You’re a Dual Citizen. Your U.S. Tax Obligations Should Feel Clear, Not Overwhelming.
Dual Citizenship Comes With Its Own Set of Questions
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Living permanently in your other country of citizenship but unsure about U.S. filing requirements
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Wondering if you’ll be taxed twice on the same income
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Holding foreign bank accounts in your country of residence
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Just discovering you have U.S. tax obligations you weren’t aware of (Accidental Americans)
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Years behind on U.S. tax filing and worried about penalties
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Concerned about FBAR and FATCA reporting requirements
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Earning income, pensions, or investment income in your other country of citizenship
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Considering renunciation but want to understand the tax implications first
Start your U.S. expat tax return today.
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These guides address the most common questions dual citizens face. So you can take your time, understand what applies to you, and move forward with confidence.
Do I Pay Taxes in Both Countries as a Dual Citizen?
While dual citizens must file U.S. tax returns on worldwide income, most owe nothing to the IRS. Nearly two out of three American expats owe zero U.S. taxes after applying the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion ($130,000 for 2025) and Foreign Tax Credit. Learn more about dual citizenship tax obligations
How the Foreign Tax Credit Prevents Double Taxation
The Foreign Tax Credit provides dollar-for-dollar relief for foreign taxes already paid to your other country of citizenship. This credit often eliminates U.S. tax liability entirely, especially for dual citizens in high-tax countries. Learn more about preventing double taxation
What If I’m Years Behind on Filing?
The IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures allow penalty-free catch-up by filing three years of returns and six years of FBARs, as long as your failure to file was non-willful. Most dual citizens owe little or nothing after applying foreign tax credits. Learn more about Streamlined Filing Procedures
FBAR Requirements for Dual Citizens
If your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 total at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR with FinCEN. The deadline is April 15 (automatic extension to October 15) and is filed separately from your tax return. Learn more about FBAR filing requirements
Understanding Your Filing Requirements as a Dual Citizen
U.S. citizens must file tax returns regardless of where they live or hold dual citizenship. However, filing doesn’t mean you’ll owe taxes—the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Tax Credit, and tax treaties help most dual citizens reduce U.S. tax liability to zero. Read the complete dual citizenship tax guide
Accidental Americans: What If I Just Discovered My U.S. Tax Obligations?
Many dual citizens discover their U.S. tax obligations only when opening bank accounts (FATCA), receiving inheritance, or planning major financial decisions. If you’ve never filed because you didn’t know you needed to, there are penalty-free paths through Streamlined Filing Procedures. Learn more about Accidental American tax complianceFeatured In
Real Stories From Dual Citizens Just Like You
Greenback — the systems, and the accountant made it easy to work with despite having my own superannuation fund, my own self-run business, and a few other complexities which do my head in when it comes to US tax. Egads — the US Tax filing is so much more difficult to do myself.
4.84/5
4.9/5
4.8/5
Support Designed for Dual Citizens
Holding citizenship in two countries presents unique U.S. tax considerations, including filing requirements regardless of residence, preventing double taxation, and maintaining compliance with both FBAR and foreign tax obligations. Our services are designed to help dual citizens understand their current position, address any unresolved issues, and stay compliant going forward.
U.S. Federal Tax Return Preparation for Dual Citizens
We handle complete U.S. federal tax return preparation including Form 1040, Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion), and Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit). We ensure your worldwide income is reported correctly and apply every available protection to minimize or eliminate U.S. tax liability. Our CPAs specialize in dual citizenship situations and understand how to coordinate U.S. filing with your other country’s tax system.
$565
USD
FBAR and FATCA Compliance
Dual citizens routinely hold bank accounts, investment accounts, and retirement accounts in their other country of citizenship. We help you determine which accounts require FBAR filing, calculate the $10,000 aggregate threshold correctly, and prepare and electronically file FBARs through FinCEN’s system. We also handle FATCA Form 8938 when your foreign assets exceed the higher reporting thresholds.
$125+
USD
UK Dual-Country Tax Coordination
For UK dual citizens, we offer combined U.S. and UK Self-Assessment services through our UK Chartered Accountant. We ensure both filings are aligned and take advantage of treaty provisions.
