An estimated 10 million Americans live outside the United States. Most assume that leaving the US also means leaving US tax responsibilities behind; however, this isn’t the case.
The US taxes its citizens’ worldwide income based on their US citizenship rather than on residence. This meant that an American living in London, Singapore, Dubai, or Sydney still has to file a US tax return every year. The requirement applies even if all your income originates outside the United States.
The rules are manageable once you understand them. The real challenge, though, comes from new, unfamiliar reporting requirements for expats, including international bank disclosures and coordination with foreign tax systems.
In this article, we provide an overview of what Americans abroad need to know about filing US expat taxes, including deadlines, how to avoid double taxation, reporting on foreign assets, business activities, and accounts, and common mistakes.
The United States is one of the only countries that taxes all of its citizens’ worldwide income. This applies regardless of where in the world you live, work, or earn income.
Americans abroad must generally file a US tax return if their income exceeds the standard filing thresholds. Those thresholds are the same as if you’re living in the US, being the standard deduction amount ($15,750 for single filers in 2025 for filing in 2026) or over $400 of self-employment income, or just $5 if your filing status is married filing separately.
Reportable income includes:
All your income should be reported in US dollars on your US tax return, so you have to convert income received abroad.
Citizenship-based taxation also creates another issue for Americans abroad: the possibility of double taxation.
Fortunately, several provisions exist to reduce or eliminate that risk.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, often referred to as the FEIE, remains one of the most valuable tax benefits available to Americans abroad.
The FEIE allows qualifying taxpayers to exclude a portion of their foreign employment income from US taxation. For the 2025 tax year (for filing in 2026), the exclusion allows up to $130,000 of foreign earned income per person.
Married couples who both qualify can exclude twice that amount.
The IRS requires taxpayers to meet one of two residency tests before claiming the FEIE:
Each test carries specific technical requirements. MyExpatTaxes software ****walks you through the process, or you can consult with an expat tax pro.
The FEIE applies only to earned income, so passive income such as investment income, rental income, and pension income doesn’t qualify for the exclusion. To claim the FEIE, you must file Form 2555 with your tax return.
Many Americans abroad pay income tax to their country of residence. Claiming the Foreign Tax Credit allows expats to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit for income taxes they’ve already paid to a foreign government.
In many situations, the credit eliminates US tax liability entirely, and is often more beneficial than the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, especially if you live in a country with higher tax rates than the United States. Claiming the FTC rather than the FEIE also lets you contribute to US retirement plans and claim other benefits, such as the refundable Child Tax Credit, more easily.
Some taxpayers combine the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit, but this strategy works best if your income exceeds the FEIE limit or when some of your income types do not qualify for exclusion.
Each expat’s situation requires careful analysis, as claiming the exclusion can reduce the amount of Foreign Tax Credits available to you.
Experienced expat tax advisors, and the MyExpatTaxes software, evaluate both approaches before deciding which is most beneficial for you.
Many Americans abroad worry about the April 15th tax deadline; however, the IRS provides additional time for taxpayers living outside the United States.
Americans abroad receive an automatic two-month extension to file their federal tax return. That moves the filing deadline to June 15th.
Interest still accrues on any owed tax after April 15; however, although most expats don’t end up owing any US taxes if they claim the FEIE or the FTC.
Taxpayers who need more time after June 15th can request an additional extension until October 15th.
Having foreign bank accounts creates one of the most misunderstood compliance requirements for Americans abroad.
The US requires Americans to report certain foreign financial accounts through the FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report).
You have to file an FBAR when the combined value of any foreign financial accounts you have signatory authority or control over exceeds $10,000 at any time during the year.
The rule includes more than just bank accounts. It can also apply to:
Taxpayers file the FBAR electronically through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network rather than the IRS.
Not filing an FBAR when you should carries severe penalties, starting at $10,000 per year. Note also that foreign financial institutions are also reporting your account to the US directly, so they know who should be filing.
Additionally, you may have to report your foreign financial assets on Form 8938 under Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) rules.
Freelancers and business owners face an additional tax issue when living abroad.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion reduces income tax, but it does not eliminate US self-employment taxes.
Self-employed Americans abroad generally pay US Social Security and Medicare taxes on their net earnings.
Some taxpayers qualify for relief through treaties known as Totalization Agreements the United States has signed with certain countries. These agreements prevent workers from paying Social Security taxes to two countries simultaneously.
Eligibility depends on your country of residence and the structure of your business.
Expats who run businesses abroad often benefit from professional tax advice, as the way you structure your business can have a big impact on your tax liability and reporting obligations. If you have a foreign corporation for example, you’ll have to report it on Form 5471.
