IRS & Other Expat Tax Resources
Living abroad doesn’t exempt you from IRS compliance—and it shouldn’t leave you guessing either. This page is your guide through the complexities of U.S. expat tax obligations, including FATCA, FBAR, and foreign income reporting. Whether you’re filing abroad for the first time, catching up on missed IRS deadlines, or organizing your finances for retirement overseas, these curated resources offer clear expat tax help to keep you informed, compliant, and confident.
Contact the IRS from Abroad
Official Support for International Taxpayers
If you’re living abroad and need help with your U.S. tax obligations, the IRS provides dedicated resources for international taxpayers. Whether you’re resolving account issues, requesting tax transcripts, or asking about filing abroad, this section connects you directly to the IRS’s global contact center for expat tax help.
What you’ll find:
- Phone numbers for international callers
- Hours of operation and time zone details
- Assistance with IRS notices, account questions, and transcript requests
- Support for U.S. expats, dual citizens, and foreign asset reporting under FATCA and FBAR
Contact my local office internationally | Internal Revenue Service
International Taxpayer Advocate Service
If you’re a U.S. taxpayer living abroad and dealing with unresolved IRS issues—such as delayed refunds, unprocessed filings, or confusing notices—the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) offers free, confidential expat tax help. TAS is an independent arm of the IRS focused on protecting taxpayer rights and resolving complex problems when standard channels don’t deliver.
What you’ll find:
- Contact details for international TAS offices
- Help with IRS refund delays, account discrepancies, and compliance barriers
- Guidance on taxpayer rights and next steps for filing abroad
- Support for expats, dual citizens, and those navigating foreign asset reporting under FATCA and FBAR
International – Taxpayer Advocate Service
Filing Requirements for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad
This IRS resource outlines who must file U.S. taxes while living abroad, how foreign residency affects your IRS compliance obligations, and which forms and deadlines apply. It’s especially valuable for Americans earning income overseas, whether through employment, self-employment, or retirement. The page explains how filing abroad interacts with key expat tax tools like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC)—both essential for reducing double taxation.
You’ll also gain clarity on how to report foreign bank accounts under FBAR, meet disclosure requirements under FATCA, and avoid common filing mistakes that trigger penalties. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a retiree abroad, or a global entrepreneur, this is a must-read for anyone navigating foreign income reporting and building a life beyond U.S. borders.
U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad | Internal Revenue Service
When to File & Automatic Extension for Expats
If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien living abroad, the IRS offers an automatic 6-month extension to help you meet your filing obligations. While the standard tax deadline still applies, qualifying taxpayers overseas receive extra time to file—an essential benefit for those navigating foreign income reporting and dual-country compliance.
This IRS resource explains who qualifies for the extension, how it works, and what steps to take if you need additional time beyond the automatic grace period. Whether you’re filing abroad for the first time or managing complex reporting under FATCA and FBAR, this guidance is a key part of staying compliant and avoiding penalties. .
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) is one of the most powerful tools available to U.S. expats seeking to reduce their tax liability while living and working abroad. By excluding up to a substantial portion of your foreign income from U.S. taxation, FEIE helps lower your taxable income, preserve more of your earnings, and simplify your IRS compliance obligations.
This IRS resource explains who qualifies for FEIE—based on the physical presence test or bona fide residence test—and how to properly claim the exclusion when filing abroad. It also outlines how FEIE interacts with other
key expat tax strategies, including the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), which can help offset taxes paid to a foreign government.
This page is a must-read for anyone seeking expat tax help and clarity on how to legally minimize their U.S. tax burden while living overseas.
Foreign earned income exclusion | Internal Revenue Service
Foreign Housing Exclusion
The Foreign Housing Exclusion is a valuable IRS provision that helps U.S. expats offset the high cost of living overseas by reducing their U.S. taxable income. This IRS resource explains who qualifies, which housing expenses count, and how to calculate and claim the exclusion when filing abroad.
It also outlines how the housing exclusion works alongside other key expat tax tools—like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC)—to support smarter foreign income reporting and long-term IRS compliance. If you’re managing rent, utilities, or other qualified expenses abroad, this is essential expat tax help for preserving more of what you earn.
Foreign housing exclusion or deduction | Internal Revenue Service
Foreign Tax Credit
The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) is a key IRS provision that helps U.S. expats avoid double taxation on income earned abroad. This IRS resource explains who qualifies, which foreign taxes are eligible, and how to calculate and claim the credit when filing abroad.
It also outlines how the FTC works alongside other expat tax tools—like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the Foreign Housing Exclusion—to support smarter foreign income reporting and long-term IRS compliance. If you’re earning income overseas and paying taxes to a foreign government, this is essential expat tax help for preserving your income and staying compliant.
Foreign Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service
FATCA: Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) increases transparency by requiring certain U.S. taxpayers to report foreign financial accounts and assets—even if held entirely outside the United States. This IRS resource explains who must report under FATCA, what types of foreign holdings are covered, and how to file Form 8938 to stay compliant.
It also outlines how FATCA interacts with other key expat reporting tools, including FBAR and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), helping you avoid penalties and reduce double taxation. If you’re managing finances across borders, this is essential expat tax help for protecting your financial integrity and meeting your IRS compliance obligations.
Summary of FATCA reporting for U.S taxpayers | Internal Revenue Service
FBAR: Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) is a critical IRS requirement for U.S. taxpayers with signature authority or financial interest in foreign financial accounts exceeding certain thresholds. This IRS resource explains who must report, what types of accounts are covered, and how to file electronically through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
It also outlines how FBAR interacts with other expat reporting tools like FATCA and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), helping you avoid penalties and maintain full IRS compliance. If you’re managing cross-border finances, FBAR is essential for meeting foreign asset reporting obligations and protecting your financial integrity.
Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) | Internal Revenue Service
Countries with Agreements with the U.S. to Help Locate
FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) is more than a domestic law—it’s a global framework for IRS compliance and foreign asset reporting. Through formal Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs), the U.S. has partnered with dozens of countries to identify U.S. citizens abroad who hold foreign financial accounts and ensure those accounts are reported to the IRS.
This IRS resource outlines which countries have signed FATCA agreements, how these partnerships support international tax cooperation, and what it means for expats managing cross-border finances. If you’re living overseas and maintaining foreign accounts, understanding FATCA’s global reach is essential for meeting your disclosure obligations and accessing reliable expat tax help.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act | U.S. Department of the Treasury