Discover all the tax services we offer
Get an instance service estimate
Comprehensive guides on everything you need to know from planning your expat journey to filing your expat taxes with ease.
Our Country Guides will help you understand the ins and out of your specific U.S. expat tax requirements.
Access up-to-date articles, breaking news, deadline information and in-depth case studies on US expat taxes.
Get the answers to all your questions and browse Greenback’s most frequently asked customer questions.
Sign up for one of our live webinars hosted by our expert accountant team or watch one on-demand today.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get money-saving tips, expat tax news, and exclusive promos.
Learn how our straightforward pricing, easy process, and an expert team makes us uniquely qualified to simplify the hassle of expat tax filing.
We’ve assembled a team only the most experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly CPAs and IRS Enrolled Agents our clients can trust.
Read our client testimonials to get a feel for the Greenback experience straight from the expats we’ve worked with.
We’re featured in many reliable news sources thanks to our reputation as experts on US taxes abroad.
Whatever your expat tax needs, wheverver in the world, we’d love to hear from you.
Blog
A big impact of the Brexit decision was the dramatic decrease in GBP valuation – which in turn caused the US dollar to appreciate in value. This has the potential to lead to big tax consequences for American expats in the UK, especially for those who have acquired property abroad.
For American expats in the UK, selling domestic or foreign property triggers a reporting requirement on US taxes, since worldwide income must be reported. There are two sections that address foreign exchange gains and losses – Sec. 988 and 1256. Trades taxed under Sec. 988 are to be taxed at ordinary income, no matter whether the trade resulted in a gain or loss.
Because of the volatility of the GBP due to Brexit, Americans in the UK who are considered selling their foreign property may face an economic loss on the property that is not deductible – however, may find that they are required to pay US tax on the foreign currency gain related to the payoff of the foreign mortgage.
Americans working overseas will also find that foreign rental property income must be reported the same as domestic properties – reflected on Schedule E and taxed at ordinary rates. You can claim the same type of expenses (utilities, mortgage interest, management fees, etc.) as you would for domestic properties, and you can claim taxes paid to a foreign country as a foreign tax credit on Passive Form 1116.
It’s important to note, though, that foreign residential rental properties will be depreciated over the course of 40 years rather than the 27.5 years allocated to domestic properties. When you choose to sell your foreign rental property, you must report the gain or loss on your US Tax Return.
Learn more about the implications of selling your home abroad in this article.
The sale of securities – whether foreign or domestic – is governed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While it is difficult to directly purchase stock in foreign corporations, if done successfully, the income resulting from such ownership will be treated in the same manner as ownership in domestic corporations. This means that dividends will be reported on Schedule B and taxed at the applicable rate, and sales of foreign stock will be reported on Schedule D and taxed at long-term or short-term rates (depending on how long the stock was held). Any foreign tax credit attributable to the foreign corporation will be claimed on Passive Form 1116.
As you can imagine, economic events (such as Brexit) that occur outside the US have the potential to cause a significant impact when it comes to gains or losses reported on US expat taxes. For American expats in the UK, it’s a good idea to consult with an expat tax professional to discuss your situation before making a decision to sell foreign property or securities to ensure you take the necessary steps to minimize the consequences.
Our team of expert accountants is here to answer all of your expat tax questions – contact us today for the details you need.
When you live in the US, tax day is simple: April 15th! When you move abroad, it’s not so straightforward! Learn about all the expat deadlines and extensions you need to know to file.