Do I Need to File US Taxes from Abroad?
Free tool — answer a few questions to find out exactly which US tax forms you need to file as an American living overseas
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US Citizens Abroad: Your Tax Filing Obligations
The United States taxes its citizens and green card holders on worldwide income, regardless of where they live. If you're an American living in Canada, the UK, UAE, India, Australia, or anywhere else abroad, you may be required to file a US tax return, FBAR, FATCA forms, and more.
Income Tax Return
Form 1040 — required if income exceeds filing threshold
FBAR (FinCEN 114)
Required if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 at any point
FATCA (Form 8938)
Required if foreign assets exceed $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married)
Use our free checker below to find out exactly which forms apply to your situation. This tool covers the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555), Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116), PFIC reporting, foreign corporation filings, and IRS Streamlined Filing for late filers.
Residency & Citizenship
Tell us about your citizenship and where you live
What is your U.S. tax status?
Do you currently live outside the United States?
How long have you lived abroad?
Frequently Asked Questions About Expat Tax Filing
Do US citizens living abroad need to file taxes?
Yes. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. If your gross income exceeds the filing threshold ($14,600 for single filers in 2024), you must file a US tax return even if you live and work overseas. This applies to US citizens, green card holders, and anyone who meets the substantial presence test.
What is the FBAR and do I need to file one?
The FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is required if the combined value of your foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year. This includes bank accounts, investment accounts, and pension accounts held outside the US. The deadline is April 15 with an automatic extension to October 15. Penalties for non-filing can reach $12,500 per account per year.
What happens if I haven't filed US taxes from abroad?
The IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures allow expats who non-willfully failed to file to catch up without harsh penalties. You'll need to file 3 years of tax returns and 6 years of FBARs. This is the recommended path for Americans abroad who didn't know they had to file.
Can I exclude my foreign income from US taxes?
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555) lets qualifying expats exclude up to $126,500 (2024) of foreign earned income from US taxation. You must meet either the Physical Presence Test (330 days abroad in a 12-month period) or the Bona Fide Residence Test. The Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) is another option that prevents double taxation.
Do I need to report my Canadian TFSA or RRSP to the IRS?
Yes. While the RRSP is protected under the US-Canada tax treaty, income earned inside a TFSA is fully taxable on your US return. A TFSA may also require Form 3520 reporting and is reportable on the FBAR if the account value exceeds $10,000. Many US-Canada cross-border filers are surprised by this requirement.
Still unsure about your tax obligations? Our IRS Enrolled Agents specialize in US-Canada cross-border and expat tax filing.
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