U.S. citizens are taxed on their worldwide income. They must figure gain or loss on the sale of foreign real property. If the foreign property is a residence, the home sale exclusion may apply. Note: If foreign taxes are paid on the sale, this may trigger a deduction or credit for those taxes.
A written determination issued to a taxpayer by the IRS that interprets and applies the tax laws to the taxpayer’s specific set of facts. A letter ruling advises the taxpayer regarding the tax treatment that can be expected from the IRS in the circumstances specified by the ruling. It may not be used or cited as precedent by another taxpayer.