For U.S. taxpayers receiving foreign income, it is essential to be aware of the American tax requirements for such income. The United States is the only major country that taxes its citizens and permanent residents on income earned anywhere in the world. When faced with such an aggressive government stance on foreign income, U.S. taxpayers receiving foreign income must be certain they are in legal compliance.

Placing funds in certain foreign banks and investments overseas might be sound financial planning, but there are strict Internal Revenue Service reporting rules that must be followed.

If you are an American living abroad, you may have noticed in recent years that you have become subject to many complex reporting requirements and burdensome tax rules. You may have also discovered that it has become more difficult to get banks or financial institutions in the country where you live to continue to do business with you.