Mel Whitney
Articles
What is double taxation? How it works in the US and how to avoid double tax
Double taxation is one term that often becomes a cause for concern for those who live or do business abroad. In plain English, double taxation means the same income is taxed twice – either by two jurisdictions or at two levels, such as the company level and the shareholder level. That is what double taxation means. People also call it double tax....
IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP): a comprehensive guide for expats
The Internal Revenue Service introduced the streamlined foreign offshore procedures to give Americans abroad a structured way to catch up on missed tax filings without facing severe penalties. Instead of automatic fines, eligible ta...
IRS Form 14653: A complete guide for US expats and offshore filers
For Americans living overseas, IRS Form 14653 is the required certification for the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures that lets you catch up on missed filings without facing harsh penalties. The form includes a narrative statement e...
How to file late FBARs in 2026: Delinquent FBAR submission procedures guidance
Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures (DFSP) allow US taxpayers to file overdue foreign account reports without maximum penalties. If you missed FBAR deadlines for accounts exceeding $10,000 aggregate, DFSP provides a compliance path with typically $0 penalties if you have reasonable cause. ...
FinCEN Form 114 requirements: Who must file and what to report
FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts – and it’s filed separately from your federal income tax return through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing system, not with the...
Capital gains tax on foreign property: How to report and exclusions you can use (2026)
US tax rules follow you no matter where you live. When you sell a home or land in another country, the IRS still wants you to report the profit. In simple words, you figure out how much money you made, convert the numbers into US dollars, and then apply the tax breaks that fit. If you sold in 2025 vs 2026: The year you ...