted “for the taxable year” after “section apply”, and struck out provision that an election was applicable to the taxable year for which made and to all subsequent taxable years. Former subsec. (d), which related to the computation of tax imposed by section
1 or section
1201 if an individual earned income which was excluded from gross income under subsec. (a) and which defined “net taxable income” and “net excluded earned income”, was struck out.
Subsec. (d)(1).
Pub. L. 95–600, § 401(b)(4), struck out provisions respecting applicability of section
1201 of this title.
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Pub. L. 95–615, § 202(d)(1), (2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).
1977—Subsec. (d)(1)(B).
Pub. L. 95–30 substituted “on the sum of (i) the amount of net excluded earned income, and (ii) the zero bracket amount” for “on the amount of net excluded earned income”.
1976—Subsec. (a).
Pub. L. 94–455, §§ 1011(b)(1),
1906
(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” in par. (1), and in provisions following par. (2), inserted “or as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter any credit for the amount of taxes paid or accrued to a foreign country or possession of the United States, to the extent that such deductions or credit is” after “personal exemptions)”.
Subsec. (b).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Subsec. (c)(1).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1011(a), reduced the amount excludable from individual’s gross income from $20,000 to $15,000 and $20,000 for employees of charitable organizations, added special rule to be applied to income from charitable sources and other sources combined, inserted definition of “qualified charitable services”, and struck out provisions relating to $25,000 exclusion for individual who has been a bona fide resident in a foreign country for an uninterrupted period of 3 years.
Subsec. (c)(7).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(115), struck out par. (7) relating to certain noncash remuneration from sources outside the United States.
Subsec. (c)(8).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1011(b)(2), added par. (8).
Subsecs. (d) to (f).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1011(b)(3), added subsecs. (d) and (e) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (f).
1966—Subsec. (d).
Pub. L. 89–809 designated existing text as par. (1) and added par. (2).
1964—Subsec. (c)(1)(B).
Pub. L. 88–272 substituted “$25,000” for “$35,000”.
1962—Subsec. (a).
Pub. L. 87–834 substituted “which constitute earned income attributable to services performed during such uninterrupted period” for “if such amounts constitute earned income (as defined in subsection (b)) attributable to such period” in par. (1), and “which constitute earned income attributable to services performed during such 18-month period” for “if such amounts constitute earned income (as defined in subsection (b)) attributable to such period” in par. (2), inserted provisions in pars. (1) and (2) requiring the amount excluded under such paragraphs to be computed by applying the special rules contained in subsec. (c), and eliminated provisions from par. (2) which limited the amount excluded under such paragraph to not more than $20,000 if the 18-month period includes the entire taxable year, and to not more than an amount which bears the same ratio to $20,000 as the number of days in the part of the taxable year within the 18-month period bears to the total number of days in such year if the 18-month period does not include the entire taxable year.
Subsecs. (c) and (d).
Pub. L. 87–834 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).
1958—Subsec. (c).
Pub. L. 85–866 added subsec. (c).
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 110–172 effective as if included in the provisions of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005,
Pub. L. 109–222, to which such amendment relates, with certain exceptions, see section 4(d) of
Pub. L. 110–172, set out as a note under section
355 of this title.
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–222, title V, § 515(d), May 17, 2006,
120 Stat. 368, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.”
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Section 1172(b) of
Pub. L. 105–34 provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997.”
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Section 1233(c) of
Pub. L. 99–514 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986.”
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1983, see section 18(a) of
Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section
48 of this title.
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981,
Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of
Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Section 115 of subtitle B (§§ 111–115) of title I of
Pub. L. 97–34 provided that: “The amendments made by this subtitle [amending this section and sections
37,
43,
62,
63,
105,
119,
410,
879,
1034,
1302,
1303,
1304,
1402,
3401,
6012, and
6091 of this title and repealing section
913 of this title] (other than section
114 [amending section 208 of
Pub. L. 95–615, set out below]) shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1981.”
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Section 4(d) of
Pub. L. 96–595 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978.”
Amendment by section 107(a)(3)(B) of
Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1978,
Pub. L. 95–600, to which such amendment relates, see section 201 of
Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section
32 of this title.
Amendment by section 108(a)(1)(A), (C), (D) of
Pub. L. 96–222 effective as if included in the Foreign Earned Income Act of 1978,
Pub. L. 95–615, see section 108(a)(2)(A) of
Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section
3 of this title.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by section 401(b)(4) of
Pub. L. 95–600 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1978, see section 401(c) of
Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section
1201 of this title.
