Fee-only advisors for US expats and US citizens abroad.
US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residency — creating unique complexity around FATCA reporting, PFIC rules, foreign-earned income exclusion, treaty tiebreakers, and foreign tax credits. Most US advisors can't touch non-US clients. Most foreign advisors can't handle US tax obligations. The intersection is a specialty, with fee
What our matched specialists handle
- I'm moving to the UK for work — what do I keep in the US?
- PFIC rules — can I hold foreign mutual funds?
- Foreign-earned-income exclusion vs foreign tax credit — which is better?
- My spouse is a non-US person — filing status and estate planning?
- Retirement accounts — 401k + ISA / UK pension / SIPP — what works?
- Am I going to be double-taxed, or is the treaty going to save me?
Tools & guides
FEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit Calculator
Compare the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion vs Foreign Tax Credit — the core US-expat tax decision.
PFIC Tax Impact Calculator
See the real cost of holding foreign mutual funds: §1291 default vs mark-to-market vs QEF election vs US-domiciled ETFs. Enter your cost basis, current value, and years held.
US Exit Tax Calculator (§877A)
Run the three covered-expatriate tests ($211K avg tax / $2M net worth / 5-year compliance), then estimate your mark-to-market deemed-sale tax and IRA deemed distribution. For US citizens seriously considering renunciation.
FBAR Penalty Calculator
Missed one or more FBAR filings? See your maximum civil penalty exposure (up to $16,536/year non-willful under Bittner) vs. what the IRS Streamlined Procedures would cost — SFOP at 0% for expats abroad, SDOP at 5% for US residents.
Foreign Housing Exclusion Calculator (2026)
The housing exclusion can add $10,000–$95,000 of additional tax-free income on top of the $132,900 FEIE — but only if your foreign earned income exceeds the FEIE maximum and you're in a qualifying city. Enter your location, housing expenses, and income to see your exact exclusion and estimated tax savings using 2026 IRS Notice 2026-25 caps.
FEIE 330-Day Physical Presence Test Calculator
Do you pass the IRS 330-day test? Enter your 12-month analysis window and any US visits to get an instant verdict — pass or fail — plus your prorated FEIE exclusion amount. One wrong day can cost you the entire exclusion.
Roth Conversion Window Calculator for US Expats
US expats using FEIE can end up with zero taxable income — creating an unusually cheap window to convert traditional IRA and 401(k) assets to Roth at 7–12% effective rates. See your bracket room, the tax cost of a proposed conversion, and the maximum amount you can convert while staying in the 10% or 12% bracket.
IRA Contribution Eligibility Calculator for US Expats (2026)
FEIE can eliminate your IRA and Roth IRA contribution access entirely — but even expats with leftover IRA compensation can be blocked from Roth by a separate MAGI trap that adds the §911 exclusion back. See your exact IRA room, Roth eligibility, and the partial-FEIE strategy that preserves $7,500/year in contribution access for about $750 in extra tax.
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Guide
Eligibility tests, housing exclusion, the self-employment tax trap, the 5-year revocation lock-in, and when FTC beats FEIE.
PFIC Rules for US Expats
The three tax regimes, QEF vs mark-to-market elections, and what to hold instead of foreign mutual funds.
FBAR & FATCA Reporting Guide
Two separate foreign account reporting obligations — thresholds, deadlines, penalties, and how to catch up if you're behind.
Non-US Spouse: Tax & Estate Planning
Filing status choice (§6013(g) vs. MFS), the $194K/year gift limit, QDOT trusts, and FBAR signature authority for mixed-citizenship couples.
Retirement Accounts Abroad: 401(k), SIPP & ISA
How your 401(k) and IRA work while abroad, why FEIE kills IRA eligibility, and what UK SIPPs and ISAs actually mean for US citizens.
Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) Guide
How the §901 FTC works for expats — income baskets, the §904 limitation formula, the high-tax kickout rule, 10-year carryforwards, and why it beats FEIE in Germany, France, and the UK.
State Tax Residency: The Domicile Trap
Moving abroad doesn't end your state tax liability. California and New York can tax your worldwide income for years after you leave — and the FEIE doesn't help at all with California.
