5 facts If you never filed US taxes
3 min
25-02-2016
About Americans Overseas
AboutBeing Americans living abroad ourselves, we learned the hard way about US tax compliance, so we are now here to help you.
Americans Overseas is an independent organization that offers a network of carefully selected tax consultants. The network is regularly updated based on customer feedback.
Americans Overseas was founded by Daan Durlacher (left) and Michael Littaur (right) who where born in the The Netherlands but had never lived or worked in the US
How we started
Like many Americans who live abroad, we were diligent about properly filing in our country of residence. We were unaware of any tax obligations related to our American ties. For us, this all started with a letter from our bank informing us about FATCA. As this information was new to us, it quickly led to questions like:
- what does the IRS do?
- what does FATCA stand for?
- do I really have to file a US tax report?
- can’t I just give up my passport?
- and “where can I find my Employer Identification Number?
In the search for information
Little information about US tax compliance for US citizens living abroad was available online. We also found out that filing an FBAR, 1040, or entering any of the IRS streamlined programs should be done with great attention to detail. We observed that filing incorrectly or with the wrong procedures could lead to grave complications and even penalties. That is why we advise that you do not file until you have the right information about your specific situation from a specialized advisor.
our mission
Americans Overseas wants to make sure your path to compliance is a more simple, direct and cost-efficient one. We do this by providing information on tax matters for Americans living abroad. We connect Americans worldwide to the right tax specialists for their situation.
Finding a specialist advisor
In our costly and exhausting process of finding the right tax and legal experts, we realized we had not only accumulated a mountain of knowledge but also built up a solid network of experts. This could be of great benefit to other Americans in similar situations.
Get an introduction to an advisor
If you wish to be introduced to an advisor that we recommend based on your personal situation, simply fill in our form. We will contact and/or introduce you within two working days. There is absolutely neither cost nor any obligation for you until you have decided to sign up with one of our partnering tax or law offices at their discounted fees.
The people that will help you find the right tax advisor for your situation.
the americans overseas team
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Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the US tax system, the obligations and all the additional terms can be difficult. Especially if one lives outside of America. Is your question not answered? Contact us.
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Who is required to file taxes in the US?
U.S. citizens and resident aliens who live abroad are generally required to file a federal income tax return and pay taxes on their worldwide income
Read more... about Who is required to file taxes in the US? -
Do US citizens living abroad still have to file taxes in the US?
Yes, US citizens are required to file taxes on their worldwide income, regardless of where they are living.
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How can I cash my US check?
Received an American check? You can cash your check in the following ways: cash the check at your own bank, transfer to another person (endorsement), cash checks using an online service or cash the check by another bank.
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Are there any special tax forms required for US citizens living abroad?
US citizens living abroad may be required to file Form 2555 and/or Form 1116 to claim the foreign-earned income exclusion.
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What is FBAR filing?
FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) filing is the requirement for certain U.S. individuals and entities to report their foreign financial accounts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of Treasury. The FBAR filing requirement applies to U.S. persons who have a financial interest in, or signature authority over, one or more foreign financial accounts, if the aggregate value of those accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.
Read more... about What is FBAR filing?
