Form 2555-EZ Instructions

Write your name and social security number at the top.

  1. Number 1: Check "No." Some non-first year JETs can check "Yes," but it's not necessary unless you don't qualify for number 2. If you check "Yes," fill in the dates for 1b.
  2. Number 2a: Check "Yes."
  3. Number 2b: First year JETs write the dates from Form 2350, line 4b.

Other current JETs write January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003 Last year's JETs should write January 1, 2003 to their last full day in Japan

  1. Number 3: Yes
  2. Numbers 5-8: Fill these in. Leave #7 blank.
  3. Number 9c: Other: Foreign School Board, Foreign Government, etc.
  4. Number 10a: First year JETs leave blank.

Everyone else write 2002. Then check "No" for 10c and skip 10d.

  1. Number 11a: A tax home is a principal place of employment. Write the addresses where you worked during last year, and the dates you worked there.
  2. Number 11b: Write U.S.A.
  3. Number 12: Fill out this part for during the period you specified on 2b. If you went to the U.S. or its possessions during this time, fill it out. For example, if you arrived in Japan on July 28, 2003, don't include anything before then, but do include going to Hawaii for Christmas Break.
  4. Number 14: Count the number of days in your qualifying period (times between dates on 2b) and subtract any days you spent returning to the U.S. or its possessions (listed on number 12).
  5. Number 17: Now, calculate the total amount you earned in Japan in 2003 in yen. You have to convert this amount to dollars. The IRS says you should use a formula where you convert the amount using the rate on the day you got paid each month, then add up all those months. However, the rate was never low enough to mean that we were earning more money than we can claim tax-free. So one possibility is to take the lowest rate all year (106.93) and use that to compute your earnings. Or you can rely on the U.S. embassy's computation of the rates. The yearly rate they use is 113.873.
  6. Number 18: Write the number from line 17. Then go to Form 1040, and follow the instructions there.

You're finished! Include this form with your 1040 when you file your return.

On to form 1040

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