US Tax Treaties for Expats
What the saving clause actually means for US citizens, when the tiebreaker article helps, how totalization agreements differ from income tax treaties, and which countries have no treaty at all.
US Expatriation Exit Tax (IRC §877A)
Renouncing citizenship or abandoning a green card? The covered expatriate tests ($2M net worth, $211K avg tax), mark-to-market deemed sale, IRA deemed distribution, and what to do years before you file to renounce.
US Expats in the UK: Complete Financial Guide
FEIE vs FTC decision for UK rates, SIPP §402(b) trap, ISA PFIC risk, NI totalization, and what to do before moving to London.
US Expats in Canada: Complete Financial Guide
RRSP treaty election, TFSA trap (taxable annually in US + potential Form 3520), FHSA risk, Canadian ETF PFIC exposure, CPP/OAS treaty treatment, and pre-move planning.
US Expats in Germany: Complete Financial Guide
FTC vs FEIE for German rates (14–45%), Riester/Rürup PFIC traps, DRV pension totalization, the FATCA bank account problem, and what to do before moving to Berlin or Munich.
US Expats in Australia: Complete Financial Guide
Superannuation US tax treatment (no treaty deferral), Australian ETF PFIC exposure, the CGT discount the IRS ignores, Medicare Levy FTC creditability, and pre-move planning for Sydney or Melbourne.
US Expats in Singapore: Complete Financial Guide
No US-Singapore income tax treaty, no totalization agreement, and Singapore's low rates (0–24%) mean FTC often can't fully offset US tax. Plus: CPF for PRs, SRS compliance traps, and Singapore fund PFIC exposure.
US Expats in Mexico: Complete Financial Guide
Mexico's ISR rates (up to 35%) usually make FTC better than FEIE, but unique traps remain: the fideicomiso bank trust for coastal property, mandatory AFORE accounts with PFIC exposure, no functioning totalization agreement, and the 183-day residency trigger for digital nomads.
US Expats in France: Complete Financial Guide
France's income tax rates (11–45%) plus creditable CSG/CRDS social charges make FTC the right call for most earners. But the PEA and assurance-vie — France's most popular savings tools — are PFIC traps or Form 3520 obligations for US citizens. Plus: IFI wealth tax, totalization agreement, and what to do before moving to Paris.
US Expats in Japan: Complete Financial Guide
Japan's rates reach 55.9% combined — FTC almost always wins. Plus: iDeCo/NISA PFIC traps, Kosei Nenkin totalization, FATCA bank access difficulties, and US-Japan treaty saving clause.
US Expats in the Netherlands: Complete Financial Guide
The 30% ruling reduces taxable salary but also reduces your FTC — high earners face a residual US bill. Box 3's deemed-return wealth tax creates double taxation that FTC can't fully offset. Plus: ABP pension, Dutch banking PFIC traps, totalization.
US Expats in Spain: Complete Financial Guide
The Beckham Law's 24% flat rate sounds great — until you realize it's lower than your US rate, leaving a residual US bill. Plus: Modelo 720 dual-filing with FBAR, plan de pensiones PFIC traps, autónomos totalization.
US Expats in Switzerland: Complete Financial Guide
Canton matters enormously — Zug's 21–23% total rate vs Geneva's 43–46%. Three-pillar pension system: Pillar 3a is a Form 3520 + PFIC trap, Pillar 2 BVG treatment is uncertain. Plus: AHV totalization, FATCA Model 2, and Swiss real estate.
US Expats in Portugal: Complete Financial Guide
Portugal's original NHR tax holiday ended December 31, 2023. IFICI (NHR 2.0) is narrower and the saving clause means the 0% Portuguese rate on foreign income eliminates your FTC without eliminating your US tax. Plus: PPR PFIC traps, Golden Visa, FBAR.
US Expats in Italy: Complete Financial Guide
Italy's Impatriate regime (50% exemption) saves Italian tax but leaves a US bill on the exempt half unless you also elect FEIE. The 7% flat tax for foreign pensioners in southern Italy is a genuine FTC opportunity. Plus: IVAFE on US accounts, fondi pensione PFIC traps, TFR decision.
