Living Abroad US Taxes: A Straightforward Expat Tax Filing Playbook That Won’t Surprise You Later
If you’ve worked with Americans overseas, you’ve heard the same line a hundred times: I don’t live in the US, so I don’t need to file. The problem is that living abroad US taxes don't work like most countries’ tax systems. The US taxes are based on citizenship (and certain residency rules), not just where you live. That’s why Expat Tax Filing is less about Do I owe? and more about Do I have to file, and what do I have to report? This guide is written like I’d explain it to a colleague—clear steps, real-world examples, and the common traps people step into when living abroad US taxes become an annual panic. Who must deal with living abroad with US taxes? Start with status, always. In most cases, living abroad US taxes applies if the person is: A U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. A green card holder (unless they’ve formally ended that status) A non-citizen who qualifies as a U.S. resident for tax purposes under the substantial presence test (often frequent travelers) If any of th...