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Living abroad can be an adventure, even for your taxes

Domestic Expat Taxes

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income tax returns are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.
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Everything You Need to Know About Expat Taxes

The term "expat" is short for "expatriate," which describes an individual or a business entity that resides outside of their native country. For instance, if an American citizen or business operates from the United Kingdom, they are classified as American expats. Relocating abroad doesn't exempt you from U.S. tax obligations. It's crucial for both individuals and businesses to understand the complexities of expat tax and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with U.S. tax laws while optimizing their financial strategies. Whether filing income taxes or managing foreign entity reporting, navigating these obligations is essential to maintaining good standing with Uncle Sam.

Your Expat Taxes: Breaking Things Down

If your worldwide income meets or exceeds certain filing thresholds (which are generally equal to the standard deduction for your filing status), you need to file a United States tax return as an expat — end of story. The fact that you're being paid by a foreign employer in another country doesn't change that fact. If you're self-employed, that threshold is just $400.

Filing requirements include a standard U.S. 1040 income tax form (if applicable) and could involve filing full-year, part-year, or non-resident returns depending on your specific situation. In addition to your U.S. income tax return, there are various foreign reporting obligations to consider. This includes:

  • Filing Form 5471 for foreign corporations,

  • Reporting interests in foreign partnerships and disregarded entities,

  • FBARs,

  • Expatriation documentation,

  • And utilizing foreign tax credits to mitigate double taxation.

Likewise, if you have a bank and/or brokerage account outside of the United States, you'll have to file a Form 114 (or Foreign Bank Account Reporting Form) as well.

The good news is that there are a few ways to significantly reduce — or even totally eliminate — your tax burden. One is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which lets you exclude roughly $100,000 of income earned from services provided outside of the U.S. (not including interest, dividends, stock sales or pension income). Another is The Foreign Tax Credit, which lets you reduce your United States income tax by the amount of foreign taxes you've already paid.

Other Considerations

In addition to personal tax obligations, if you're involved in a foreign business, there are crucial foreign information reporting requirements you need to be aware of. You'll need to comply with FBAR — or Foreign Bank Account Reporting — by listing all financial assets, including mutual funds, stocks, and bank accounts, if the highest account balance or the sum total of all accounts exceeds $10,000.

Businesses, in particular, must navigate the complexities of FATCA, or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. This act requires that American businesses and expats report the total value of their foreign financial accounts and assets, ensuring full compliance with international tax laws.

Timely reporting is essential to avoid penalties, and the good news is that all American businesses and expats receive an automatic filing extension until June 15 each year. While this provides some breathing room, to avoid penalties or interest, any payments due should still be submitted by April.

At PG CPA, PC, we specialize in assisting businesses with their foreign information reporting and FATCA compliance. We understand that managing global finances can be daunting; that's why we provide tailored services to help you fulfill all reporting obligations efficiently. Let us partner with you to navigate the complexities of international tax compliance, ensuring that all aspects of your foreign operations are reported accurately and on time. To find out more information, please don't hesitate to contact PG CPA, PC today.