Taxpayer may reelect foreign earned income exclusion

Plain-English summary

A taxpayer living abroad had elected the section 911 foreign earned income exclusion and later revoked that election. The taxpayer requested consent to reelect the exclusion within the period requiring IRS permission. Based on the submitted facts and representations, the IRS allowed the taxpayer to reelect the exclusion for the requested year and later years. The ruling did not decide whether the taxpayer otherwise met section 911(a)'s substantive requirements.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the taxpayer reelect the section 911 foreign earned income exclusion after revoking it?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC § 911; Treas. Reg. § 1.911-7(b)

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201538016 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 9/18/2015 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 911.00-00, 911.11-03
Person To Contact:
--------------------------- ------------------------, ID No. ----------------
----------------- Telephone Number:
------------------------------------------ --------------------
-------------- Refer Reply To:
CC:INTL:B02
PLR-114179-15
Date:
June 08, 2015

TY: ------

Legend

Taxpayer = ---------------------------
Year 1 = ------
Year 4 = ------
Country A = -----------

Dear ---------------:

This is in response to a letter dated December 3, 2014, requesting permission to reelect
the provisions of section 911 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) for Year 4 and
subsequent tax years.

The rulings contained in this letter are based upon information and representations
submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed
by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted
in support of the request for rulings, it is subject to verification on examination.

Taxpayer lived in Country A and, pursuant to section 911 of the Code, Taxpayer made
an election to exclude foreign earned income. In Year 1, Taxpayer revoked the foreign
earned income exclusion under section 911 of the Code. Taxpayer seeks permission to
reelect the section 911 foreign earned income exclusion for Year 4.

Treas. Reg. § 1. 911-7(b) provides that if an individual revoked an election to exclude
foreign earned income under section 911(a) and within five taxable years the individual

PLR-114179-15 2

wishes to reelect the exclusion, then the individual may apply for consent to the
reelection by requesting a ruling from the Associate Chief Counsel (International). In
determining whether to consent to a reelection, the Associate Chief Counsel
(International) or his delegate may consider any facts and circumstances relevant to the
determination.

Based solely on the information and representations presented, it is held that Taxpayer
may reelect the section 911 foreign earned income exclusion for Year 4 and subsequent
tax years. No opinion is expressed as to whether Taxpayer satisfied the requirements
for the exclusion provided under section 911(a) of the Code.

A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to Taxpayer’s federal income tax return
for the relevant tax year.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer who requested it. Section 6110(k)(3) of the
Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

                                             Sincerely,




                                             Jeffery G. Mitchell
                                             Branch Chief, Branch 2 (International)

cc: