Guides to foreign banking and reporting
Eight guides covering legality, FBAR, FATCA, why people bank abroad, bank reluctance, offshore structures, records, and red flags.
Is Having a Foreign Bank Account Legal?
Is having a foreign bank account legal? Yes - here's exactly why, and why the real risk isn't the account, it's not reporting it.
Read the guide →FBAR Explained for US Persons with Foreign Accounts
FBAR explained for US persons with foreign accounts: what it is, who has to file it, when, and why it's separate from your tax return.
Read the guide →FATCA Explained: How Foreign Banks Report to the US
FATCA explained: how foreign financial institutions report US account holders to US authorities, and why skipping disclosure is a losing bet.
Read the guide →Why People Open Foreign Bank Accounts Legitimately
Why people open foreign bank accounts legitimately: expat life, international business, foreign property, and currency diversification, explained plainly.
Read the guide →Will a Foreign Bank Work with a US Citizen?
Will a foreign bank work with a US citizen? A practical look at why many foreign banks are reluctant, and what actually tends to help.
Read the guide →Foreign Bank Account vs. Offshore Trusts and Corporations
Foreign bank account vs. offshore trusts and corporations: a real distinction, and why the latter needs far more professional guidance than the former.
Read the guide →Record-Keeping for Foreign Bank Accounts
Record-keeping for foreign bank accounts: what to keep, for how long, and why cross-border situations need more than typical domestic habits.
Read the guide →Offshore Banking Red Flags to Watch For
Offshore banking red flags to watch for: untraceable-money promises, pressure to skip reporting, and how to spot an unlicensed advisor.
Read the guide →The Cross-Border Banking Reporting Starter Guide
This free guide walks through the same framework used across this site: understand why holding a foreign account is legal, know your FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations, and recognize the warning signs of an illegitimate offshore pitch. It ends with a worksheet and a list of questions to bring to a licensed cross-border professional.