Mel Whitney
Articles
How to file late FBARs in 2026: Delinquent FBAR submission procedures guidance
The Delinquent FBAR filing procedures historically covered an FBAR-only pro...
IRS Form 14653: A complete guide for US expats and offshore filers
What is Form 14653? Form 14653 is the IRS certification form u...
How to report foreign self-employment income and handle self-employment tax on foreign earned income (2026 guide)
US citizens and resident aliens abroad must report foreign self-employment income on a US tax return when they meet the filing rules for the 2025 tax year. The key issue is that self-employment tax on foreign earned income is separate from income tax, even when the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) reduces taxable income on Form 1040. ...
IRS Form 8840: closer connection exception to avoid US taxation
IRS Form 8840, Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens, lets a foreign national who passes the substantial presence test still be treated as a nonresident for US tax purposes if they maintain stronger ties to another country. If you spend significant time in the United States but consider another country your home, the Internal...
F-1 international student tax return guide for 2026
An international student US tax return for 2025 depends first on federal tax residency. A nonresident F-1 student with taxable US income usually files Form 1040-NR by April 15 or June 15, 2026, while an exempt individual must file Form 8843 even with no income...
Private placement life insurance (PPLI) for US expats
Private placement life insurance, usually called PPLI, is a specialized life insurance structure that can hold investments inside a policy. For US expats, its benefits are conditional: policy qualification, investor-control limits, foreign reporting, local tax treatment, costs, and liquidity determine whether it works. Start with the 10 key facts...