Many Americans abroad encounter the same problems during their first few years overseas.
The most common mistakes include the following:
For expats who have been living abroad for several years but have not filed US taxes because they didn’t know they had to, there’s an IRS program that allows you to catch up on missed filings without penalties called the Streamlined Procedure.
Don’t delay, though, as if the IRS contacts you first, you won’t qualify and will be liable for penalties and back taxes.
MyExpatTaxes can help you catch up with the Streamlined Procedures program.
The United States has signed tax treaties with over 60 countries; however, while these agreements help coordinate taxation between governments, unfortunately, they don’t prevent expats from having to file US taxes from abroad.
Treaties can reduce withholding taxes on investment income or clarify which country taxes certain types of income. Some also prevent double taxation of certain types of income, such as retirement income.
If you do want to claim a tax treaty provision, you’ll need to file Form 8833.
You can file your taxes on the award-winning MyExpatTaxes software, which calculates the best exclusions or credits for you to claim as an expat and depending on your circumstances.
Complexity increases quickly if you have foreign investments or corporations, self-employment income, or retirement accounts in another country.
Professional tax advice becomes particularly valuable in situations involving:
MyExpatTaxes also lets you consult with an experienced expat Tax Professional if you need to.
Living abroad brings amazing professional and personal opportunities, but it doesn’t exempt you from your US tax obligations – in fact, they often become more complex once you live overseas. Research your obligations, and head on over to MyExpatTaxes to find out more about how we can help you stay compliant and optimized as an American living abroad.
Nathalie Goldstein, EA is co-founder and CEO of MyExpatTaxes, the award-winning software and service for Americans living abroad.
Where to Find Free Expat Events 1. AnyExpat Platform focused specifically on expat networking events worldwide. What you’ll typically find: • Free expat networking meetups
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After 36 months you have the right to renew at 0 cost and at 25%. This is conditional on the following
When asked to present screenshots for deals, you are able to do so and miss no more than 9x deals through the entirety of the agreement. This means that the work required to grow the network is being done consistently.
Send you 25% of all revenue generated via the following sources:
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The agreement will run for 3 years from the day that you make the initial payment date
After 36 months you have the right to renew and at 0 cost at 25%. This is conditional on the following
When asked to present screenshots for deals, you are able to do so and miss no more than 9x deals through the entirety of the agreement. This means that the work required to grow the network is being done consistently.
OVERVIEW
This website is operated by AnyExpat Ltd. Throughout the site, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to AnyExpat Ltd. AnyExpat Ltd offers this website, including all information, tools and services available from this site to you, the user, conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies and notices stated here.
By visiting our site and/ or purchasing something from us, you engage in our “Service” and agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions (“Terms of Service”, “Terms”), including those additional terms and conditions and policies referenced herein and/or available by hyperlink. These Terms of Service apply to all users of the site, including without limitation users who are browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and/ or contributors of content.
Please read these Terms of Service carefully before accessing or using our website. By accessing or using any part of the site, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the website or use any services. If these Terms of Service are considered an offer, acceptance is expressly limited to these Terms of Service.
Any new features or tools which are added to the current store shall also be subject to the Terms of Service. You can review the most current version of the Terms of Service at any time on this page. We reserve the right to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Service by posting updates and/or changes to our website. It is your responsibility to check this page periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to the website following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.
Our store is hosted on Shopify Inc. They provide us with the online e-commerce platform that allows us to sell our products and services to you.
SECTION 1 – ONLINE STORE TERMS
By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence, or that you are the age of majority in your state or province of residence and you have given us your consent to allow any of your minor dependents to use this site.
You may not use our products for any illegal or unauthorized purpose nor may you, in the use of the Service, violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright laws).
You must not transmit any worms or viruses or any code of a destructive nature.
A breach or violation of any of the Terms will result in an immediate termination of your Services.
SECTION 2 – GENERAL CONDITIONS
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time.
You understand that your content (not including credit card information), may be transferred unencrypted and involve (a) transmissions over various networks; and (b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices. Credit card information is always encrypted during transfer over networks.
You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service or any contact on the website through which the service is provided, without express written permission by us.
The headings used in this agreement are included for convenience only and will not limit or otherwise affect these Terms.
SECTION 3 – ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS AND TIMELINESS OF INFORMATION
We are not responsible if information made available on this site is not accurate, complete or current. The material on this site is provided for general information only and should not be relied upon or used as the sole basis for making decisions without consulting primary, more accurate, more complete or more timely sources of information. Any reliance on the material on this site is at your own risk.
