Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

Gifting Property To a Foreign Spouse and US Expat Taxes

There are times in life when family members exchange generous gifts with one another, such as during weddings, estate planning, or celebrations of life. However, while the focus may be on the act of giving or receiving foreign property, it is important to be aware of the tax implications that come along with it. These […]

FATCA Enforcement: What US Expats Need to Know 

Foreign financial institutions

For Americans living abroad, US taxes may feel like an “out of sight, out of mind” type of situation. However, the US’s citizen-based taxation system means that all citizens and permanent residents must file a tax return, regardless of where they live. To make matters more complicated, living abroad often triggers additional tax requirements and […]

The IRS Agency 2022 Annual Report: Implications for Expats

Every year, the IRS publishes an Annual Report. This report functions as a report card of sorts, dutifully noting its accomplishments and challenges.  In 2022, the IRS collected over $4.9 trillion in gross revenue to fund much of the federal government. These funds go to supporting federal infrastructures, including our national parks, air traffic control, […]

Retirement Accounts for US Expats

Whether or not you intend to retire abroad, there’s one thing you can never be too careful with: how you save for retirement right now. Retirement accounts for expats require careful research and planning, and for Americans living abroad, there are special considerations to take into account. In your sunset years, you’ll want to have […]

How to Calculate Physical Presence Test to Claim the FEIE

Moving abroad in the middle of the year

For some Americans moving abroad, filing taxes as an expat is the furthest thing from your mind. On the other hand, other Americans may already be researching how to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion in preparation for their big move (more on this shortly!). No matter where you fall on the spectrum of preparedness […]

US Expat Taxes 2025: 12 Tips from the Best Expat Tax Service

Woman living overseas successfully files taxes for expats by partnering with Bright!Tax.

Taxes for expats tend to be complicated, especially for US expats.  If you’re a US citizen living abroad with questions about what the expat tax filing requirements are, you’re not alone. Some expats aren’t even aware they need to continue filing US tax returns while living overseas.  Expatriate tax is a complicated realm for Americans […]

US Expat Taxes for Americans Living in Australia – A Guide

Tax resoures for Americans living in Australia

More than 100,000 Americans live in Australia Australia is an incredible place to live for a variety of reasons – the laid-back culture, the warm climate, and the beaches, to name just a few. As an American expatriate living in Australia, though, what exactly do you need to know regarding filing US expat (and Australian) […]

The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC): A Guide for US Expat Taxes

The US Foreign Tax Credit for Expats - the Ultimate Guide

Many US citizens living overseas are surprised to learn about their obligation to file an annual tax return with the IRS. What if you’re already living and working in another country, and paying foreign tax on that income? How can you avoid double taxation? This is where the IRS Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) comes into […]