Tax Rules and Compliance

The purchase or sale of a home stateside can be challenging enough. Abroad, you also have to navigate the US expat tax reporting requirements, which can be a little confusing to say the least.  As a US expat, you may already know that your worldwide income must be reported on your American tax return and […]

The US is one of only two countries that uses a citizenship-based tax system rather than a territorial one. This means that the IRS taxes all US citizens, including dual citizens and Americans who live in other countries. So even if you already paid taxes in the country where you live abroad, if you are a […]

Do expats pay state taxes? If this question isn’t top of mind when planning an international move, it’s understandable. There are a lot of other (frankly more exciting) things to think about.  Amidst all the excitement, though, it’s important to keep practical details (such as your tax obligations) in mind. The US operates on a unique […]

The IRS Standard Deduction allows Americans to deduct a fixed amount of their income from US tax when they file their federal return. The Standard Deduction lets Americans avoid the hassle of itemizing their actual deductions when they file. The amount of the Standard Deduction was very low before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs […]

Over a million Americans have retired abroad, and millions more aspire to. The most common benefits include a better climate, affordable healthcare, and a better standard of living on retirement income. The most popular destination for Americans retiring abroad is Mexico, due to the twin appeals of its proximity and affordability. Many folks move there […]

Americans who move abroad are required to continue filing US taxes, reporting their worldwide income. This means that American citizens abroad often have to file two tax returns. The tax treaties that the US has with around 100 other countries don’t mitigate the risk of double taxation either, as they contain a ‘saving clause’ meaning […]

Many aspects of filing US taxes change drastically when living abroad. However, if you continue to work for an American company abroad as a W-2 employee, one thing will remain consistent: Filing an annual US tax return to report your income.  Navigating the realm of expat taxation can be a perplexing journey. For example, even […]

Over nine million US citizens are living abroad, including US military and diplomatic staff. According to US law, all of them who meet minimum IRS income requirements have to file a US tax return every year, reporting their worldwide income. Neither international tax treaties, nor where their income is sourced, nor whether US citizens living […]

Dual citizens, or dual nationals, are citizens of two different countries. Dual citizenship was prohibited in most countries in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, however the United States has allowed Americans to be dual citizens since 1967. Dual nationality is most often acquired either through parentage, or through naturalization (obtaining a second citizenship through […]

According to the IRS, round a million Americans are living abroad and not filing US taxes. (Would it help us to cite your source?) The requirement for Americans living abroad having to file US taxes on their global income was introduced way back during the Civil War, however it’s only in the last few years […]