What Is Foreign Tax Credit And How Can It Help You?

In the world of tax law, it’s important for taxpayers to be aware of the different options available to them when it comes to reducing their tax liability. One of these options is the foreign tax credit. This credit can be used by individuals, businesses, and other entities that are subject to taxes in other countries. But what exactly is the foreign tax credit and how can it help you? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this article.

What is the Foreign Tax Credit?

The foreign tax credit is a tax credit that allows taxpayers to deduct the amount of taxes they’ve paid to other countries from their federal taxes. The credit is designed to reduce the amount of double taxation that can occur when taxpayers are taxed in both the US and abroad. The foreign tax credit is available for income, war profits, and excess profits taxes paid to foreign countries. The credit is limited to the amount of US tax owed, so if the foreign taxes are less than the US taxes due, the taxpayer will not be able to take the full amount of the foreign tax credit.

How Does the Foreign Tax Credit Work?

When a taxpayer has paid taxes to a foreign country, they can claim the foreign tax credit on their US tax return. The amount of the credit is limited to the amount of US tax owed on the same income. For example, if a taxpayer has paid $1,000 in foreign taxes and owes $800 in US taxes on that same income, the foreign tax credit will be limited to $800. The taxpayer will not be able to take the full credit of $1,000. The taxpayer can also choose to deduct foreign taxes paid instead of taking the credit. However, the deduction is limited to the amount of US tax owed, so the same limitation would apply.

Who is Eligible for the Foreign Tax Credit?

The foreign tax credit is available to individuals, businesses, and other entities that are subject to taxes in other countries. To be eligible for the credit, the taxpayer must have paid or accrued the taxes to the foreign country. The foreign taxes must also be imposed on income, war profits, or excess profits. Additionally, the taxpayer must have a legal obligation to pay the foreign taxes and the foreign taxes must be paid or accrued during the tax year for which the credit is being claimed.

Can You Carry Forward Unused Foreign Tax Credit?

Yes, taxpayers can carry forward any unused foreign tax credit to the following tax year. The taxpayer must include the amount of the carry forward on their US tax return for the following year. The amount will be listed on Form 1116, which is used to calculate the foreign tax credit. The amount of the carry forward will be allocated to the same category of income as the foreign taxes that were paid in the previous year.

Can You Carry Back a Foreign Tax Credit?

Yes, taxpayers can carry back a foreign tax credit to the two previous tax years. The amount of the credit that can be carried back is limited to the amount of US tax owed in the previous year. The taxpayer must include the amount of the carry back on their US tax return for the previous year. The amount will be listed on Form 1116, which is used to calculate the foreign tax credit. The amount of the carry back will be allocated to the same category of income as the foreign taxes that were paid in the current year.

Conclusion

The foreign tax credit is a valuable tool for taxpayers who find themselves subject to taxes in other countries. The credit allows the taxpayer to reduce their US tax liability by the amount of foreign taxes paid. Additionally, taxpayers can carry forward or carry back any unused foreign tax credit to reduce their US taxes in the following or previous years. By taking advantage of the foreign tax credit, taxpayers can reduce their overall tax liability and keep more of their hard-earned money.