News and Updates

The IRS has officially powered down. As of October 8, 2025, a lapse in federal funding has sent most of the agency’s staff home on furlough—and left taxpayers, especially those overseas, wondering who’s still at the wheel. For Americans abroad, this isn’t just a minor inconvenience. The IRS is the hub for refunds, foreign income […]

Say goodbye to that familiar blue-and-white envelope—after decades of mailing out IRS paper checks, the Treasury is pulling the plug. Starting soon, most income tax refunds will arrive via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or other digital payment systems, not the old-fashioned paper check in your mailbox. Why does this matter? For millions of Americans, getting […]

Just when you thought U.S. tax policy couldn’t get any more complicated, Congress has passed a major change: a federal remittance tax on money sent abroad. Starting January 1, 2026, anyone wiring funds out of the United States—including U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even non-citizens—will face a new 1% tax on qualifying transfers when […]

If you thought Congress couldn’t surprise you anymore, welcome to 2025—where the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” has everyone from Paris to Phnom Penh giving their tax advisors a panicked call. This isn’t just political theater: with President Trump back in the White House and House Republicans pushing hard on spending cuts, tax cuts, and the […]

In a twist the Roman Catholic Church probably didn’t see coming, newly elected Pope Leo XIV may be facing more than just spiritual obligations—he might owe the IRS. According to early reports (and more than a few breaking news segments), the new pontiff has ties to the United States. And as any U.S. expat knows, […]

Trump is back in the White House—and taxes are back on the table. With his re-election in 2024, President Donald Trump has reignited one of the biggest financial debates in America: what happens next to your federal income taxes. At the heart of it? The Trump tax cuts of 2017, many of which are set […]

Millions of Americans living abroad face the burden of citizenship-based taxation (CBT), which requires them to file and often pay taxes on their worldwide income regardless of residency. The US is one of only two countries with such a system. Now, a proposed residence-based taxation (RBT) bill is sparking hope and debate among expats. What […]

At Bright!Tax, we understand that living abroad offers a golden opportunity to broaden one’s horizons, immerse in new cultures, and embrace life-changing experiences. This belief is at the heart of our Bright!Tax Global Scholar initiative, founded in 2016 to support exceptional young students pursuing academic and cultural growth overseas. Since its start nearly 10 years […]

At Bright!Tax, we believe in leveraging our resources to foster a brighter future. Through the Bright!Lights project, we channel our commitment to philanthropy by supporting initiatives that have a profound impact on global well-being, and connect to the values of our team or clients in some way. Bright!Lights is our attempt to create a ripple […]