How to File Taxes as a US Expat
How to File Taxes as a US E xpat US law requires all Americans - including expats - to file US taxes, reporting their worldwide income. The US is almost the only country to tax expats on their global income. Furthermore, many Americans abroad have other US reporting requirements too, such as reporting their foreign bank and investment accounts, and their foreign registered business interests. Avoiding double taxation American expats who earn over $12,000 (in 2018) or just $400 self-employment income globally are required to file a US federal tax return . They may also have to file a state return, depending on the rules in the state where they last lived and on whether they’ll be returning there, or still have ties there. The IRS assumes that they owe US tax on their worldwide income, even if they’ve paid tax in another country or if there’s a tax treaty in place between the US and the country where they live. Expats can avoid double taxation however by claiming eithe