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.

Start with these guides

Open the strongest entry points before browsing the full archive.

US Expat Banking & TaxesStart with the complete framework for FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, banking access, and tax filing abroad.FEIE vs Foreign Tax CreditCompare the two main federal tax tools before choosing a filing strategy.Form 1116 Foreign Tax CreditWork through income baskets, the credit limitation, and carryovers before filing.Foreign Housing ExclusionCheck the Form 2555 housing rules and location-specific limits for Americans working abroad.State Taxes AbroadCheck whether your old state can still claim you after you leave.

Decision path

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

01
Map federal filing obligations before choosing a country.
02
Separate income tax, self-employment tax, and reporting forms.
03
Protect banking access with redundant accounts and a US mailing path.
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.