Blog
Educational U.S. tax articles for Americans living abroad, including FBAR, FATCA, and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion topics.
272 resources found
Tax Strategy
The Bona Fide Residence Test is the second path to FEIE qualification. Learn the IRS factors, how to build evidence of foreign residency, and when this test is better than the Physical Presence Test.
Tax Strategy
Canadian RRSPs and TFSAs require different U.S. tax analyses. Learn how the treaty and IRS retirement-plan exception can protect qualifying RRSP/RRIF treatment, while TFSA classification depends on the account and holdings.
Tax Strategy
Calculate whether you are a covered expatriate before renouncing US citizenship. Learn the three tests — income tax, net worth, and compliance — and how to plan around them.
Compliance
Closed foreign bank accounts still trigger FBAR reporting if they were open during the calendar year and contributed to the aggregate $10,000 threshold. Learn the rules for reporting closed accounts.
Compliance
Cryptocurrency on foreign exchanges creates FBAR and tax reporting questions. Learn FinCEN's current rules for crypto, which foreign accounts count, and what expat crypto investors must do.
Compliance
Married couples with joint foreign bank accounts must understand FBAR joint filing rules, spousal exceptions, and when each spouse must file separately. Complete guide for expat couples.
Compliance
The Supreme Court's Bittner decision held that non-willful FBAR penalties accrue per report, not per account. Learn what this means for penalty exposure and catch-up decisions.
Compliance
Signature authority on foreign business accounts, family accounts, or employer accounts creates FBAR filing obligations even if you don't own the funds. Learn the rules and exceptions.
Tax Strategy
Revoking your FEIE election generally affects the next five tax years. Learn what the IRS says about revocation, re-election approval, and comparing FEIE with the Foreign Tax Credit before changing strategies.
Consultation first · Written scope
These answers cover the factors that usually determine your filing path: income, foreign accounts, forms, deadlines, and scope.