Guides
Money & Taxes
Tax obligations, banking, currency strategy, and financial planning for expats.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): The $126,500 Tax Break Every American Abroad Needs to Know
The $126,500 tax exclusion that lets Americans working abroad legally pay zero US federal income tax.
Can You Collect Social Security While Living Abroad? Yes — But Read the Fine Print
Yes, you can collect Social Security overseas — but Medicare won't follow you. Here's what retirees need to know.
What Happens to Your 401(k) and Roth IRA When You Move Abroad
FATCA, FBAR, PFIC rules, and the Roth IRA trap. What happens to your retirement money when you leave.
Buying Property in Foreign Currency: What Americans Need to Know
EUR/USD swings can add $50K to your property cost overnight. Hedging strategies and when to lock rates.
Why 'Gringo Pricing' Is Real — and How to Avoid It in Mexico
Gringo pricing in Mexican real estate is real. Here's how it works, how much extra Americans pay, and the specific tactics to get local prices.
The 7 Hidden Costs of Buying a House in Spain Nobody Warns Americans About
Seven hidden costs of buying property in Spain as an American — ITP, plusvalÃa, community fees, reference values, and the ones that surprise US buyers.
Do Americans Pay Capital Gains Tax on Foreign Property?
How the IRS taxes capital gains on foreign real estate owned by US citizens in 2026 — rates, Section 121 exclusion, treaty offsets, and reporting.
FBAR and Foreign Real Estate: What You Must Report to the IRS in 2026
Do Americans have to report foreign real estate on FBAR or Form 8938? The actual rules for 2026 — what's reportable, what isn't, penalties, and how to file.
Wiring $500K to Buy a Foreign House: How to Do It Without Getting Flagged
The legal, tax, and bank-compliance mechanics of wiring six figures abroad to close on a foreign home — CTRs, SARs, Wise vs bank wires, and how to document the source.
Avoiding Double Taxation on Property You Own Abroad
US citizens owe US tax on worldwide income — but treaties, the Foreign Tax Credit, and the FEIE mean most foreign property owners never actually pay twice.
The Best Currency Strategy When Buying in Euros as an American
A $500K Spanish house costs you either $485K or $535K depending on how you move USD into EUR. Here's the real currency playbook for American buyers.
The FEIE Won't Cover Your Foreign Rental Income — Here's What Will
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion only covers active wages. Rental income from your foreign property is not excluded. Here's the real strategy.
Foreign Bank Accounts for American Home Buyers: Wise, Revolut, or Local?
Wise, Revolut, and local foreign banks each solve different problems for American expats buying abroad. Which one actually works at closing — and which just looks cheap.
Form 8938 and Foreign Real Estate: When You Need to File
Foreign real estate held personally isn't reportable on Form 8938 — but hold it through an LLC, trust, or fideicomiso and everything changes.
Inheritance Tax on Property in Spain vs. Portugal vs. Italy for US Heirs
Spain, Portugal, and Italy each tax inherited real estate on a completely different basis. Here's what your American kids actually pay inheriting your European house.
Why Paying Cash for a House Abroad Might Cost You a Mortgage Deduction
Cash buyers skip the paperwork — but they also skip the mortgage interest deduction, which can be worth $3K-$10K per year for Americans buying abroad.
Property Tax in Mexico vs. California: Why Your Annual Bill Drops 90%
A $600K house in California means a $7,000 annual property tax bill. The same house in Mexico means under $500. Here is why, and where the catch is.
How the US Taxes Rental Income from Property in Mexico
Mexican rental income is fully US-taxable, but the Foreign Tax Credit, depreciation, and treaty mechanics typically cut the net US bill to zero.