Living abroad doesn’t free U.S. citizens from their tax obligations — even as an expat, the IRS expects you to file a U.S. tax return each year if your income crosses the minimum threshold. However, the good news is that U.S. expats get extra time to file. Still, the tax deadlines for expats can be confusing, especially with terms like automatic extension, FBAR, and Form 4868 floating around.
To help you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary penalties, here’s a breakdown of the key U.S. tax deadlines every expat should know in 2025.
- April 15, 2025 – Original U.S. Tax Deadline
This is the standard deadline for filing your Form 1040, the U.S. individual income tax return. It applies whether you live in the U.S. or abroad.
BUT:
If you’re living outside the U.S. on this date, you automatically get a 2-month extension (no request needed) — which leads us to the next deadline.
- June 16, 2025 – Automatic Extension for Expats
U.S. citizens and green card holders living abroad on April 15 get an automatic 2-month extension to file their federal tax return, making June 16, 2025 (since June 15 is a Sunday) your new filing due date.
No form is required to get this extension, but you must attach a statement to your return explaining why you qualified (i.e., you were living outside the U.S.).
Important: This is just an extension to file — not to pay. Any taxes owed are still due by April 15, or interest will accrue from that date.
- October 15, 2025 – Extended Deadline with Form 4868
If you need more time beyond June 16, you can request an additional 4-month extension by filing Form 4868 by April 15.
This gives you until October 15, 2025, to file your tax return — but again, this doesn’t extend your payment deadline.
- April 15, 2025 – Payment Deadline
Even though you get extra time to file as an expat, tax payments are still due by April 15. Failing to pay by this date may lead to interest and late payment penalties, even if you file on time later.
- April 15 or October 15, 2025 – Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR)
If you had foreign bank accounts with an aggregate value over $10,000 at any time in 2024, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114).
- The original FBAR deadline is April 15
- However, the automatic extension gives everyone until October 15, 2025, with no form required
FBAR is filed separately from your tax return on the FinCEN website, not through the IRS.
Final Tips for Expats:
- Don’t assume you don’t need to file — U.S. tax law is based on citizenship, not residency
- Consider Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555) or Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) to avoid double taxation
- Keep track of foreign account balances and file your FBAR if you meet the threshold
- Work with a professional who understands expat taxes — it can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes
Need help filing your U.S. taxes from abroad?
We specialize in expat tax filing, FBAR, and international tax compliance. Contact us today for a stress-free filing experience!
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