Section 701(u)(10)(B) of
Pub. L. 95–600, as amended by
Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 107(a)(1)(B), Apr. 1, 1980,
94 Stat. 222, provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning in calendar year 1978 but only in the case of taxpayers who make an election under section 209(c) of the Foreign Earned Income Act of 1978 [section 209(c) of
Pub. L. 95–615, set out below].”
Amendment by section 703(e) of
Pub. L. 95–600 effective on Oct. 4, 1976, see section 703(r) of
Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section
46 of this title.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment; Election of Prior Law
Section 209 of
Pub. L. 95–615 provided that:
“(a) General Rule.—Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the amendments made by this title [see section 201(a) of
Pub. L. 95–615, set out as a Short Title of 1978 Amendment note under section
1 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1977.
“(b) Wage Withholding.—The amendment made by section
207
(a) [amending section
3401 of this title] shall apply to remuneration paid after the date of the enactment of this Act. [Nov. 8, 1978].
“(c) Election of Prior Law.—
“(1) A taxpayer may elect not to have the amendments made by this title [see section 201(a) of
Pub. L. 95–615, set out as a Short Title of 1978 Amendment note under section
1 of this title] apply with respect to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1977, and before January 1, 1979.
“(2) An election under this subsection shall be filed with a taxpayer’s timely filed return for the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 1977.”
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 95–30 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 106(a) of
Pub. L. 95–30, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Section 1011(d) of
Pub. L. 94–455, as amended by
Pub. L. 95–30, title III, § 302, May 23, 1977,
91 Stat. 152;
Pub. L. 95–615, § 4(a), Nov. 8, 1978,
92 Stat. 3097, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
36 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1977.”
Amendment by section 1901(a)(115) of
Pub. L. 94–455 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 1901(d) of
Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section
2 of this title.
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Section 237(b) of
Pub. L. 88–272 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1964.”
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Section 11(c)(1) of
Pub. L. 87–834 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after September 4, 1962, but only with respect to amounts—
“(A) received after March 12, 1962, which are attributable to services performed after December 31, 1962, or
“(B) received after December 31, 1962, which are attributable to services performed on or before December 31, 1962, unless on March 12, 1962, there existed a right (whether forfeitable or nonforfeitable) to receive such amounts.”
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 85–866 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1957, see section 72(c) of
Pub. L. 85–866 set out as a note under section
6012 of this title.
Repeals
Section 703(e) of
Pub. L. 95–600, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed by
Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 107(a)(3)(B), Apr. 1, 1980,
94 Stat. 223. See 1978 Amendment note for subsec. (c)(7) of this section set out above.
Treatment of Certain Persons in Panama
Section 1232(a) of
Pub. L. 99–514 provided that: “Nothing in the Panama Canal Treaty (or in any agreement implementing such Treaty) shall be construed as exempting (in whole or in part) any citizen or resident of the United States from any tax under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or 1986. The preceding sentence shall apply to all taxable years whether beginning before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986] (or in the case of any tax not imposed with respect to a taxable year, to taxable events after the date of enactment of this Act.)”
Taxable Years Beginning in 1977 or 1978; Individuals Who Leave Foreign Country After August 31, 1978
Rules similar to the rules of section
913
(j)(4) of this title to apply for the purposes of applying this section for taxable years beginning in 1977 or 1978 in the case of an individual who leaves a foreign country after Aug. 31, 1978, see section 1(b) of
Pub. L. 96–608, set out as an Effective Date of 1980 Amendment note under section
913 of this title.
Individuals for Whom Unused Zero Bracket Amount Computation Is Provided for Taxable Years Beginning in 1977
Section 4(b) of
Pub. L. 95–615, as amended by
Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “If for any taxable year beginning in 1977—
“(1) an individual is entitled to the benefits of section 911 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], and
“(2) such individual chooses to take to any extent the benefits of section 901 of such Code,
then such individual shall be treated for such taxable year as an individual for whom an unused zero bracket amount computation is provided by section 63(e) of such Code.”
Reports to Congressional Committees; Information From Federal Agencies
Section 208 of
Pub. L. 95–615, as amended by
Pub. L. 97–34, title I, § 114, Aug. 13, 1981,
95 Stat. 195;
Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2095;
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11833, Nov. 5, 1990,
104 Stat. 1388–560, provided that:
“(a) General Rule.—As soon as practicable after December 31, 1993, and as soon as practicable after the close of each fifth calendar year thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transmit a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Finance of the Senate on the operation and effects of sections 911 and 912 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954].
“(b) Information From Federal Agencies.—Each agency of the Federal Government which pays allowances excludable from gross income under section 912 of such Code shall keep such records and furnish to the Secretary of the Treasury such information as he determines to be necessary to carry out his responsibility under subsection (a).”