RoseMarie Guaglieri

Tax and retirement planning for US expats has never been simple—and 2026 adds a new twist. Alongside familiar considerations, the new Section 530A child savings accounts are entering the picture. The 530A program introduces a new opportunity for families abroad, adding to an already nuanced planning landscape.

If you're an American living abroad, June 15 is an important date on your tax calendar. It marks the end of the IRS's automatic two-month extension to file your U.S. tax return. In 2025, however, June 15 falls on a Sunday, meaning the deadline shifts to Monday, June 16.

Nowadays, it is common for people to ask questions and follow the guidance of an online community, but when it comes to taxes, it comes with significant risks. Countless social media posts provide incorrect expatriate tax advice, and some even advance a misguided theory that Americans abroad should avoid filing tax returns because coming clean will be when your troubles begin. Reckless advice encouraging purposeful negligence of U.S. tax reporting obligations is serious, and the consequences for those who follow it can be severe.