11/17/2025
If you’re a self-employed US expat, understanding your tax obligations is essential. Self-employed US expats are not only subject to income taxes but also Social Security taxes. Unlike working for an American employer (or some foreign employers1), you are responsible for keeping track of Social Security taxes when you’re self-employed. This is best done proactively […]
11/17/2025
It’s common for longtime US expats to consider the pros and cons of renouncing US citizenship. The annual filing requirement can take a toll on both nerves and patience, leading many to question why, exactly, they maintain their US citizenship. Contrary to popular belief, however, renouncing is a time-consuming process rife with bureaucratic hurdles. To […]
10/06/2025
Two years after Donald Trump signed into law his Tax Reform, in the last few days of December 2019 he signed another law called the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act. The law comes into immediate effect in 2020. It is designed to allow American taxpayers, including expats, to better plan and […]
10/06/2025
There are several routes to American citizenship, but the main one is that if you’re born in the US then you automatically become an American citizen. Some people are born in the US to foreign parents who may be there temporarily though, perhaps studying, on a temporary work assignment, or just on holiday. These families […]
10/06/2025
Skyler Rutkowski is the latest winner of the Bright!Tax Global Scholar Award. The award is made biannually to exceptional young Americans who wish to study overseas. Skyler is the eighth recipient of the award, which was launched in 2016 by Bright!Tax, the world-leading expat tax services firm. Skyler is currently working towards a PHD in […]
10/06/2025
Because the US taxes based on citizenship, American expats have to file US taxes from abroad, reporting all of their global income. Many Americans also have to file foreign taxes too, depending on the rules in the country (or countries where they live). Americans also often have to report their foreign registered bank and investment […]
10/06/2025
As we approach the end of year holidays, it’s a good time for expats to take stock and do some year-end tax planning. Year-end tax planning for expats falls into two broad categories: minimizing year 2019 taxes, and planning ahead for 2020. Minimizing year 2019 taxes Ensure that you qualify for the Foreign Earned Income […]
10/06/2025
Each year the IRS adjusts tax brackets, the Standard Deduction, and exclusion thresholds for inflation. Last week the IRS announced the new figures for 2020. These will be applied to the year from January 1st to December 31st 2020, the 2020 tax year, for which expats (along with Americans living stateside) will file in 2021. […]
10/06/2025
Many UK citizens (as well as citizens of other countries) live or work in the US at some point, and they often acquire Legal Permanent Resident status, also known as a Green Card. When returning to the UK (or another country) though, the question arises about whether they should retain their US green card or […]
10/06/2025
The US requires all Americans to file US taxes every year, reporting their worldwide income. This includes Americans living abroad. Additionally, American expats have to claim exemptions such as the Foreign Tax Credit and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to reduce their US tax bill. Most US taxpayers living abroad can reduce their US tax bill to […]