Question 1

Do I need to file US taxes while living abroad?

Accepted Answer

Yes, US citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are required to file a US federal tax return regardless of where they live in the world. The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income, which means your obligation to file does not end when you move overseas. This is known as citizenship-based taxation, and the US is one of only two countries in the world that follows this practice (the other being Eritrea).

You must file a US tax return if your gross income exceeds the st...

Question 2

What is the filing threshold for US expats?

Accepted Answer

The filing threshold for US expats follows the same rules as for US residents. For the 2025 tax year, you must file a federal return if your gross worldwide income exceeds the standard deduction amount for your filing status: $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married filing jointly, $21,900 for head of household, and $14,600 for married filing separately.

These thresholds apply to your total worldwide income before any exclusions or deductions are applied. This means that even if you plan ...

Question 3

Do I need to file if I already pay taxes in another country?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you still need to file a US federal tax return even if you already pay taxes in another country. The US taxes its citizens and residents on worldwide income regardless of where that income is earned or where taxes are paid. Paying taxes to a foreign government does not eliminate your US filing obligation.

However, the US tax system provides two primary mechanisms to prevent double taxation on the same income. The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), claimed on Form 1116, allows you to reduce your US ...

Question 4

What happens if I haven't filed US taxes in years?

Accepted Answer

If you have not filed US taxes in several years, you are not alone — many expats are unaware of their ongoing US tax obligations. The good news is that the IRS offers specific programs to help delinquent filers catch up without facing the harshest penalties, provided the failure to file was non-willful (meaning it was not intentional tax evasion).

The primary program for catching up is the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, which is specifically designed for taxpayers who have been non-c...

Question 5

Do US citizens living abroad need to file state taxes?

Accepted Answer

Whether you need to file state taxes while living abroad depends on which state you last resided in before moving overseas. Each state has different rules regarding tax obligations for residents who move abroad, and some states are significantly more aggressive than others in claiming continuing tax jurisdiction.

Some states, such as Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, have no state income tax, so if your last residence was in one of these states, y...

Question 6

What is the automatic 2-month extension for expats?

Accepted Answer

US citizens and resident aliens who live outside the United States and Puerto Rico automatically receive a 2-month extension to file their federal tax return and pay any taxes due. This means your filing deadline is automatically extended from April 15 to June 15 without needing to file any paperwork or request.

To qualify for this automatic extension, on the regular due date of your return (April 15), you must either: (1) be living outside the United States and Puerto Rico, with your main plac...

Question 7

Can I e-file from outside the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can e-file your US federal tax return from outside the United States. The IRS accepts electronically filed returns from taxpayers worldwide, and in fact, e-filing is often the most efficient and secure method for expats to submit their returns.

To e-file, you will need an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) or your prior year's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to verify your identity. If you are a first-time filer from abroad and cannot obtain an IP PIN online, you may need to use alternative ...

Question 8

What forms do expats need to file?

Accepted Answer

US expats typically need to file several forms beyond the standard Form 1040. The specific forms required depend on your income sources, financial accounts, and personal situation, but here are the most common forms for Americans living abroad.

The core return is Form 1040, which reports your worldwide income. Attached to this, most expats will need Form 2555 to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and/or the Foreign Housing Exclusion. If you are claiming the Foreign Tax Credit inst...

Question 9

Do I need to report my foreign spouse's income?

Accepted Answer

Whether you need to report your foreign spouse's income depends on your filing status and whether your spouse is a US person. If your spouse is not a US citizen or resident alien, they are considered a nonresident alien (NRA) for tax purposes, and you generally have three filing options.

First, you can file as Married Filing Separately, which means you only report your own worldwide income. Your NRA spouse does not need to file a US return, and their income is not reported on yours. However, th...

Question 10

When are US expat taxes due?

Accepted Answer

US expat taxes follow the same base deadline as domestic filers — April 15 — but with several important extensions available. Here is the complete timeline of expat tax deadlines.

April 15 is the standard tax filing deadline and the date by which all tax payments are due. Even if you qualify for filing extensions, interest on unpaid taxes begins accruing from this date. If you expect to owe taxes, you should make an estimated payment by April 15 to minimize interest charges.

June 15 is the aut...

Frequently Asked Questions About Expat Taxes

Browse by Category

Cross-Border Tax

Crypto & Investments

FBAR & Foreign Accounts

Filing Requirements

Getting Started

Pricing & Fees

Process & Timeline

Retirement & Investments

Tax Credits & Exclusions

Most Common Questions