Expat Tax Forms

If you’re wondering how to amend a tax return, don’t worry — you’re far from alone. Filing US taxes from abroad can be complex. It’s not uncommon for US expats to make errors, only to realize it after they’ve already submitted their return. Fortunately, that’s what an amended US individual income return (Form 1040-X) is […]

The Streamlined Procedure is an IRS amnesty program that was introduced in its current form in 2014 to allow certain expats who aren’t compliant with their US tax filing to catch up without facing penalties. All American citizens and Green Card holders are required to file US taxes on their worldwide income. When they file, […]

All Americans (including green card holders) are required to file US taxes, reporting their worldwide income, including expats. Many expats mistakenly assume that they don’t have to file US taxes if they don’t have US sourced income, or due to a tax treaty, however all Americans who earn over $12,000 or just $400 of self-employment […]

If you have a stake in a foreign partnership, you might have a new tax form on your hands: Form 8865. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires certain U.S. citizens with foreign partnership interests to report their share of income, losses, and transactions. While it might not be the most exciting part of managing a business abroad, filing correctly is essential—missing it can […]

If you’re investing internationally, you might not realize that some foreign assets come with extra IRS reporting requirements. Enter Form 8621—the form U.S. taxpayers must file when they own Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs). PFICs can include foreign mutual funds, ETFs, and even certain foreign corporations. The IRS keeps a close watch on these investments, and failing […]

US expats are required to file US taxes, reporting their worldwide income, regardless of the fact that they live abroad. Many expats are also required to file taxes in the country where they live, too, raising the possibility of double taxation on the same income. To avoid this scenario, the IRS has put in place […]

Americans who live abroad are still required to file a US tax return, reporting their worldwide income. Expats can claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and/or the Foreign Housing Exclusion however, which allow them to pay less (or in many cases no) US tax (although they still have to file a US return to claim […]

Americans living abroad are still subject to US tax filing requirements on their worldwide income. There are also further US filing requirements just for expats, including having to report foreign bank and investment accounts if the expat’s combined balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year, and reporting foreign financial assets on form 8938. […]

If your U.S. business has foreign ownership, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) isn’t just curious—it requires you to spill the details on Form 5472. Think of it as the agency’s way of making sure international businesses aren’t skirting U.S. tax laws. This form is mandatory for foreign-owned U.S. corporations and disregarded entities that engage in reportable transactions with a foreign related party—a broad category that includes everything […]

You know that foreign pension you barely remember signing up for? Or the joint account you opened just to pay rent abroad? Yeah—the IRS wants to talk about it. Officially called the Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, form 8938 is how the U.S. keeps tabs on Americans with money overseas. If you’re a U.S. […]