Tax Rules and Compliance

Landing a job at the United Nations might sound like a diplomatic dream—global mission, international colleagues, and not a cubicle in sight. But for U.S. citizens and resident aliens working at the UN, there’s one very terrestrial reality that refuses to go away: your tax obligations back home. Unlike most jobs, working for the UN […]

Once upon a time, moving your money overseas meant it could quietly stay overseas. In 2026? Your bank is practically CC’ing the IRS—and its international cousins—before you’ve even filed your own taxes. Thanks to FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), global banking transparency isn’t optional anymore. Banks, investment […]

The term “California exit tax” gets thrown around like it’s a cover charge to cross the Nevada line. It isn’t. What people are mixing up: (1) a rumor about paying just to leave, (2) splashy wealth-tax proposals that grabbed headlines but didn’t become law, and (3) the perfectly normal rule that California still taxes California-source […]

You didn’t skip filing your FBAR on purpose. You just didn’t know you had to. Welcome to the club. The FBAR (that’s the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) is one of the most commonly missed filings among U.S. expats. It’s not part of your tax return. It’s not about owing more money. But […]

If you’ve ever opened a bank account overseas and been hit with a million questions about your U.S. citizenship, you’ve met FATCA—whether you knew it or not. Short for the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, FATCA was born in 2010 when the U.S. government decided it really, really didn’t want to miss out on taxes […]

Here’s a fun fact no one tells you before moving abroad: you might end up paying into two social security systems at once—your host country and the U.S. Talk about double the paperwork, none of the fun. That’s where totalization agreements (a.k.a. international Social Security agreements) come in. These bilateral deals coordinate the U.S. system […]

Leaving the country? The Internal Revenue Service hopes you’re enjoying the view—because they’re coming with you. As far as the U.S. tax code is concerned, moving abroad doesn’t mean you’ve escaped your obligations. In fact, it may mean you’ve got more to keep track of. Citizenship, not location, is what ties you to the U.S. […]

Living abroad may change your view, your routine, and your favorite snacks—but not your tax obligations. As long as you’re a U.S. citizen or green card holder, the IRS still expects you to file—no matter where in the world you live or work. That includes digital nomads, retirees, self-employed entrepreneurs, and remote employees. The problem? […]

Just found out about PFICs and feeling a little panicked? You’re not alone. Many U.S. expats with foreign investments don’t realize they own a Passive Foreign Investment Company until they’re knee-deep in tax forms—or worse, facing unexpected tax bills. The IRS classifies many foreign mutual funds, ETFs, and investment funds as PFICs, and unfortunately, they come with some of the most […]

Living in Canada as a U.S. expat brings exciting opportunities—but it can also create tax headaches, especially when it comes to double taxation. If you’re earning income in Canada, you might worry about being taxed twice: once by the Canadian government and again by the IRS. The good news? With the right knowledge and strategies, […]