US Expats in Ireland: Complete Financial Guide
Dublin's booming tech scene attracts thousands of US workers. Combined Irish rates (income tax + USC + PRSI) can reach 52% — FTC almost always wins. Plus: the ARF retirement trap, USC creditability questions, PRSI totalization, and PFIC risks in Irish pensions.
US Expats in Thailand: Complete Financial Guide
Thailand's moderate rates (up to 35%) make FEIE the usual choice — but a 2024 rule change now taxes all foreign income remitted into Thailand, creating a major trap for retirees drawing down US accounts. Plus: no totalization agreement for self-employed, Thai provident fund and RMF PFIC traps, and the LTR visa's foreign income exemption.
US Expats in South Korea: Complete Financial Guide
Korea's rates reach 49.5% combined — FTC usually wins. But the popular foreign worker flat tax at 20.9% can create a residual US tax gap for high earners. Plus: NPS totalization agreement, Korean DC pension PFIC traps, FATCA Model 1 compliance, and US military SOFA considerations.
US Expats in India: Complete Financial Guide
India's mandatory EPF is taxable US income under §402(b). PPF is a foreign trust trap (Form 3520). Every Indian mutual fund is a PFIC. No US-India totalization agreement means full SE tax for self-employed citizens. Plus: NRE/NRO accounts, FTC vs FEIE at Indian rates (up to 39%), and property gains.
US Expats in Hong Kong: Complete Financial Guide
No US-HK income tax treaty means FEIE is the primary tool — and Hong Kong's housing exclusion cap of $114,300 (2026) is among the highest the IRS publishes. Plus: MPF employer contributions are immediately US-taxable, MPF funds are PFICs, and self-employed citizens face full SECA with no totalization agreement.
US Expats in China: Complete Financial Guide
China's IIT reaches 45% — FTC almost always wins. But the 6-year rule triggers worldwide Chinese taxation if you stay 6+ years without a 30-day annual break. Every Chinese fund is a PFIC. No US-China totalization agreement means possible dual social insurance. Plus: FATCA bank access issues, fringe benefit exemptions through 2027, and the treaty's saving clause.
US Expats in Brazil: Complete Financial Guide
No US-Brazil income tax treaty — double-taxation relief comes entirely from FTC or FEIE. Brazil's 27.5% IRPF top rate is below the US 37%, so FTC alone may not eliminate your bill at high income. Plus: PGBL/VGBL pension PFIC traps, FGTS employer fund uncertainty, new 2026 annual mark-to-market taxation of foreign investments, and the DCBE outbound asset declaration for Brazilian residents.
US Expats in New Zealand: Complete Financial Guide
NZ's Foreign Investment Fund rules tax your US brokerage account annually — 5% of opening value whether or not you sold. Plus: KiwiSaver §402(b) trap (employer 3.5%), no US-NZ totalization agreement, and why the 4-year NZ transitional residency exemption does nothing for US citizens.
US Expats in South Africa: Complete Financial Guide
SA's top rate is 45% — higher than the US. When you leave, Section 9H deems you to have sold your worldwide assets, triggering SA capital gains tax before you board the plane. Plus: Retirement Annuity Fund §402(b) trap, SA TFSA PFIC risk, no US-SA totalization agreement, and the March–February fiscal year mismatch.
US Expats in Israel: Complete Financial Planning Guide
Israel's Oleh Chadash 10-year tax exemption shields new immigrants from Israeli tax on foreign-source income — but removes the FTC that would offset your US bill. Split FTC/FEIE strategy is common. Plus: keren pensia and keren hishtalmut §402(b) and PFIC traps, Bituach Leumi, Israeli real estate currency gain, and the 10-year Oleh period transition.
US Expats in the Philippines: Complete Financial Guide
The Philippines taxes resident aliens only on Philippine-source income — US pensions and Social Security are untouched. But every Philippine mutual fund and UITF is a PFIC, there's no US-Philippines totalization agreement, foreigners can't own land, and the SRRV retirement visa deposit triggers FBAR obligations from day one. Plus: STT non-creditability on PSE stocks, VUL insurance traps, and the 6% Philippine estate tax on local assets.