This site may contain certain historical information. Historical information, necessarily, is not current and is provided for your reference only. We reserve the right to modify the contents of this site at any time, but we have no obligation to update any information on our site. You agree that it is your responsibility to monitor changes to our site.
SECTION 4 – MODIFICATIONS TO THE SERVICE AND PRICES
Prices for our products are subject to change without notice.
We reserve the right at any time to modify or discontinue the Service (or any part or content thereof) without notice at any time.
We shall not be liable to you or to any third-party for any modification, price change, suspension or discontinuance of the Service.
A flat rate of 20% is due on all sales is retained by AnyExpat Ltd, this includes postage costs so price your items to consider this.
SECTION 5 – PRODUCTS OR SERVICES (if applicable)
Certain products or services may be available exclusively online through the website. These products or services may have limited quantities and are subject to return or exchange only according to our Return Policy.
We have made every effort to display as accurately as possible the colors and images of our products that appear at the store. We cannot guarantee that your computer monitor’s display of any color will be accurate.
We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to limit the sales of our products or Services to any person, geographic region or jurisdiction. We may exercise this right on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to limit the quantities of any products or services that we offer. All descriptions of products or product pricing are subject to change at anytime without notice, at the sole discretion of us. We reserve the right to discontinue any product at any time. Any offer for any product or service made on this site is void where prohibited.
We do not warrant that the quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by you will meet your expectations, or that any errors in the Service will be corrected.
SECTION 6 – ACCURACY OF BILLING AND ACCOUNT INFORMATION
We reserve the right to refuse any order you place with us. We may, in our sole discretion, limit or cancel quantities purchased per person, per household or per order. These restrictions may include orders placed by or under the same customer account, the same credit card, and/or orders that use the same billing and/or shipping address. In the event that we make a change to or cancel an order, we may attempt to notify you by contacting the e-mail and/or billing address/phone number provided at the time the order was made. We reserve the right to limit or prohibit orders that, in our sole judgment, appear to be placed by dealers, resellers or distributors.
You agree to provide current, complete and accurate purchase and account information for all purchases made at our store. You agree to promptly update your account and other information, including your email address and credit card numbers and expiration dates, so that we can complete your transactions and contact you as needed.
For more detail, please review our Returns Policy.
SECTION 7 – OPTIONAL TOOLS
We may provide you with access to third-party tools over which we neither monitor nor have any control nor input.
You acknowledge and agree that we provide access to such tools ”as is” and “as available” without any warranties, representations or conditions of any kind and without any endorsement. We shall have no liability whatsoever arising from or relating to your use of optional third-party tools.
Any use by you of optional tools offered through the site is entirely at your own risk and discretion and you should ensure that you are familiar with and approve of the terms on which tools are provided by the relevant third-party provider(s).
We may also, in the future, offer new services and/or features through the website (including, the release of new tools and resources). Such new features and/or services shall also be subject to these Terms of Service.
SECTION 8 – THIRD-PARTY LINKS
Certain content, products and services available via our Service may include materials from third-parties.
Third-party links on this site may direct you to third-party websites that are not affiliated with us. We are not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy and we do not warrant and will not have any liability or responsibility for any third-party materials or websites, or for any other materials, products, or services of third-parties.
We are not liable for any harm or damages related to the purchase or use of goods, services, resources, content, or any other transactions made in connection with any third-party websites. Please review carefully the third-party’s policies and practices and make sure you understand them before you engage in any transaction. Complaints, claims, concerns, or questions regarding third-party products should be directed to the third-party.
SECTION 9 – USER COMMENTS, FEEDBACK AND OTHER SUBMISSIONS
If, at our request, you send certain specific submissions (for example contest entries) or without a request from us you send creative ideas, suggestions, proposals, plans, or other materials, whether online, by email, by postal mail, or otherwise (collectively, ‘comments’), you agree that we may, at any time, without restriction, edit, copy, publish, distribute, translate and otherwise use in any medium any comments that you forward to us. We are and shall be under no obligation (1) to maintain any comments in confidence; (2) to pay compensation for any comments; or (3) to respond to any comments.
We may, but have no obligation to, monitor, edit or remove content that we determine in our sole discretion are unlawful, offensive, threatening, libelous, defamatory, pornographic, obscene or otherwise objectionable or violates any party’s intellectual property or these Terms of Service.
You agree that your comments will not violate any right of any third-party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, personality or other personal or proprietary right. You further agree that your comments will not contain libelous or otherwise unlawful, abusive or obscene material, or contain any computer virus or other malware that could in any way affect the operation of the Service or any related website. You may not use a false e-mail address, pretend to be someone other than yourself, or otherwise mislead us or third-parties as to the origin of any comments. You are solely responsible for any comments you make and their accuracy. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any comments posted by you or any third-party.
