American Expats - Abroad, not off the radar episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 26, 2026 · 10 MIN

American Expats - Abroad, not off the radar

from ReThink ExPats · host Janice Diaz and Robert Rigby Hall

FATCA, FBAR, and the reality of being “on the grid” A lot of Americans abroad assume that once they leave the U.S., they’re off the radar. They’re not. In this episode, Janice and Robert break down the reality of staying “on the grid” as a U.S. citizen overseas, including two of the most important reporting rules expats need to understand: FATCA and FBAR. Robert shares what it felt like to discover these rules firsthand after living and working abroad, including the surprises around tax deadlines, banking, and account access. Janice adds the financial services perspective and explains why even people with industry experience often do not fully understand how these rules affect real life until they are living abroad themselves. This episode is not about fear. It is about clarity. You do not need to become a tax expert. But you do need to know what follows you, so you can ask better questions and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode: Why Americans abroad are still subject to U.S. reporting rules Common expat assumptions vs reality What FATCA is and why it matters What FBAR is and who may need to file The difference between FATCA and FBAR Why education reduces stress and helps you plan smarter Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Please speak with a qualified professional about your specific situation.

FATCA, FBAR, and the reality of being “on the grid” A lot of Americans abroad assume that once they leave the U.S., they’re off the radar. They’re not. In this episode, Janice and Robert break down the reality of staying “on the grid” as a U.S. citizen overseas, including two of the most important reporting rules expats need to understand: FATCA and FBAR. Robert shares what it felt like to discover these rules firsthand after living and working abroad, including the surprises around tax deadlines, banking, and account access. Janice adds the financial services perspective and explains why even people with industry experience often do not fully understand how these rules affect real life until they are living abroad themselves. This episode is not about fear. It is about clarity. You do not need to become a tax expert. But you do need to know what follows you, so you can ask better questions and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode: Why Americans abroad are still subject to U.S. reporting rules Common expat assumptions vs reality What FATCA is and why it matters What FBAR is and who may need to file The difference between FATCA and FBAR Why education reduces stress and helps you plan smarter Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Please speak with a qualified professional about your specific situation.

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This episode was published on February 26, 2026.

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FATCA, FBAR, and the reality of being “on the grid” A lot of Americans abroad assume that once they leave the U.S., they’re off the radar. They’re not. In this episode, Janice and Robert break down the reality of staying “on the grid” as a U.S....

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