Moving to Colombia from the US: Tax Checklist for Americans

Moving to Colombia is exciting, but the tax implications start before you leave. Colombia's worldwide income taxation creates unique pre-move planning needs. This checklist covers the key tax steps before, during, and after your move.

Before You Move (3-6 months before)

State Tax Exit

• If you live in California, New York, Florida, or another state with tax implications, plan your exit carefully
• Surrender your driver's license and obtain a new one
• Cancel voter registration
• Sell or rent out property
• Close or minimize bank accounts in your former state
• Consider establishing residency in a no-tax state (Texas, Florida, Nevada) before moving abroad

FEIE Planning

• Understand the physical presence test (330 days outside the US in a 12-month period)
• Plan your move date to maximize your first-year FEIE
• Keep detailed travel records from day one

Visa Planning

• Research visa options: digital nomad visa, retirement visa, work visa
• Colombia's digital nomad visa (introduced 2022) allows remote work for foreign companies
• None determine your US tax treatment

Banking

• Plan for Colombian bank account opening (requires cédula de extranjería)
• Keep at least one US bank account open
• Understand FBAR reporting requirements

First Year Filing

Partial-Year FEIE

In your first year abroad, you may qualify for partial-year FEIE.

Colombian Tax Residency

You become a Colombian tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in Colombia during a calendar year.

FBAR

File FBAR for all foreign accounts, including Colombian accounts, if the aggregate value exceeds $10,000.

Establishing Colombia Tax Residency

• Obtain cédula de extranjería
• Open a Colombian bank account
• Register with DIAN (Colombian tax authority) if self-employed

Common Pre-Move Mistakes

1. Not planning state tax exit — California and New York can follow you abroad for years.
2. Not tracking travel days — You need 330 days outside the US for the physical presence test.
3. Not understanding Colombian tax residency — The 183-day test determines residency.
4. Not reporting Colombian bank accounts on FBAR — All foreign accounts are reportable.

Timeline Checklist

3 months before:

• Research visa options
• Plan state tax exit strategy
• Set up travel tracking system

1 month before:

• Surrender state driver's license (if needed)
• Cancel state voter registration
• Document your move

First month in Colombia:

• Obtain cédula de extranjería
• Open Colombian bank account
• Register with DIAN (if self-employed)

First tax season:

• File US tax return with FEIE/FTC
• File FBAR
• File Colombian tax return (if resident)
• Make quarterly estimated tax payments (if self-employed)

When to Get Professional Help

You should consider professional help before you move, especially if you live in a high-tax state, have complex income, or are unsure about visa implications.

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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