US Expats in Malaysia: MM2H Visa, No Tax Treaty & PFIC Traps (2026)
Malaysia's MM2H retirement visa attracts US retirees — but a 2024 rule change now taxes foreign income remitted to Malaysia, threatening the income strategy most retirees planned on. No US-Malaysia income tax treaty, EPF now mandatory for foreign workers (§402(b) taxable as compensation), Malaysian funds are PFICs, and RPGT for foreigners runs 30% in years 1–5. The low-tax assumption needs fresh math.
US Expats in Panama: Pensionado Visa, Territorial Tax & US Tax Guide (2026)
Panama's territorial tax system doesn't touch foreign-source income — but US citizens still owe the IRS on worldwide income including US Social Security, pensions, and investment returns. No US-Panama income tax treaty, no totalization agreement (full SE tax for freelancers), the Pensionado visa ($1K/month), and what Panama's USD economy means for §988 and real estate planning.
US Expats in Greece: Article 5B, FTC vs FEIE & 2026 Tax Guide
Greece's Article 5B 7% flat tax for foreign pensioners attracts US retirees — but the math works differently for Americans. US citizens still owe the IRS gap between 7% and their US marginal rate, so the real benefit is capping total tax at the US rate rather than paying 39–44% standard Greek rates. Plus: a 1994 US-Greece totalization agreement (SE tax relief for self-employed), PFIC traps in Greek mutual funds, §121 on Greek real estate, CGT suspended through 2026, and Golden Visa US reporting implications.
RSUs and Stock Options Abroad: 2026 Tax Guide
US expats with unvested RSUs or stock options face dual-country income sourcing, AMT traps, and exit tax exposure. How grant-to-vest workday allocation works, when FEIE vs FTC applies to equity income, why ISOs create AMT that FEIE can't shelter, and what the 30% withholding rule means for covered expatriates with unvested grants.
IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures for US Expats
Behind on US tax returns or FBAR filings? The IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP) let qualifying expats catch up with 0% penalties — just back taxes and interest. Here's the eligibility test, what to file, how to write a non-willful certification that the IRS will accept, and when to use the delinquent FBAR path or the Voluntary Disclosure Practice instead.
US Digital Nomad Taxes: FEIE, SE Tax & What the IRS Expects
Working remotely from abroad? The IRS still taxes your worldwide income. Here's how the 330-day physical presence test, self-employment tax trap, 183-day foreign residency triggers, state domicile, and FBAR apply to US digital nomads in 2026.
Self-Employed US Expat Taxes: SE Tax, Entity Structure & Retirement Accounts (2026)
The FEIE eliminates income tax — but IRC §1402(a)(8) means you still owe SE tax (15.3% on first $184,500 net SE earnings, 2026) regardless. This guide covers totalization agreement relief by country, sole prop vs S-corp vs foreign company tradeoffs, and how to still fund a Solo 401(k) or SEP-IRA even when FEIE zeroes out your income.
How to Choose a Financial Advisor for US Expats
Most US advisors won't take non-US clients. Most foreign advisors miss PFIC traps. Here's what to look for: fee-only vs fee-based, credentials that matter, five diagnostic questions to ask, red flags, and fee structures that work for the expat situation.
Social Security for US Expats
US citizens abroad keep their SS rights — but WEP/GPO repeal, Medicare enrollment penalties, and 25.5% withholding for non-citizen spouses create traps most expat advisors miss. Claiming age, earnings test, FEIE interaction, and Medicare enrollment rules explained.
Buying or Selling Property Abroad: 2026 US Tax Guide
The §121 exclusion works for foreign primary residences — but a hidden currency gain on the mortgage can be taxable even when the property gain is excluded. Plus: no §1031 exchange for foreign property, 30-year ADS depreciation on foreign rentals, PFIC traps in foreign entities (French SCI, Indonesian PT PMA), and how foreign capital gains taxes interact with the FTC limitation.
US Expats Who Own Foreign Businesses: CFC, Subpart F & NCTI
Starting or buying a company abroad doesn't defer US taxes the way your foreign partners can. If US persons own more than 50%, it's a Controlled Foreign Corporation — and Subpart F taxes passive profits immediately while NCTI (formerly GILTI, renamed by OBBBA 2026) taxes active profits too. Form 5471 filing, the Section 962 election, the 18.9% high-tax exception, and pre-move planning strategies.
