Bright!Tax US Expat Tax Blog

Health Insurance for US Expats: How Coverage Works Abroad

Couple relaxing on the beach with their dog, reflecting the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance for US expats.

Healthcare doesn’t work the same everywhere, and for U.S. citizens abroad, that difference can be more than just a cultural adjustment. From government-run systems to private international plans, the structure of healthcare (and how you pay for it) can vary significantly from country to country. If you’re used to employer-sponsored coverage or options unique to […]

Form 8938: What U.S. Expats Must Report Under FATCA Rules

Young couple reviewing documents with a financial advisor, discussing reporting requirements for Form 8938.

You know that foreign pension you barely remember signing up for? Or the joint account you opened just to pay rent abroad? Yeah—the IRS wants to talk about it. Officially called the Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, form 8938 is how the U.S. keeps tabs on Americans with money overseas. If you’re a U.S. […]

Running a U.S. Business From Overseas? You May Need to File a BOIR

Businesswoman working from her home office, representing a small business owner who may need to file a BOIR.

Running a business abroad comes with its fair share of challenges—unexpected paperwork, changing compliance rules, and the occasional late-night Google search about U.S. requirements you hadn’t thought about. And one obligation that has repeatedly stumped many American entrepreneurs is the Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR).  BOIR is a requirement for certain businesses to disclose information […]

Understanding FBAR: How the U.S. Tracks Foreign Accounts

Young woman using an ATM, a reminder that foreign bank accounts like this may need to be reported under FBAR.

Got a bank account abroad? Congratulations—you’re more interesting than the average taxpayer. Unfortunately, you’re also on the IRS’s radar. Enter the FBAR: the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Filed on FinCEN Form 114, the FBAR exists thanks to the Bank Secrecy Act, which basically says, “If you’ve got money overseas, we want the […]