Expat US Tax

17/07/2026

What is Form W-8BEN?

Form W-8BEN exists to help withholding agents determine whether you’re a foreign individual and how much US tax should be withheld from certain payments. If you qualify for treaty benefits, the form can also reduce the amount withheld before you receive your income.

The form generally serves three purposes:

1.) It certifies that you are a foreign individual for US tax purposes.

2.) It identifies you as the beneficial owner of the income.

3.) It allows you to claim treaty benefits if your country has an income tax treaty with the United States and you meet the qualifying conditions.

Example: A non-US investor opens an account with a brokerage that offers US stocks. Before receiving dividend payments, the brokerage requests Form W-8BEN to verify the investor’s foreign status.

If the investor qualifies for treaty benefits, the brokerage can generally apply the appropriate withholding rate instead of the default US withholding rate.

That doesn’t mean the form automatically reduces your tax. The treaty rules still need to be met, and the withholding agent relies on the information you provide to determine the correct withholding treatment.

Why was I asked to complete Form W-8BEN? Find out more in this guide 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/w8-ben-form/

Learn what Form W-8BEN is, who needs it, how to complete it, and how to claim reduced US withholding tax under an applicable tax treaty.

16/07/2026

For US expats, tax deadlines do not always come with plenty of notice. Sometimes life moves fast and you need a team that can keep up.

At Expat US Tax, we understand that our clients have busy lives, demanding schedules, and real deadlines. Our job is to work around those pressures, not add to them.

Jack trusted us with a tight turnaround and walked away very happy with the overall service.

Delivering great service regardless of the timeline is a standard we take seriously.

Need your US expat taxes handled efficiently and on time? Contact us today 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/contact/

15/07/2026

No office visit. No waiting room. Just expert US expat tax advice, online, whenever you're ready.

Expat US Tax offers private one-on-one consultations for US citizens, Green Card holders, and dual nationals living abroad, bookable directly from your smartphone in minutes.

Each consultation is tailored to the client's specific circumstances, covering the credits, deductions, exclusions, and obligations that apply to their return.

Get the expert help you need. Book your private consultation here 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/consultation/

14/07/2026

For many Americans living overseas, the cost of renouncing US citizenship has long been a major barrier. That has now changed.

On April 13, 2026, the fee for renouncing US citizenship dropped from US$2,350 to US$450, a reduction of US$1,900.

The US Department of State confirmed this change after reviewing consular service fees and considering public comments about the high cost.

It is worth pointing out that this fee is separate from any tax-related costs. Filing your final US tax return or preparing required IRS forms is not included in the consular fee.

However, it removes one of the largest financial obstacles for people considering giving up their US citizenship, particularly those concerned about the cost of renouncing US citizenship.

Considering renouncing US citizenship? Check out our guide to understand the full picture before making any decisions 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/us-renunciation-fee-reduction/

10/07/2026

What is IRS Form 926?

IRS Form 926 is used by US taxpayers to report certain transfers of cash or other property to a foreign corporation. Most US expats will never need to file it, but if you start, fund, or transfer assets to a foreign company,

Form 926 may be required even if you do not owe additional tax.

If you’re a US citizen living abroad, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Form 926 until now.

Unlike the FBAR or Form 8938, Form 926 only applies to specific transactions involving foreign corporations, making it one of the less common, but potentially significant international reporting requirements.

This guide explains Form 926, who it applies to, when it must be filed, and the situations where US expats are most likely, and least likely, to encounter it 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/the-irs-form-926/

If you start, fund, or transfer assets to a foreign company, Form 926 may be required even if you do not owe additional tax.

09/07/2026

What is IRS Form 4549?

IRS Form 4549, commonly referred to as the Report of Income Tax Examination Changes, summarizes the IRS’s proposed changes following a tax audit.

Receiving Form 4549 does not automatically mean you owe additional tax. It is a proposed examination report, not necessarily the final amount you owe.

Instead, it explains the IRS’s findings, shows how your tax return may change, and allows you to agree or disagree before the audit is finalized.

This article explains what Form 4549 is, why you may receive it, what the IRS’s proposed changes mean, and the steps you can take if you agree or disagree with the audit findings 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/the-irs-form-4549/

Form 4549 - The IRS employs the Income Tax Examination Changes form to alert taxpayers regarding potential modifications to their tax filings.

08/07/2026

When a tax situation gets complicated, the right team makes all the difference.

Susan came to Expat US Tax with a challenging tax issue and left with thorough answers, prompt support, and the confidence that she was in the right hands.

This is what we are built for. Not just the straightforward filings, but the complex, nuanced situations that require real expertise and real dedication.

Facing a complicated US expat tax situation? You do not have to navigate it alone.

Get in touch with our team today 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/contact/

07/07/2026

Americans living abroad who book a consultation with our team tend to come out of it knowing things they wished they had known sooner.

Expat US Tax gives Americans, Green Card holders, and dual nationals abroad direct access to specialists from home, covering the full picture of their US expat tax situation in a single consultation.

Our team uncovers the credits, deductions, exclusions, and obligations that most people only find out about after the fact.

No office visits, no hunting for someone local who understands US law, just expert advice built around your specific circumstances.

Schedule a consultation with our tax professionals today 🗓
https://www.expatustax.com/consultation/

03/07/2026

What is Form 114 used for?

Form 114 is used to report certain foreign financial accounts when their combined value exceeds the reporting threshold.

The information reported on Form 114 helps the US government identify offshore financial activity that may be linked to tax evasion, money laundering, or other financial crimes.

For most Americans living overseas, however, Form 114 is simply another annual reporting requirement that comes with maintaining foreign financial accounts.

Quick tip: Remember that filing Form 114 doesn’t mean you’ll owe additional tax. It is a disclosure requirement, not a tax form.

Check if you need to file Form 114 here 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/fincen-form-114/

US citizens and green card holders must file FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) if their foreign financial accounts exceed $10,000 during the year.

02/07/2026

If you are a US expat living in Australia, finding a team you can genuinely trust to handle your taxes from the other side of the world is everything.

That is exactly what Ian found with Expat US Tax. Prompt returns, every question answered, and a team that was simply great to work with from start to finish.

For Americans living in Australia, US tax filing is not a once-off headache. It is an ongoing responsibility that requires a reliable, knowledgeable team in your corner year after year.

We know the process, we know the cross-border complexities, and we know how to make it as straightforward as possible for every client we serve.

Ready for a tax experience that ticks every box? Let's get started 👇
https://www.expatustax.com/contact/