The Expat Tax Checklist (2026)

File a final state tax return marking it as "final" for your departure year.

Surrender your state driver's license or update it to a no-tax state if possible.

Change voter registration to your new location or unregister from your former state.

Close or re-register bank accounts to eliminate state tax nexus.

Update your mailing address with the USPS, IRS (Form 8822), and all financial institutions.

Cancel club memberships, gym memberships, and recurring local subscriptions.

Document the sale or lease of your U.S. home with dates and contracts.

Request a certificate of coverage if a Totalization Agreement applies to your employment.

Consult a tax preparer about FEIE vs. FTC strategy for your destination country.

Obtain your foreign residence permit, visa stamp, or cédula and keep copies.

Open local bank accounts—and immediately add them to your FBAR tracking list.

Register with the local tax authority if required (e.g., SRI in Ecuador, SAT in Mexico).

Begin tracking every day in and out of the U.S. for the Physical Presence Test.

Set up a travel log spreadsheet with dates, destinations, and transit details.

Notify your U.S. employer or clients of your foreign address for 1099/W-2 delivery.

Confirm your foreign health insurance meets local requirements and understand U.S. deduction rules.

Review whether your foreign pension or investment accounts trigger FATCA/FBAR reporting.

File U.S. federal tax return by June 15 (automatic 2-month extension for taxpayers abroad).

Request an additional extension to October 15 via Form 4868 if needed.

File FBAR (FinCEN 114) by April 15 (automatic extension to October 15).

Report foreign financial assets on Form 8938 if you meet the threshold ($200K+ for single expats).

Claim the FEIE on Form 2555 if you qualify, or the Foreign Tax Credit on Form 1116.

Make quarterly estimated tax payments if you are self-employed or have non-wage income.

Update your FBAR tracking spreadsheet with year-end maximum balances for all foreign accounts.

Review any changes in foreign tax laws, treaty updates, or IRS guidance that affect your filing.

Gather your last filed U.S. tax return and all foreign income documents.

List all foreign bank accounts and their maximum balances for each unfiled year.

Determine whether the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures fit your situation.

Review whether your failure to file was non-willful (honest mistake vs. intentional avoidance).

Consult a preparer before contacting the IRS—know your options before you act.

Do NOT file current-year returns only; address prior years through the appropriate program.