rp-16-21.pdf

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Part III

Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous

26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims for refund, credit, or abatement;
determination of correct tax liability.
(Also: Part I, §§911; 1.911-1.)

Rev. Proc. 2016-21

SECTION 1. PURPOSE
.01 This revenue procedure provides information to any individual who failed to
meet the eligibility requirements of section 911(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
because adverse conditions in a foreign country precluded the individual from meeting
those requirements for taxable year 2015.
.02 This revenue procedure lists the countries for which the eligibility
requirements of section 911(d)(1) are waived for taxable year 2015.
SECTION 2. BACKGROUND
.01 Sections 911(a) and (c)(4) of the Code allow a "qualified individual," as
defined in section 911(d), to exempt from taxation the individual's foreign earned income

and the housing cost amount.
.02 Section 911(d)(1) of the Code defines the term “qualified individual” as an
individual whose tax home is in a foreign country and who is (A) a citizen of the United
States and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that the
individual has been a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an
uninterrupted period that includes an entire taxable year, or (B) a citizen or resident of
the United States who, during any period of 12 consecutive months, is present in a
foreign country or countries during at least 330 full days.
.03 Section 911(d)(4) of the Code provides an exception to the eligibility
requirements of section 911(d)(1). An individual will be treated as a qualified individual
with respect to a period in which the individual was a bona fide resident of, or was
present in, a foreign country if the individual left the country during a period for which
the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State, determines
that individuals were required to leave because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse
conditions that precluded the normal conduct of business. An individual must establish
that but for those conditions the individual could reasonably have been expected to
meet the eligibility requirements
SECTION 3. APPLICATION
.01 For 2015, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of
State, has determined that war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions precluded the
normal conduct of business in the following country beginning on the specified date:
Country Date of Departure On or After

Burundi May 14, 2015
Accordingly, for purposes of section 911 of the Code, an individual who left the
Burundi on or after May 14, 2015, will be treated as a qualified individual with respect to
the period during which that individual was present in, or was a bona fide resident of,
Burundi if the individual establishes a reasonable expectation of meeting the
requirements of section 911(d) but for those conditions.
.02 To qualify for relief under section 911(d)(4) of the Code, an individual must
have established residency, or have been physically present, in the foreign country on
or prior to the date that the Secretary of the Treasury determines that individuals were
required to leave the foreign country. Individuals who establish residency, or are first
physically present, in the foreign country after the date that the Secretary prescribes will
not be treated as qualified individuals under section 911(d)(4) of the Code. For
example, individuals who were first physically present or established residency in
Burundi after May 14, 2015, are not eligible to qualify for the exception provided in
section 911(d)(4) of the Code for taxable year 2015.
SECTION 4. INQUIRIES
A taxpayer who needs assistance on how to claim this exclusion, or on how to
file an amended return, should contact a local IRS Office or consult the section under
the heading How to Get Tax Help at https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-
Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad.

SECTION 4. DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this revenue procedure is Kate Y. Hwa of the Office of
Associate Chief Counsel (International). For further information regarding this revenue
procedure contact Kate Y. Hwa on (202) 317-5001 (not a toll free call).