According to 1040 Abroad, a tax filing service for U.S. citizens residing abroad, nearly one million American expatriates are contemplating renouncing their U.S. citizenship due to stringent tax obligations. Out of an estimated nine million Americans living overseas, roughly a quarter are either seriously considering or planning to give up their citizenship, with over 40% citing U.S. tax filing requirements as a primary motivator.
U.S. tax law mandates that all citizens and resident aliens report and pay taxes on their global income, regardless of their country of residence. This comprehensive fiscal responsibility often results in the necessity for expatriates to file taxes in multiple jurisdictions, compounding the complexity and burden of compliance.
Olivier Wagner, the founder of 1040 Abroad, notes that approximately two-thirds of American expatriates believe they are not required to file U.S. taxes, and many find the reporting requirements daunting. “It can get very complicated very quickly,” Wagner stated in an interview with I Am Expat.
For expatriates whose foreign bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during the year, a Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Report (FBAR) must be filed with the U.S. Treasury Department. The standard deadline for filing an FBAR is April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15 for those who fail to meet the initial deadline.
Further complicating matters, expatriates with higher financial thresholds may need to file Form 8938, aimed at preventing tax evasion. The end-of-year thresholds for filing this form are $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married couples filing jointly. The thresholds during the year increase to $300,000 for single filers and $600,000 for married couples.
The frustration with U.S. tax policy is compounded by broader discontents. According to 1040 Abroad, 60% of expatriates surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with how the U.S. government handled the COVID-19 pandemic, with many feeling unrepresented by their government. “In the end, many expats just want to live a normal financial life,” Wagner added. He emphasized that the majority of Americans living abroad are middle-class, not the stereotypical billionaires on yachts.
The phenomenon of renouncing U.S. citizenship, while still relatively rare, is more common among Americans than citizens of most other developed nations. Data from 1040 Abroad shows that between 3,000 and 6,000 American citizens renounce their citizenship annually, a trend that has been consistent since 2013.