Estate Planning for US Expats: Cross-Border Wills, Trusts & Tax
US estate tax applies to your worldwide assets regardless of where you live. Non-citizen spouses cannot inherit tax-free without a QDOT trust. Civil-law countries (France, Germany, Spain) may legally override your will for children's forced heirship shares. Here is how the $15M OBBBA exemption, Brussels IV elections, and 16 US estate tax treaties affect expat families.
Child Tax Credit for US Expats: The FEIE Trap (and How to Fix It)
US expats with children can claim the $2,200 Child Tax Credit — but electing the FEIE reduces earned income to zero and kills the $1,700/child refundable ACTC. In high-tax countries (UK, Germany, France), the Foreign Tax Credit eliminates US tax AND preserves the full ACTC refund. Here is the decision math and the partial FEIE workaround.
Accidental Americans: US Tax Obligations You Didn't Know You Had
Born in the US and raised abroad, or born outside the US to an American parent — you may be a US citizen with unfiled returns and FBARs going back years. This guide explains what you owe, the IRS Streamlined procedures that reduce penalties to zero, and the comply-vs-renounce decision after the April 2026 fee cut to $450.
Form 3520 & 3520-A: Foreign Trust Reporting for US Expats
TFSAs, ISAs, assurance-vie, Riester plans, NISAs, Pillar 3a, and SMSFs may all require separate annual filings beyond FBAR — with penalties starting at $10,000 per form per year. 2026 deadlines, which accounts are trapped, Rev. Proc. 2020-17 relief, and how to fix years of non-compliance.
US Green Card Holders Living Abroad: Tax Guide
Green card holders owe worldwide income taxes — same as US citizens. But an added trap: hold your GC for 8+ years and filing a treaty tiebreaker form (Form 8833) is treated as a deemed expatriation, potentially triggering the §877A exit tax. The 8-of-15 long-term resident rule, GC abandonment mechanics, and why acting before year 8 changes the entire analysis.
Medicare for US Expats: Enrollment, Penalties, and the IRMAA Advantage
Medicare covers almost nothing abroad — but skipping Part B enrollment at 65 creates a permanent 10%/yr penalty that follows you home. This 2026 guide covers the Part B late enrollment trap, the IRMAA surcharge table, and a planning opportunity unique to expats: the FEIE reduces your MAGI and can eliminate thousands in annual IRMAA surcharges.
Renouncing US Citizenship: Financial & Process Guide (2026)
The consular fee dropped to $450 in April 2026. But the exit tax, IRA deemed distribution, and §2801 inheritance tax on gifts to US family can run far higher. This guide covers who is a covered expatriate, the pre-renunciation planning checklist, and when renunciation actually makes financial sense vs. when it makes things worse.
Cryptocurrency Taxes for US Expats (2026)
US citizens abroad owe US tax on crypto gains regardless of where they live — FEIE doesn't help with investment gains. This guide covers FBAR obligations for foreign exchange accounts, Form 8938 reporting, the PFIC trap in foreign crypto funds, the exit tax mark-to-market on crypto for covered expatriates, why the wash sale rule doesn't apply (and the harvesting advantage that creates), and the country-by-country FTC analysis showing which countries (UK, Germany, Japan) let you offset US crypto tax and which (UAE, Singapore) don't.
Returning to the US: Repatriation Tax Planning Guide
Moving back after years abroad? The 6–12 months before you return are your planning window. PFIC cleanup before you become a US resident again, foreign pension decisions (RRSP keep vs. TFSA liquidate), final-year FEIE proration, the Roth conversion window that closes when you land, state domicile selection, and the IRS Streamlined 0% penalty path that closes the moment you reestablish US residency.
US Expat Financial Planning Guide
Detailed framework — rules, tradeoffs, and common mistakes.
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Expat Advisor Match is a matching service. We connect you with vetted fee-only financial advisors in our network — we don't manage money or provide advice ourselves. Advisors in our network are fiduciaries who charge transparent fees (not product commissions), and we match you based on your specific situation.