Even though few US citizens and green-card holders living abroad owe any US taxes, most are required to file with the US government:
- US tax return to report their worldwide income; and, to report their foreign (non-US) financial accounts
- Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, (filed with their tax return)
- FBAR = Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (filed with the US Treasury Department) (this applies to any US person whose aggregate value of foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year)
Important enough to repeat: regardless of whether or not they owe tax to the US government.
Where to start
Two great places to start for very basic questions about who should file taxes and how to file are:
Taxation and Compliance Information for US Citizens While Living Abroad - The American Citizens Abroad organization's answers include who needs to file taxes, when they need to be filed, what is included or excluded, and e-filing.
Here are some good answers to the basic process from a former FAWCO sponsor.
Life of an American Abroad PDF - This PDF presentation given by US Tax & Financial Services (a former FAWCO sponsor) in 2012 includes basic facts, FBAR, form 8938, and compliance problems and solutions.
Have a non-American spouse? Read about the US Tax Implications of a Non-American Spouse.
We're here to help
You will find many helpful links on these pages to get informed and to get your international financial life in order. Read our most recent Bulletins (login required), or use the search bar at the top of the page to research specific issues. You can always return to the Tax & Banking Articles page to find all the recent articles or head straight to our Filing or Tax Forms pages for specific information.
