IRS Tax Forms For US Expats

US Expat Tax Forms

Because the US taxes based on citizenship, all Americans, including expats, are required to file a federal tax return each year, reporting their worldwide income. Expats often also have to file additional IRS forms, to avoid double taxation.

IRS Tax Forms for Expats

Expats may also have to file IRS tax forms relating to any foreign bank and investment accounts they may have, as well as reporting their foreign financial assets and foreign registered businesses.

How to File an Amended Tax Return: 1040-X [Expat Edition]

US expat researches, "How to file an amended return" on her laptop on an outdoor terrace.

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 […]

IRS Form 8965 – Everything US Expats Need to Know

IRS Form 8965 - Everything US Expats Need to Know

All Americans, including expats, are required to file US taxes every year, reporting their global income. Tax Treaties don’t inherently prevent expats from having to file or pay US taxes. Instead, expats can claim IRS provisions to achieve this by filing additional forms when they file their federal return. These provisions include the Foreign Tax […]

Breaking News: IRS Updates Form 1040 for 2019

IRS Updates Form 1040 for 2019 filing in 2020

The IRS has released a new draft Form 1040 for 2019 tax year (filing in 2020). While the new form is still in a public consultation phase, it’s notably different from the current Form 1040, which itself was only introduced just in time for the 2018 tax year and was a big departure from the […]

What is the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) & Form 6251?

Form 6251 Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for Expats

Most US expats are familiar with ordinary income taxes, which range from 10% to 37% depending on overall taxable income. Through expat-specific tax breaks, Americans abroad can often greatly reduce or eliminate their US tax liability. While this is generally a good thing, it can make high-income expats more susceptible to the Alternative Minimum Tax […]

New Form 1040 in 2019 – Everything Expats Need to Know

new form 1040 for expats in 2019

Living abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime, however it can be slightly marred for American expats because they are required to continue filing a US tax return from overseas, reporting their worldwide income.   Expats filing in 2019 however will find that form 1040 is new, for the first time in decades. Will new […]

Form W-8BEN – What US Expats Need to Know

expats filing form w-8ben

Americans who move abroad are required to continue filing US taxes, reporting their worldwide income, wherever in the world they may live. The US is almost unique in having this requirement for expats to file. As expats may also have to pay taxes in the country where they live, the IRS has provided some exemptions, […]

IRS Form 8858 – What US Expats Need to Know

expat filing form 8858

What is form 8858? The IRS requires US taxpayers who are owners of Foreign Disregarded Entities to file form 8858, Information Return of US Persons With Respect to Foreign Disregarded Entities. What is a Foreign Disregarded Entity? The IRS defines a Foreign Disregarded Entity (FDE) as “an entity that is not created or organized in […]

IRS Tax Forms For US Expats – Everything You Need to Know

expats filing irs tax forms

Americans living abroad are required to continue filing a U.S. federal tax return, reporting their worldwide income. To avoid having to pay U.S. taxes, expats must claim one or more exemptions that the IRS has made available for them, such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit by filing additional forms. […]

Form 8865: A Guide for Expats with Foreign Partnerships

man sitting in a table while using his laptop

Filing taxes from abroad often differs from filing within the US. Sometimes in good ways — for example, many expats qualify for unique tax breaks like the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) or the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE). However, life abroad can also trigger new or different reporting obligations. Those with a foreign partnership, for […]