$910
USD
Streamlined Filing for Dual Citizens Behind on Filing
If you’re years behind on U.S. tax filing because you didn’t know about your obligations, we help you catch up through the IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures. This penalty-free program requires filing three years of returns and six years of FBARs, certifying that your failure to file was non-willful. Most dual citizens who proactively come forward face zero penalties and owe little or nothing after foreign tax credits.
$1,750
USD
State Tax Review for Dual Citizens
If you previously lived in a U.S. state before moving to your other country of citizenship, we review whether state filing is still required. Some states maintain tax jurisdiction over former residents even after you’ve moved abroad. We help you determine your state obligations, properly sever state residency if possible, and file state returns correctly when necessary.
$185
USD
Strategic Consultation for Dual Citizens
If you want clarity about your U.S. tax obligations, a consultation with an expat tax expert can help. We walk through your dual citizenship situation, explain exactly what filing requirements apply, outline your options for preventing double taxation, and answer questions about catch-up filing or future compliance. Consultations start at $250 and provide personalized guidance for your situation.
$250+
USD
Your Questions, Answered: US Tax Guides & Resources
Visit the Knowledge Center
Dual Citizen Tax FAQs
Can Greenback help me file U.S. taxes as a dual citizen?
Yes. Greenback specializes in U.S. taxes for dual citizens living in their other country of citizenship. We handle complete federal tax return preparation including Form 1040, Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion), and Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit). Our CPAs understand how to prevent double taxation and coordinate U.S. filing with your other country’s tax system. Most dual citizens pay zero U.S. tax after available protections are properly applied.
What about the new 2025 dual citizenship bill? Is dual citizenship being banned?
No. The proposed Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 is not law, and dual citizenship remains fully legal today. Experts expect significant constitutional and administrative barriers to prevent this proposal from becoming reality. The bill conflicts with Supreme Court rulings that prohibit stripping citizenship without voluntary intent and lacks bipartisan support. Your primary focus should remain on tax compliance. If you’re concerned about how policy proposals might affect your situation, we can help you understand the tax implications and stay compliant regardless of future legislative changes.
Read our analysis of the dual citizenship bill
Can Greenback help me avoid paying taxes to both countries?
Yes. If you paid taxes in your other country of citizenship, we help you claim the Foreign Tax Credit on Form 1116 to prevent double taxation. This provides dollar-for-dollar relief against your U.S. tax liability. For dual citizens in high-tax countries, the Foreign Tax Credit often eliminates U.S. tax entirely. We also help you determine whether the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or Foreign Tax Credit works better for your situation.
Can Greenback help me catch up if I’ve never filed U.S. taxes as a dual citizen?
Yes. Many dual citizens discover their U.S. tax obligations years or decades late. We help you catch up through the IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures, which allow penalty-free compliance by filing three years of returns and six years of FBARs. This program is designed for taxpayers whose failure to file was non-willful—which applies to most dual citizens who simply didn’t know they needed to file. Most owe little or nothing after foreign tax credits.
Can Greenback help me with FBAR filing for my foreign accounts as a Dual Citizen?
Yes. If your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 total at any point during the year, FBAR filing is required. This includes accounts in your other country of citizenship. We help you determine which accounts must be reported, calculate the aggregate threshold correctly, and handle electronic filing through FinCEN’s system. Our FBAR service starts at $115 for up to 5 accounts. If you’ve fallen behind on FBARs, we can also help you catch up.
Can Greenback help me if I need to file taxes in both countries?
Yes. For dual citizens who need to file tax returns in both the U.S. and your other country of citizenship, we can coordinate both filings. For UK dual citizens specifically, we offer combined U.S. and UK Self-Assessment services through our UK Chartered Accountant. We ensure both filings are aligned, maximize treaty provisions, and prevent double taxation through proper coordination.
Can Greenback help me understand if I should renounce my U.S. citizenship?
We can provide tax guidance related to renunciation, though the decision itself is personal and complex. If you’re considering renunciation, we help you understand the tax implications, ensure five years of clean tax filings to avoid covered expatriate status, and navigate the expatriation tax rules. A consultation can help you understand the financial and tax considerations before making this irreversible decision.
Dual Citizen? File U.S. Taxes Without the Confusion.
