Question by Clutchitude: Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if my earned income is outside the US?
I have both earned and unearned (dividend, investment, interest) income. My earned income is excluded from my US tax return since I’m physically outside the US. Can I still contribute to a Roth IRA?
Thanks, I thought so. I also assume I have to exclude either all or none of my foreign-earned income if it’s below the threshold.

Best answer:

Answer by Rob
Under the circumstances you have described No you cannot contribute to a Roth or a Tradional IRA

If your Foriegn Earned Income is excluded from your Tax return, it is not considered earned income for the purposes of contributions to either a Traditional or Roth IRA. You can only contribute if the earned income is taxable income.
See Publication 590
Who can contribute and the definitions of what is considered not taxable compensationhttp://www.irs.gov/publications/p590/ch01.html#d0e1025

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I have both earned and unearned (dividend, investment, interest) income. My earned income is excluded from my US tax return since I’m physically outside the US. Can I still contribute to a Roth IRA?
Thanks, I thought so. I also assume I have to exclude either all or none of my foreign-earned income if it’s below the threshold.

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