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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

150 guides in this topic.

Open resources
Student settling into apartment for a semester of study abroad Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 20, 2026

529 Room and Board Rules for Study Abroad

Verify foreign-school eligibility, half-time enrollment, and the room-and-board cap before using 529 funds for a semester or degree abroad.

 Expat comparing tax extension timelines at a walnut desk Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 19, 2026

Form 2350 vs. 4868 for Expats

Compare Form 2350 and Form 4868, choose the right expat tax extension, protect Form 2555 eligibility, and avoid payment penalties.

 Expat couple organizing mortgage income records at a walnut table Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 19, 2026

FEIE and Mortgage Qualification for Expats

Show lenders your full foreign earnings despite Form 2555. Build a documented FEIE mortgage file with transcripts, translations, and clean math.

 Expat couple organizing foreign assets for a United States mortgage Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 18, 2026

Foreign Assets for a U.S. Mortgage

Document foreign savings, avoid transfer delays, and keep your U.S. home closing on track with a program-specific evidence checklist.

 Overseas rental apartment tax review with keys and calculator Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 18, 2026

Foreign Rental Tax Software: 7 Tests

Test foreign rental tax software for 30-year ADS, Form 1116, FBAR, and currency handling before you file an expensive mistake.

 Overseas rental property documents prepared for United States mortgage underwriting Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 16, 2026

Use Foreign Rental Income for a U.S. Mortgage

Document foreign rental income, calculate lender cash flow, and prepare translations, transfers, and reserves for a stronger U.S. mortgage file.

 Expat reviews financial records before choosing tax filing help Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 16, 2026

Expat Tax Software: 7 Reasons to Hire Help

Check 7 expat tax software red flags, compare verified filing costs, and know when specialist help can prevent a $10,000 reporting mistake.

 Investor organizing brokerage records before an international move Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 16, 2026

Change Your Brokerage Address Before Moving

Use this expat brokerage address change checklist to protect account access, preserve tax lots, and transfer investments without forced sales.

 Investor calculating TFSA currency conversions at a walnut desk Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 15, 2026

TFSA Exchange Rates on Form 8949

Convert TFSA trades into U.S. dollars, reconstruct tax lots, and calculate Form 8949 gains without mixing Canadian and U.S. basis rules.

 Mortgage closing table with expat funds and house keys Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 13, 2026

Fannie Mae Foreign Assets for Expats

Use Fannie Mae foreign-asset rules to move overseas funds into verifiable US dollars for down payment, closing costs, and reserves.

 French assurance vie tax review on a quiet apartment table Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 12, 2026

French Assurance-Vie U.S. Tax Traps

Understand French assurance-vie U.S. tax traps, PFIC fund exposure, policy classification, and cross-border costs before you buy.

 Kitchen table setup for cross-border education savings planning Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 12, 2026

Canadian RESP for U.S. Parents

Compare Canadian RESP grants, ownership, investments, and U.S. compliance costs before adding more education savings for a child.

 Expat tax workspace with calculator passport and blank forms Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 11, 2026

Foreign Income Tax Software Checklist

Compare expat tax software by Form 2555, Form 1116, FBAR, Form 8938, state filing, and real add-on costs before you pay.

 Cross-border TFSA review workspace with calculator and passport Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 11, 2026

TFSA Nonresident Contribution Penalty

Avoid the TFSA nonresident contribution penalty by checking CRA residency, contribution room, 1% monthly costs, and US-person issues first.

 Expat tax extension planning desk with passport and calculator Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 8, 2026

Form 2350 vs 4868 for Expats

Choose Form 4868 or Form 2350 with a simple expat decision rule, FEIE timing examples, and filing-date traps to avoid now.

 Parent planning foreign university tuition with 529 account documents Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 7, 2026

Use a 529 at Foreign Universities

Use 529 funds abroad safely: verify foreign school eligibility, document qualified costs, and avoid taxable withdrawal mistakes.

 Tax planning desk with passport and organized disclosure folders Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 4, 2026

Form 8833 For Expats: Treaty Disclosure

Learn when expats use Form 8833 for treaty disclosure, common exceptions, dual-resident risks, and how to avoid $1,000 penalties.

 Organized expat banking records on a sunlit apartment table Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 2, 2026

FBAR $10,000 Rule for Expats

Use the FBAR $10,000 aggregate rule to decide when to file, calculate account peaks, and avoid costly foreign account mistakes.

 Expat tax desk with calculator passport and foreign coins Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 1, 2026

Expat Interest Income: Schedule B Guide

Learn how US expats report foreign savings interest, convert currencies, and avoid Schedule B and Form 8938 filing mistakes.

 Foreign account compliance workspace for expat signature authority Expat Tax & FinanceAugust 1, 2026

FBAR Signature Authority for Expats

FBAR signature authority rules for expat founders, freelancers, employees, and family account signers with foreign accounts.

 Expat tax extension planning workspace with blank calendar and calculator Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 29, 2026

Form 4868 vs 2350 for Expats

Compare Form 4868 and Form 2350 for expats, choose the right extension, and protect cash flow before claiming Form 2555.

 Mortgage planning documents for an expat buying a US home Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 28, 2026

US Mortgage as an Expat: Document Checklist

Prepare the income, asset, credit, translation, and closing documents lenders ask for when expats apply for a U.S. mortgage.

 Packing bench for cross-border ecommerce orders and VAT planning Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 27, 2026

EU VAT for US Ecommerce Sellers

Learn when U.S. ecommerce sellers need EU VAT, OSS, or IOSS, and fix checkout rules before taxes erase profit margins overseas.

 Education savings tax planning desk with calculator and blank supplies Expat Tax & FinanceJuly 27, 2026

Canada Education Grant for US Families

Compare the ,200 CESG benefit with RESP trust, FBAR, Form 8938, and PFIC costs before funding a cross-border education plan.