Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Calculator (2026)
Estimate FEIE using qualifying days and foreign earned income.
Key takeaways
- FEIE can exclude qualifying **foreign earned income** up to a yearly maximum (plus possible housing benefits).
- Most people qualify via the Physical Presence Test or Bona Fide Residence Test.
- FEIE generally does **not** remove self-employment tax.
- Updated for **2026** exclusion maximum (add official amount).
Calculator
See step-by-step breakdown
How this calculator works
Inputs we ask for
- Foreign earned income
- Qualifying days abroad (if prorating)
- Test type (PPT/BFR)
What we calculate
- Estimated excluded amount (up to the max)
- Prorated max if partial-year qualifies
What this calculator does NOT do
- Housing exclusion/deduction
- Foreign tax credit optimization
- Self-employment tax
Assumptions + rounding
We cap the exclusion at the annual (or prorated) maximum and round to the nearest dollar.
How this calculator works
Prorates the 2026 FEIE maximum by qualifying days and returns the lower of income or prorated cap.
FAQ
Does this include the housing exclusion?
Not yet. FEIE housing exclusion rules are more complex and location-dependent.
Does FEIE eliminate self-employment tax?
Usually no — FEIE generally doesn’t remove self-employment tax.
Physical Presence Test vs Bona Fide Residence — which is better?
PPT is day-count based; BFR is facts-and-circumstances. Many expats use PPT for simplicity.
Do I still need to file a US return?
Often yes — FEIE is claimed on a return (commonly via Form 2555).
What if I return to the US mid-year?
You may need to prorate the maximum exclusion depending on qualifying period.
Should I use FEIE or Foreign Tax Credit?
It depends. Some situations favor FTC. Add a dedicated FTC calculator and comparison guide.
Related calculators
Related guides
More resources
These pages explain the rules, assumptions, and constants used in the calculator.