Topic hub

Expat Tax & Finance

Start here for US expat taxes, FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, state domicile, banking, and cross-border money decisions before moving abroad.

Use this hub to avoid the expensive tax and banking mistakes that show up after the move: state domicile, FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, self-employment tax, account access, and reporting deadlines.

Decision path

Use this order to turn the topic into a cleaner next move.

  1. 01

    Map federal filing obligations before choosing a country.

  2. 02

    Separate income tax, self-employment tax, and reporting forms.

  3. 03

    Protect banking access with redundant accounts and a US mailing path.

  4. 04

    Review domicile, FEIE, FTC, and FBAR every tax year.

Common questions

Do US citizens still file taxes abroad?

Yes. US citizens generally file on worldwide income even when they live abroad, though FEIE and foreign tax credits can reduce federal income tax.

Is a foreign bank account automatically a tax problem?

No, but it can trigger FBAR and FATCA reporting. The risk is usually missed reporting, not the account itself.

Can a state tax an expat?

Some states aggressively audit domicile. The safest approach is to sever residential, banking, voting, driver license, and property ties before leaving.

Latest guides

117 guides in this topic.

Open resources
Leather accordion file and brass letter opener on walnut desk representing TFSA tax document compliance Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 4, 2026

Canadian TFSA and US Taxes: The Reporting Trap

US citizens holding a Canadian TFSA owe tax on all annual growth and must file Form 3520 — PFIC rules apply to Canadian mutual funds inside the

American expat at a walnut desk in a sun-lit Mediterranean apartment with leather planner and coffee Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 4, 2026

State Income Tax for Expats: Which States Follow You

California, New York, and Virginia keep taxing Americans abroad. Learn which states follow you, what triggers audits, and how to exit cleanly.

Walnut desk with leather portfolio open beside a warm amber lamp at dusk in a quiet study Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 3, 2026

FBAR: The $10,000 Expat Rule Most People Get Wrong

FBAR: when any foreign account aggregate hits $10,000 during the year, all accounts must be reported. Penalties, Bittner ruling, and catch-up

Expat entrepreneur reviewing business entity documents at a modern desk with foreign city skyline view Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 2, 2026

S-Corp vs LLC for US Expats: SE Tax Savings Compared

US expats pay 15.3% SE tax on LLC profits even with FEIE. Learn when an S-corp election saves tax, how GILTI affects foreign corps, and when to use a

Mahogany desk with open leather ledger and fountain pen under warm amber lamplight Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 2, 2026

US LLC State Guide: Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico

Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico LLCs compared for expats: annual fees, privacy rules, asset protection, EIN without SSN, and US business banking.

Minimalist desk with open passport and official correspondence in warm afternoon light Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 1, 2026

Form 8858: When Expats With Local Businesses Must File

US expats with a local business entity abroad may owe a $10,000 IRS penalty for missing Form 8858. Here is who must file and what to report.

Formal estate planning office with leather folders and warm amber desk lamp on dark wood Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 1, 2026

Form 708: The 40% Tax US Heirs Pay on Expatriate Gifts

US recipients owe 40% under Section 2801 when they receive gifts or bequests from a former US citizen. Form 708 is due June 2027 for 2025 transfers.

Modern home office wooden desk with open folders and morning window light Expat Tax & FinanceJune 23, 2026

FBAR vs Form 8938: Expat Reporting Guide

US expats with foreign accounts over $10,000 must file FBAR. Learn how Form 8938 differs, current penalty amounts, and how to catch up.

Sunlit brick residential building with manicured garden in warm afternoon light Expat Tax & FinanceJune 21, 2026

1031 Exchange for Expat Landlords: Like-Kind Rules

US expats can defer taxation on US real estate sales via Section 1031. Learn the 45/180-day rules, DST options, FIRPTA exemptions, and depreciation

Closed leather portfolio with fountain pen on mahogany desk in warm afternoon light Expat Tax & FinanceJune 19, 2026

IRC 877A: Deemed Sale Rules for Departing Americans

IRC 877A deems all worldwide assets sold before departure. Learn the 2026 exclusion, IRA deemed-distribution rules, and Form 8854 filing deadline.

Leather portfolio and fountain pen on a polished wooden desk for tax compliance planning Expat Tax & FinanceJune 19, 2026

Canada RRSP and TFSA: The US Tax Trap Expats Miss

Americans in Canada face Form 3520, FBAR, and treaty elections for RRSP and TFSA accounts. Learn what to file and how to avoid 35% IRS penalties.

