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.
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.
Latest guides
117 guides in this topic.
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
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.