11/17/2025
Tax compliance is a major consideration for any business owner, particularly when dealing with international tax obligations. Form 1120-F, U.S. Income Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation, plays a crucial role in how foreign corporations with U.S. business activities report their income and calculate their tax liabilities. Despite its importance, many international business owners are […]
10/06/2025
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 […]
05/29/2026
The Bright!Tax Awards Committee is pleased to announce that Olivia Cunningham is the latest recipient of the prestigious Global Scholar Award for Americans studying abroad. Olivia originally hails from Boston, however since undertaking a study abroad opportunity in her senior year of high school, she has been embracing life abroad. She completed her undergraduate degree […]
10/06/2025
The US tax system is based on citizenship, which means that American citizens living abroad are required to file US taxes every year, reporting their worldwide income. As American expats often have to file foreign taxes too (depending on the rules in the country where they live), they get longer to file, with expats’ tax […]
10/06/2025
The US requires all American Citizens to file US taxes, reporting their global income, wherever in the world they live or receive income. Because many American expats have to file foreign taxes in another country too, the IRS has introduced some provisions that expats can claim when they file to avoid double taxation. The two […]
11/17/2025
When most people think about income taxes, they think of the taxes automatically withheld from their paycheck — or, if they’re self-employed, the quarterly tax estimates they pay. But, what about taxes on unearned income? Unearned income — also known as passive income — refers to the income you don’t actively work for. This can […]
11/17/2025
You may already know that Americans who own rental property in the United States can claim depreciation to reduce their tax liability. What you may not realize, though, is that US expats can also claim depreciation on rental property based abroad. While foreign rental property depreciation has some unique nuances, we’re here to walk you […]
11/17/2025
If you’re wondering how to amend a tax return, don’t worry — you’re far from alone. Filing US taxes from abroad can be complex. It’s not uncommon for US expats to make errors, only to realize it after they’ve already submitted their return. Fortunately, that’s what an amended US individual income return (Form 1040-X) is […]
05/29/2026
David Miller is the first recipient of the Bright!Tax Global Scholar Award in 2020. Bright!Tax is the leading provider of US tax services for Americans living abroad. With expat clients in over 190 countries, Bright!Tax is keenly aware of the benefits of living abroad, and how the over 9 million US expats are both the new American […]
10/06/2025
Nine million Americans live abroad, and expats employed by foreign firms in particular, often have foreign retirement accounts. Because the US tax system is based on citizenship, all US citizens, including expats, have to file a tax return to the IRS every year, reporting their worldwide income and assets. Foreign retirement plans often have tax benefits […]