Tax Planning & Advice

What is a U.S. Person Under IRS Tax Rules?

Friends holding an American flag, celebrating as US persons overseas.

The IRS has a very inclusive definition of a “U.S. person”—and it’s not just about citizenship. If you hold a green card, live abroad, have American parents, or even spend a certain number of days in the States, congratulations: you may be a U.S. person for tax purposes. That matters because U.S. persons are required […]

Tax on Unearned Income: an Overview for US Expats

Tax on unearned income

When most people think about income taxes, they think about the taxes that are automatically withheld from their paycheck — or, if they’re self-employed, the quarterly tax estimates they pay to the government based on their expected earnings. While that does make up one component of income taxes, it’s not the only one. It’s important […]

Foreign Inheritance Tax: What Expats Need to Know

Foreign inheritance tax expats

Receiving an inheritance from abroad can be both a gift and a logistical challenge, especially for American taxpayers. Understanding the tax implications of a foreign inheritance is crucial for avoiding penalties and ensuring IRS compliance. Below, we break down everything you need to know about receiving a foreign inheritance in 2025, including how to file […]

A Simple Guide: IRA Contributions as an American Expat

IRA contributions American expat

Americans struggle with a lack of knowledge about their retirement plans. According to a survey by GOBankingRates, over 37% of Americans feel like they don’t know enough about retirement and need more education on how they can successfully retire.  When a US expat decides to move overseas, understanding how to contribute to their IRA retirement […]

Filing State Taxes as a US Expat: What You Need to Know

Filing state taxes expat

According to estimates from the US Department of State, over nine million Americans live abroad. And now that they left the US behind, it also makes sense to leave their state tax obligations behind, right?  Surprise, surprise, that’s not always the case. Sometimes even thousands of miles away from the US, American expats may still […]

How to Use IRS Exchange Rates for Your Tax Return

IRS Exchange Rates

All Americans whose income exceeds certain thresholds must file (and potentially pay) United States taxes. Due to the US’s system of citizenship-based taxation, this is true even for American citizens and resident aliens living abroad. But no matter what currency their income is issued in, US expats must report it in US dollars (USD) — […]