Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

US Taxes for Expats – FATCA Filing Requirements in 2019

fatca filing requirements expats

Americans who live abroad are required to continue filing a federal tax return each year, reporting their worldwide income, even if they’re also filing a tax return in the country where they’re living. When expats file their federal return they can claim one or more exemptions that the IRS has made available by filing the […]

Should Expats Report a Mortgage Account in an FBAR?

expat reporting mortgage in fbar

Americans living abroad are required to file US taxes, reporting their worldwide income.   To avoid paying any US taxes when they file, expats can claim one or more exemptions that the IRS has made available. There are also additional reporting requirements for US expats, notably reporting their foreign financial accounts annually by filing a […]

Taxes for US Expats – How Many Days Can I Spend in the US?

expat counting days in US

Because all American citizens and green card holders are required to file a US tax return, reporting their worldwide income, the IRS provides a number of exemptions that can be claimed that help expats minimize (and most often eliminate entirely) their US tax liability.   These exemptions must be claimed when expats file their federal […]

Form W-8BEN – What US Expats Need to Know

expats filing form w-8ben

Americans who move abroad are required to continue filing US taxes, reporting their worldwide income, wherever in the world they may live. The US is almost unique in having this requirement for expats to file. As expats may also have to pay taxes in the country where they live, the IRS has provided some exemptions, […]

I’m an expat and I’ve never filed taxes, what should I do?

expat never filed taxes

All Americans (including green card holders) are required to file a federal tax return each year, reporting their worldwide income, irrespective of where in the world they live. This requirement is almost unique to America (most countries tax based on whether you live or have income or assets in the country), and as it’s perhaps […]

Brandon Fathy Awarded Bright!Tax Global Scholar Award

Brandon Fathy

Brandon Fathy has been named as the latest Bright!Tax Global Scholar Award Winner. Thanks to Bright!Tax’ support, Brandon will be taking up a place at the University of Leicester in the UK to begin a PHD in Archeology in January. The Bright!Tax Global Scholar Program was set up in 2016 to provide opportunities for exceptional […]

IRS Form 8858 – What US Expats Need to Know

expat filing form 8858

What is form 8858? The IRS requires US taxpayers who are owners of Foreign Disregarded Entities to file form 8858, Information Return of US Persons With Respect to Foreign Disregarded Entities. What is a Foreign Disregarded Entity? The IRS defines a Foreign Disregarded Entity (FDE) as “an entity that is not created or organized in […]

Year-End Tax Planning Guide for Expats in 2018

2018 year end tax planning

It’s that time of year again when we start taking stock of 2018 and looking ahead to the holiday season and next year. For many expats, it makes sense to start getting their ducks in a row now, in terms of year-end tax planning , to avoid a last minute rush in December when they […]

Is There a Foreign Income Tax Credit for U.S. Expats?

expat foreign income tax credit

Of the more than nine million Americans who live overseas, many of them only discovered that they are required to file U.S. taxes from abroad, reporting their worldwide income, after they had moved. Millions of U.S. expats must also pay income tax in the country where they live, so the question arises of how to […]