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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.

  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

190 guides in this topic.

Open resources
Sunlit walnut desk with blank parcels and a brass calculator Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 29, 2026

Sales Tax Nexus When You Sell From Abroad

Compare the $100,000 and $500,000 state tests before you invoice US customers from abroad, including Illinois's 15% missing-address rule.

 Sunlit apartment table with coffee cup and analog calculator at dawn Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 19, 2026

IRS Interest Starts April 15 for Expats

Pay the IRS by April 15 even if you live abroad. Daily interest still runs, and the 0.5% monthly failure-to-pay penalty is a separate meter.

 Sunlit kitchen table beside packed boxes and winter coats Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 16, 2026

Keep a US 529 After You Move to Canada

CRA bills 529 growth that the IRS leaves untouched. Compare keep, gift, Roth rollover, and RESP options before you take up Canadian residence.

 Sunlit apartment table with cash calculator and coffee for tax payment Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 14, 2026

Pay IRS From Abroad Without a US Bank

Pay US tax from abroad by April 15. Direct Pay is free with a US bank; debit cards start at $2.10 and wires use ABA 091036164.

 Sunlit Scandinavian apartment table with ceramic mug and wool throw Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 12, 2026

Sweden SINK Tax: Cut Nonresident Rate to 22.5%

As of 2026, Sweden SINK is 22.5% on Swedish pay or pension if you live abroad. Model the SEK 3,799 allowance, 183-day rule, and US Form 1116.

 Rainy apartment workspace with walnut desk and north window light Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 11, 2026

Ireland SARP Tax Relief for US Assignees

Assigned to Ireland in 2026? Model the €125,000 SARP threshold, 90-day certification, USC still due, and how US Form 1116 credits the rest.

 Sunlit walnut desk with closed leather ledger and cream folder Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 10, 2026

Form 8606 Tracks After-Tax IRA Basis

Skip Form 8606 and after-tax IRA dollars can be taxed again. Record the $50/$100 penalties, year-end values, and the pro-rata formula before you

 Sealed cream envelope on walnut desk in sunlit brick office Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 9, 2026

Form 8802 Gets You IRS Form 6166

File IRS Form 8802 to receive Form 6166. Pay the $85 user fee, wait out the Philadelphia queue, and send the letter to cut foreign withholding.

 Warm walnut desk with sealed kraft mailers and brass lamp Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 7, 2026

Avoid Form 3520-A's $10,000 Trust Penalty

Learn Form 3520-A due dates, the $10,000 or 5% penalty, and the substitute filing path U.S. expats use when a foreign trustee will not file.

 Walnut study with brass scale and closed folders in window light Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 7, 2026

Form 8865: Avoid the $10,000 Penalty

Missing Form 8865 costs $10,000 per foreign partnership and can keep your 1040 open. Map Categories 1–4 before you contribute or take a 10% stake.

 Walnut desk with two closed folders beside a small brass scale Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 7, 2026

W-9 vs W-8BEN: The 24% TIN Certification Trap

US citizens overseas must certify on W-9, not W-8BEN. Wrong paperwork can take 24% of payouts or 30% of US-source items. Fix it before the next

 Sunlit foreign apartment with moving boxes and an empty oak table Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 6, 2026

Why 330 Days Abroad Can Still Fail FEIE

Pass the IRS tax home and abode tests before you file Form 2555. A 330-day count without a foreign tax home can wipe out the $130,000 FEIE.

 Hillside stone apartment terrace at golden hour with empty table Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 6, 2026

Italy Impatriate Tax: Cut IRPEF 50%

Model Italy's impatriate regime before you relocate: 50% of Italian work income falls out of IRPEF up to €600,000, then pair it with FEIE or FTC.

 Packed boxes on a sunlit wooden porch outside a hillside house Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 5, 2026

California FTB Work-Contract Safe Harbor

Use California’s FTB employment-contract harbor to leave resident tax. Track 45-day visits, the $200k intangible cap, and Form 540NR.

 Sunlit kitchen table with closed passport and courier pouch abroad Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 5, 2026

Spouse ITIN From Abroad Without Mailing a Passport

File Form W-7 from abroad, keep the original passport, and unlock the $32,200 joint standard deduction for tax year 2026.

 Sunlit Central European apartment with walnut table and window light Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 5, 2026

Hungary Tax Treaty Ended: What US Expats Owe

The US-Hungary tax treaty ended Jan 1, 2024. Map 30% withholding, Hungary's 5% residual PIT, and Form 1116 credits before you file.

 Sunlit dining table with envelopes and leather folio by a window Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 4, 2026

Form 709 Gift Tax Rules for US Expats

File Form 709 if you give over $19,000 to one person from abroad. Use the $19k exclusion, $194k spouse cap, and $15M lifetime shield.

 Rainlit walnut conference table in a canal-house Belgian office Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 4, 2026

Belgium Inbound Tax: 35% Free After €70k

Run Belgium’s €70,000 inbound floor and 35% tax-free cost math before you sign a contract. US Form 1040 still taxes worldwide pay.

 Winter Nordic apartment workspace with oak desk and lamp Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 3, 2026

Denmark Researcher Tax: 32.84% for US Expats

As of 2026, Denmark's researcher scheme taxes qualifying pay at 32.84% for up to 7 years. Check the DKK 65,400 salary test, US FEIE vs FTC, and FBAR.

 Sunlit apartment with packed carry-on beside an empty wooden table Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 2, 2026

Form 8840 Closer Connection Exception Guide

File Form 8840 before the weighted 183-day test makes you a US resident. Stay nonresident under 183 US days with a foreign tax home.

 Walnut desk and closed leather folio beside a rain-streaked sash window Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 2, 2026

UK Pension Lump Sum: The IRS Still Taxes It

HMRC can tax £0 on a 25% PCLS while the IRS taxes the whole amount. Convert at the payment date and model Form 1116 before you crystallise.

 Sunlit walnut study desk with calculator and closed brass folder Expat Tax & FinanceSeptember 2, 2026

529 Superfunding Abroad: The $95k Gift Path

Elect the $95k 529 five-year gift path from abroad. File Form 709 by April 15 and keep the 2026 $19,000 annual exclusion.

 Sunlit tropical school courtyard with empty benches at golden hour Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 31, 2026

529 K-12 Withdrawals for School Abroad

Map the $20,000 529 K-12 cap to tuition abroad, confirm the state-law school test, and avoid the 10% penalty on leftover earnings.

 Sunlit apartment table with sealed envelope beside a coffee cup Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 30, 2026

SSA Certificate of Coverage Request

Request the right Certificate of Coverage, attach it to Form 1040, and stop 15.3% US self-employment tax when a totalization agreement applies.