Leather portfolio and brass compass on desk representing strategic tax planning for expat business owners Expat Tax & FinanceJune 18, 2026

Section 199A QBI Deduction: Do Expats Qualify?

The 20% QBI deduction is available to US expats on income above the FEIE limit. Learn 2026 thresholds, the SSTB trap for consultants, and how to claim

Brass fountain pen on blank stacked papers at a mahogany desk representing foreign tax credit filing Expat Tax & FinanceJune 17, 2026

Form 1116: How to Recover Foreign Taxes as a US Expat

Learn how Form 1116 works: income baskets, the credit limitation formula, dividend withholding recovery, FEIE interaction, and the 10-year

Closed leather portfolio and fountain pen on polished mahogany desk in warm afternoon light Expat Tax & FinanceJune 16, 2026

Form 5471: US Expats Who Own Foreign Companies

Filing Form 5471 is required for US expats who own 10% or more of a foreign corporation. Learn the five categories, $10,000 penalties, and how to

Leather portfolio and fountain pen on mahogany desk for US expatriate tax documentation Expat Tax & FinanceJune 16, 2026

Expat State Income Tax: Which States Still Collect

Which US states still tax you while living abroad, how California's 546-day safe harbor works, and how to properly establish domicile elsewhere.

Brass desktop calculator and closed folder on a tidy home office desk in soft window light Expat Tax & FinanceJune 15, 2026

Expat Estimated Tax Payments: What You Owe Each Quarter

US expats owe quarterly estimated taxes by April 15, June 15, and September 15. The filing extension does not move these deadlines. Learn the safe

Corporate records archive representing foreign corporation filing requirements for US expatriates Expat Tax & FinanceJune 14, 2026

Form 5471 for Expats: CFC Reporting and Penalty Guide

Own a foreign corporation with 10% US ownership? Form 5471 is mandatory — missing it costs $10,000 per entity per year automatically.

Overhead desk view with stacked financial documents, laptop, and international coins in morning light Expat Tax & FinanceJune 14, 2026

FBAR: The $10,000 Trap Every Expat Must Understand

The $10,000 FBAR threshold is aggregate across all foreign accounts, not per account. Who must file, what counts, and the penalty math after Bittner.

Expatriate reviewing asset valuations and financial documents before renouncing citizenship Expat Tax & FinanceJune 14, 2026

US Exit Tax: What Covered Expatriates Actually Owe

The US Exit Tax hits covered expatriates with a deemed sale of all worldwide assets. Learn the 3 tests, the 90K exclusion, IRA traps, and planning

tax documents and passport on a government desk representing US expatriation exit tax Expat Tax & FinanceJune 13, 2026

WEP and GPO Repealed: Expats With Foreign Pensions Win

WEP and GPO ended in January 2025, giving expats with foreign pensions their full SS benefits. Average retroactive payout: $6,710. Here is the tax

American suburban home with For Sale sign in front yard representing expat selling US property from abroad Expat Tax & FinanceJune 13, 2026

Section 121 Exclusion: Selling Your US Home as an Expat

Move abroad and a 3-year clock starts on your $250K–$500K Section 121 exclusion. Learn the deadline, depreciation recapture, and how not to lose it.

Modern bank interior with marble teller counter and warm lighting representing foreign bank account reporting Expat Tax & FinanceJune 12, 2026

FBAR: The $10,000 Rule Every US Expat Must Know

Every US expat with over $10,000 across foreign accounts must file FinCEN Form 114. Learn FBAR rules, deadlines, penalties, and how to catch up.

Couple meeting with a tax advisor with two different passports on the desk illustrating a cross-border marriage tax decision Expat Tax & FinanceJune 12, 2026

Filing US Taxes With a Non-Citizen Spouse

The §6013(g) election lets you file jointly with your nonresident alien spouse and double the FEIE to $260k — but it is permanent and irreversible.

Accountant desk with legal documents and ledger books for US exit tax planning Expat Tax & FinanceJune 11, 2026

US Expatriation Tax: Section 877A Rules Explained

A $2M net worth triggers Section 877A mark-to-market tax on departure. Learn how covered expatriates are taxed and what to plan before you leave.