Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

California State Taxes For US Expats

California isn’t all sun, surf, and sand. Unfortunately, the Golden State is also home to the highest state tax rates in the US. On top of that, the state of California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is known as one of the biggest sticklers among state tax bodies. As a result, some former California residents are […]

Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2023: A Guide for US Remote Workers

Digital Nomad Visa in Spain

*Note: The figures noted as the financial requirements should be confirmed directly with the appropriate Spanish government website at your time of application. This is because Spain is raising the minimum wage threshold, which will impact the associated financial requirements for digital nomads. The Spain digital nomad visa offers an exciting opportunity for US citizens […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Dual Citizenship Taxes: A Guide for US Expats

dual citizens taxes US expats

Dual citizenship comes with many perks, like unrestricted permission to live and work in a particular country. It also often lets you benefit from that country’s social programs, vote, and pass citizenship onto your children. The not-so-great part? Dual citizenship taxes can be complex. Those with dual citizenship between the United States and another country […]

Small Business Owners & Form 1099-K: What You Need to Know

If you’re a business owner, freelancer, independent contractor, or otherwise self-employed, you may have already heard about Form 1099-K. While the form was first introduced in 2011, it’s made headlines in recent years for drastic changes in its reporting thresholds — which have changed yet again for 2024. Below, we’ll walk you through the basics […]