Topic library

Form 8621

11 resources covering form 8621 for Americans living or filing abroad.

Blog

August 3, 2026

Foreign Pensions and U.S. Tax: A Practical Review for Expats

How Americans abroad should map foreign pension plans, employer contributions, distributions, treaties, PFICs, trusts, and information reporting.

Blog

August 3, 2026

PFIC Excess Distribution Method: Section 1291 Explained

Learn how the PFIC excess-distribution method works, when the section 1291 rules can apply, and why Form 8621 elections require a holding-period review.

Blog

August 3, 2026

Foreign Insurance Policies and PFIC Questions for Expats

How to review foreign life insurance and investment-linked policies for PFIC, Form 8938, FBAR, and income-reporting questions.

Blog

August 3, 2026

PFIC Mark-to-Market Election: When It May Apply

Understand the Form 8621 mark-to-market election for publicly traded PFIC stock, timing issues, annual income treatment, and the records needed to evaluate it.

Blog

August 3, 2026

UK ISA and PFIC Tax for U.S. Taxpayers

Why a UK ISA requires a U.S. tax review, how foreign funds can create PFIC questions, and which records to gather before assuming the account is tax-free.

Blog

July 31, 2026

Are Foreign Mutual Funds PFICs? What Expats Need to Know

Foreign mutual funds, UCITS, OEICs, and unit trusts inside ISAs are almost always PFICs. Learn why and what US expats should hold instead.

Blog

July 31, 2026

PFIC Penalties: The True Cost of Getting It Wrong

PFIC excess distributions trigger interest charges, effective 50%+ tax rates, and $10,000 penalties per missed Form 8621. Learn the real cost of PFIC non-compliance.

Blog

July 31, 2026

What Is a PFIC? A Practical Guide for American Expats

Learn how the PFIC income and asset tests work, why many foreign pooled investments require review, and how Form 8621 treatment can differ by fund and election.

Blog

July 30, 2026

PFIC Questions Inside a Foreign Pension: Start With the Wrapper

Foreign pensions that hold pooled investments can create PFIC and trust-classification questions for U.S. taxpayers. Learn what to verify for UK SIPPs, Australian superannuation, Canadian RRSPs, and other retirement wrappers.

Blog

July 30, 2026

How to Identify PFICs in Your Portfolio: A Checklist for US Expats

Use this practical checklist to screen for PFICs in a foreign investment portfolio. Learn the red flags, what documents to request, and what to ask before buying a foreign fund.

Blog

July 30, 2026

PFIC Mark-to-Market vs. QEF: Which Election Should You Make?

QEF and mark-to-market are different PFIC elections with different information and timing requirements. Learn how each works, when a fund statement is needed, and what to verify before changing an election.