How to File FBAR from China

If you are an American living in China with Chinese bank accounts, you may need to file FBAR (FinCEN Form 114). This guide walks you through the process step by step, with China-specific details.

Who Needs to File

You must file FBAR if the aggregate value of all your foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. This includes bank accounts and investment accounts held in China or any other foreign country.

Step-by-Step Filing Process

Step 1: Identify All Foreign Accounts

List all foreign financial accounts. For China:

• Chinese bank accounts (ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China)
• Investment accounts at Chinese brokers
• Accounts in other countries

Step 2: Get Account Statements

Log in to each bank's online banking and download statements showing the maximum balance. For Chinese banks:

• ICBC: Online banking → "账户" → "交易明细"
• Bank of China: Online banking → "账户" → "交易明细"
• China Construction Bank: Online banking → "账户" → "交易明细"

Step 3: Convert to USD

China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB). Convert each account's maximum balance to USD using the Treasury Department's year-end exchange rate.

Step 4: File Electronically

FBAR is filed electronically through FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System.

Step 5: Keep Records

Keep copies for 5 years.

Deadlines

FBAR is due April 15, with automatic extension to October 15.

Common Mistakes

1. Not aggregating across countries — If you have accounts in China and elsewhere, combine them.
2. Using wrong exchange rate — Use Treasury year-end rate.
3. Filing FBAR with your tax return — FBAR is filed separately with FinCEN.
4. Capital controls — China restricts foreign exchange, which may affect how you access funds.

How FileAbroad Can Help

FileAbroad prepares FBAR filings for Americans with foreign accounts in China and other countries.

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FileAbroad explains U.S. federal tax and U.S. international information-reporting consequences of documented foreign facts. It does not provide foreign-country legal or tax representation, valuation opinions, banking or remittance advice, or advice on what a foreign authority will accept.

Scope statement reviewed 2026-08-30 · FileAbroad product/content owner