Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

How to Fill Out Form 1116 & Claim the FTC

A couple discussing the different tax documents they need to complete

While you may never have filed it while living within the United States, Form 1116 is a key component of many US expat tax returns. This form allows you to claim the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), one of the most important tax breaks for Americans living abroad. Many expats who pay taxes abroad find that […]

How to Move Your US Retirement Account Overseas

US retirement account overseas l

If you’re an expat, chances are you’ve toyed with the idea of moving your retirement account overseas with you. But how do you do it, and what does it mean for your taxes and reporting requirements?  The financial implication of moving your US retirement account overseas will depend on, among other things, the type of […]

Green Cards: Your Guide to Taxes, Application Process & More

Green cards

It’s not always easy to get detailed information about green cards. The US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) website can be technical and dense, which may leave you even more confused. As a dedicated tax firm for US immigrants and Americans abroad, we’re well familiar with green cards — so we’ve put together a brief, easy-to-understand guide.

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 […]

Do You Qualify for a FATCA Exemption?

Two people sitting at a wooden desk checking for FATCA exemptions

FATCA, or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, is a set of rules intended to enhance tax compliance by American taxpayers who hold financial assets outside the United States. If you’re like many taxpayers with accounts or other financial activities abroad, you’d want to know whether FATCA applies to you so you can file the […]

8 Things US Expats Need to Know About Digital Nomad Taxes

Digital nomad taxes

Even just a decade ago, the term “digital nomad” would likely have been met with looks of confusion. Flash forward to today, though, and it’s become a household phrase. With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an explosion in remote work, more Americans than ever are taking advantage of this newfound flexibility to travel the world […]

The Top 8 Things You Need To Know About FATCA

FATCA

Enacted in 2010 by Congress to ensure U.S. taxpayers don’t hide money in foreign accounts to avoid paying taxes, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is regrettably still a cause of confusion and misunderstanding. In this article, we reveal eight crucial things you need to know about FATCA. Let’s dive in. 1. FATCA is […]

How to Become an Expat: Tips to Plan and Prepare

How to become a US expat

More and more Americans feel the pull to explore life in another country. According to research by the University of Kent, over 33% of Americans aspire to move overseas in the future. As remote work has become more mainstream, many Americans enjoy many opportunities to travel abroad and explore new cultures simultaneously.  As exciting as […]