If you hold a foreign bank account, own international investments, or have financial ties outside the United States, you’ve probably heard the terms FBAR and FATCA — sometimes used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t. Understanding the difference matters, because each has its own form, its own deadline, its own threshold, and its own set of penalties for non-compliance. We know — you've heard about FBAR and FATCA before. But there's a reason we keep coming back to this

Here's the thing most international tax articles won't tell you: by the time you walk into a U.S. embassy to renounce your citizenship or file Form I-407 to abandon your green card, your exit tax exposure is already fixed. There is no going back, no last-minute restructuring, and no do-over. The exit tax under IRC Section 877A doesn't care when you start planning. It cares about what your financial life looked like on the day before you left. That's why identifying the warnin

Did you know that moving to a new state doesn't automatically end your tax obligations to your old one? Learn the six warning signs that your former state may still consider you a resident — and the steps you need to take to protect yourself from a costly audit.

One of the most dangerous misconceptions about the Green Card is that its tax impact is tied to the plastic card's expiration date. In reality, the IRS tracks your status through a "long-term resident" (LTR) clock that begins the moment you are granted permanent residency.

Moving to or from the U.S. mid-year changes your tax residency status, making you a dual-status individual. This means you are both a U.S. tax resident and a nonresident in the same tax year.

US citizens and expats with foreign bank accounts face strict IRS and FinCEN reporting requirements. From FBAR to FATCA, learn the most common mistakes — and how to stay compliant.

If you have a foreign pension or investment account abroad, you've probably never heard of a PFIC. That's a problem — because the IRS has, and the tax rules around them are brutal. What's a PFIC? PFIC stands for Passive Foreign Investment Company. In plain English: almost any foreign fund. Foreign mutual funds, foreign ETFs, foreign pension funds that invest in pooled vehicles — they almost all qualify. If your foreign pension invests in foreign funds (which virtually all d

If you live or work abroad, there's a good chance you have a foreign retirement account — and the U.S. has its own rules for it that don't always match your host country's. From employer contributions being taxed before you retire, to reporting requirements that exist even when you owe zero tax, the gaps between systems catch a lot of expats off guard. Here's what you need to know.

If you own rental property, have a stake in a partnership, or receive income from an estate or trust — Schedule E is where it all lives on your return. It's also one of the most consistently mishandled forms I see. The mistakes aren't always obvious. Wrong depreciation lives, misclassified losses, unreported foreign rental income — they compound quietly, year after year. Let's fix that.

Should you amend a tax return — or wait? In domestic filings, corrections are often straightforward. But when foreign income or international reporting is involved, the decision becomes more strategic. Missed foreign income, FBAR filings, and forms like 8938, 5471, or 3520 can carry penalties even if no tax is owed. This article explains when amending reduces risk, when waiting makes sense, and why international corrections require careful evaluation before taking action.

If you're a freelancer, sole proprietor, or small business owner, filing Schedule C with your tax return is part of your routine. But it’s important to know that some entries on that form can raise questions with the IRS. While most small businesses won’t face an audit, certain red flags can increase your chances of receiving IRS correspondence, a notice, or a closer look at your return.

Remote worker conference call Remote and hybrid work are no longer temporary solutions — they are permanent features of today’s business landscape. For small and mid-sized businesses, this shift has created a new layer of tax and payroll complexity that is often overlooked until a notice arrives from a state tax agency. If you have employees working remotely in other states — even just one — your business may already have multi-state payroll obligations. Failing to handle the

Social Security - Totalization Agreements The U.S. Social Security system generally requires individuals to earn a minimum amount of covered work in order to qualify for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. For U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who spend part of their careers working outside the United States, meeting these requirements can be challenging. To address this issue, the United States has entered into Social Security Totalization Agreements wit

FSA and HSA can be used for medical bills. As the year comes to a close, many taxpayers focus on filing deadlines and overlook one of the simplest ways to reduce their tax bill: properly funding their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). These accounts offer powerful tax advantages, but only when eligibility rules and deadlines are clearly understood. Health Savings Accounts are available to individuals enrolled in a qualifying high deductible heal

This webinar recap breaks down the essentials of U.S. taxes for expats, including worldwide income rules, FEIE vs. FTC, PFIC reporting, FBAR/FATCA requirements, foreign business filings, and state residency issues. Watch the full video and learn how to stay compliant while living abroad.

When you support a cause you care about—whether it’s disaster relief abroad, an overseas animal rescue, or a global education nonprofit—it’s natural to assume your generosity will also help at tax time.

Join me for a clear, practical webinar designed for U.S. expats and anyone with foreign assets. We’ll cover who must file, what income is taxable, key foreign asset reporting rules, and common mistakes to avoid. Perfect for Americans abroad, dual citizens, and global families who want to stay compliant with confidence.

Many taxpayers are surprised to learn this: if you never filed a tax return, the IRS can legally go back forever. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled returns. The clock only starts once a return is filed. So why does the IRS talk about a 6-year rule? Because while the IRS can demand every unfiled year, they generally don’t. The 6-year rule is an IRS administrative policy, not a legal limit—but it matters when you’re trying to get back into compliance. No Statute of

Getting a big tax refund isn’t a win—it’s a sign you gave the IRS an interest-free loan all year. Learn why refunds drain your cash flow and how smarter withholding keeps more money in your pocket.

Every Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor those who’ve served — and at MKHS Tax Group, we also want to help them make the most of the tax benefits they’ve earned. Whether you’re retired, transitioning out of active duty, or still serving, there are important federal and state tax provisions designed to support veterans and their families.