Mel Whitney
Articles
FBAR vs. Form 8938: A detailed guide to key differences and filing thresholds (2026)
If you hold money outside the US, two separate reporting rules may apply to you. FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network if the aggregate maximum value of your foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000...
IRS Form 14654 instructions for SDOP filing: How to certify non-willfulness under the domestic streamlined procedures
Many US taxpayers discover years later that foreign income, bank accounts, or FBARs were never reported — often because they did not realize the rules applied to them. To help eligible ...
FBAR penalties in 2026: late filing fines, violations, and relief
Most late FBAR cases do not automatically lead to maximum penalties. The biggest risk factor is whether the IRS sees the failure as non-willful or willful. ...
IRS Form 14653: A complete guide for US expats and offshore filers
What is Form 14653? Form 14653 is the IRS certification form use...
What is an ITIN, and why do you need one?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is a 9-digit IRS Taxpayer ID for people who need to file or be listed on a US federal tax return but cannot get an SSN. For 2025 returns filed in 2026, ITIN issues often come up for nonresident spouses, foreign depend...
Foreign Tax Credit carryover and carryback guide for expats
The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) carryover lets a US taxpayer move qualified foreign income taxes that exceed the Form 1116 limitation back 1 year and forward as many as 10 years. For 2025 returns filed in 2026, balances must be tracked by income category, and section 951A-category taxes cannot be carried over. An unused FTC arises when you...