SECTION 10 – PERSONAL INFORMATION
Your submission of personal information through the store is governed by our Privacy Policy. To view our Privacy Policy.
SECTION 11 – ERRORS, INACCURACIES AND OMISSIONS
Occasionally there may be information on our site or in the Service that contains typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may relate to product descriptions, pricing, promotions, offers, product shipping charges, transit times and availability. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and to change or update information or cancel orders if any information in the Service or on any related website is inaccurate at any time without prior notice (including after you have submitted your order).
We undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify information in the Service or on any related website, including without limitation, pricing information, except as required by law. No specified update or refresh date applied in the Service or on any related website, should be taken to indicate that all information in the Service or on any related website has been modified or updated.
SECTION 12 – PROHIBITED USES
In addition to other prohibitions as set forth in the Terms of Service, you are prohibited from using the site or its content:
(a) for any unlawful purpose; (b) to solicit others to perform or participate in any unlawful acts; (c) to violate any international, federal, provincial or state regulations, rules, laws, or local ordinances; (d) to infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others; (e) to harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, slander, disparage, intimidate, or discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, age, national origin, or disability; (f) to submit false or misleading information;
(g) to upload or transmit viruses or any other type of malicious code that will or may be used in any way that will affect the functionality or operation of the Service or of any related website, other websites, or the Internet; (h) to collect or track the personal information of others; (i) to spam, phish, pharm, pretext, spider, crawl, or scrape; (j) for any obscene or immoral purpose; or (k) to interfere with or circumvent the security features of the Service or any related website, other websites, or the Internet. We reserve the right to terminate your use of the Service or any related website for violating any of the prohibited uses.
SECTION 13 – DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
We do not guarantee, represent or warrant that your use of our service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free.
We do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable.
You agree that from time to time we may remove the service for indefinite periods of time or cancel the service at any time, without notice to you.
You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use, the service is at your sole risk. The service and all products and services delivered to you through the service are (except as expressly stated by us) provided ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ for your use, without any representation, warranties or conditions of any kind, either express or implied, including all implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, merchantable quality, fitness for a particular purpose, durability, title, and non-infringement.
In no case shall AnyExpat Ltd, our directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, contractors, interns, suppliers, service providers or licensors be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, loss of data, replacement costs, or any similar damages, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of any of the service or any products procured using the service, or for any other claim related in any way to your use of the service or any product, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the service or any content (or product) posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the service, even if advised of their possibility.
Because some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or the limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states or jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
SECTION 14 – INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless AnyExpat Ltd and our parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, officers, directors, agents, contractors, licensors, service providers, subcontractors, suppliers, interns and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, made by any third-party due to or arising out of your breach of these Terms of Service or the documents they incorporate by reference, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third-party.
SECTION 15 – SEVERABILITY
In the event that any provision of these Terms of Service is determined to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, such provision shall nonetheless be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and the unenforceable portion shall be deemed to be severed from these Terms of Service, such determination shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other remaining provisions.
SECTION 16 – TERMINATION
The obligations and liabilities of the parties incurred prior to the termination date shall survive the termination of this agreement for all purposes.
These Terms of Service are effective unless and until terminated by either you or us. You may terminate these Terms of Service at any time by notifying us that you no longer wish to use our Services, or when you cease using our site.
If in our sole judgment you fail, or we suspect that you have failed, to comply with any term or provision of these Terms of Service, we also may terminate this agreement at any time without notice and you will remain liable for all amounts due up to and including the date of termination; and/or accordingly may deny you access to our Services (or any part thereof).
SECTION 17 – ENTIRE AGREEMENT
The failure of us to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
These Terms of Service and any policies or operating rules posted by us on this site or in respect to The Service constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between you and us and govern your use of the Service, superseding any prior or contemporaneous agreements, communications and proposals, whether oral or written, between you and us (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the Terms of Service).
Any ambiguities in the interpretation of these Terms of Service shall not be construed against the drafting party.
SECTION 18 – GOVERNING LAW
These Terms of Service and any separate agreements whereby we provide you Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Clyde Offices, 2nd Floor, 48 West George Street, Glasgow, BFP, G21BP, United Kingdom.
SECTION 19 – CHANGES TO TERMS OF SERVICE
You can review the most current version of the Terms of Service at any time at this page.
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Service by posting updates and changes to our website. It is your responsibility to check our website periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to our website or the Service following the posting of any changes to these Terms of Service constitutes acceptance of those changes.
SECTION 20 – CONTACT INFORMATION
Questions about the Terms of Service should be sent to us at [email protected].
