Foreign Earned Income - Employee contribution to pension plan b4 tax

[Akinofe67]

Hello team,

My client works overseas for a foreign US affiliate in oil and gas. She is a bonafide resident of that country and her tax home is in that country. She contributes part of her pay to a company pension plan before income tax. Can I use the "taxable wage" (grosss Income less employee pension contribution) as the foreign income on  the 2555 form and possibly the FTC 1116 form? Or must I use the Gross Income amount?

I have looked at some publications like pub 54, and I don't see anything that says I can do it, nor do I see anything that says I cant do it. Please your wisdom is appreciated.

thanks

[sjrcpa · Accepted solution]

Gross. Unless you have proof that the pension plan is a US 401(k) or SIMPLE plan.

[Akinofe67]

It sounds gross, but I'll take it. Thank you.