Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

Running an Online Business Abroad? Form 1099-K and Your U.S. Taxes

Woman shopping online from home, illustrating the kind of digital payment activity that may be reported on Form 1099-K.

If you run an online business, freelance, or sell goods while living abroad, you might receive IRS Form 1099-K. It reports payment transactions processed through platforms like PayPal, Stripe, or online marketplaces, rather than your actual profit or amount you ultimately owe in tax. Because Form 1099-K reflects total transactions rather than net earnings, it […]

Golden Visa Programs: How They Work and Who Qualifies

Happy homeowners celebrating a new house, reflecting the lifestyle appeal often associated with a golden visa.

Golden Visas are residency-by-investment programs that allow you to obtain legal residency in a country by making a qualifying financial investment. But the real value depends on the details: the country you choose, the type of investment required, the residency rules, and whether the program actually leads to permanent residence or citizenship.  This is where […]

Living Abroad and Self-Employed? When Schedule SE Applies

Man reading email on a laptop while relaxing on the beach, reflecting the self-employed lifestyle tied to Schedule SE.

Schedule SE is the IRS form used to calculate self-employment tax, and U.S. expats may need it even if their income tax bill ends up low or zero. In plain English: if you’re freelancing, consulting, or earning business income while living abroad, Schedule SE is the form that works out what you may owe for […]

Green Cards: What They Are, Who They’re For, and Why They Matter

Woman completing an online application for American permanent residency, related to 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.

Living Abroad and Filing U.S. Taxes? When an ITIN Is Required

Happy older couple walking through a city street, reflecting the everyday life of people who may need an ITIN for US tax purposes.

Living abroad doesn’t exempt you from filing a U.S. federal income tax return, but it can complicate the details. One of the most common issues expats run into has nothing to do with foreign income or tax credits – it’s identification.  If your spouse or dependent doesn’t have a Social Security number (SSN), you may […]