Penalties for US Non-Filers Living Abroad

If you are a U S citizen, Green Card holder, or non resident alien with U S tax obligations, living abroad does not exempt you from IRS compliance. In fact, failure to file required forms or pay taxes can lead to serious financial and legal penalties, even if you live outside the United States.

Let us break down what you need to know about penalties, non filing risks, and ways to get back in compliance.

Who Is Considered a Non Filer?

A non filer is someone who does not submit a required U S tax return or information return despite meeting the filing threshold or other criteria.

Common examples include:

• U S citizens living in Canada who do not file Form 1040

• Individuals who fail to report foreign accounts via FBAR or FATCA

• Non residents earning U S source income without filing Form 1040 NR

• U S owners of foreign corporations or trusts who skip Forms 5471 or 3520

Common Penalties

Failure to File Penalty

• Usually five percent of the unpaid tax per month, up to twenty five percent maximum

Failure to Pay Penalty

• Half a percent per month on the unpaid tax

FBAR Penalty

• Ten thousand dollars or more per account per year for non willful violations

FATCA Form 8938 Penalty

• Ten thousand dollars minimum and up to fifty thousand for continued failure

Form 5471 and 3520 Penalties

• Start at ten thousand dollars per form per year

Can You Avoid Penalties?

Yes, the IRS offers several relief programs for taxpayers who have non willfully failed to file:

Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures

• Designed for U S citizens living abroad who were unaware of their tax obligations. If accepted, no penalties are charged.

Relief Procedures for Certain Former Citizens

• Available for individuals who renounced citizenship without knowing about filing requirements.

Why It Matters

Ignoring these obligations can result in frozen accounts, passport restrictions, and accumulated penalties. Even if you owe no tax, the failure to file forms can be costly.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a non resident or a U S citizen abroad, timely filing is critical. If you think you may be out of compliance, take steps now to avoid escalating consequences.

At Nordfiscus, we specialize in helping expatriates and non residents navigate complex IRS rules and get back on track safely and confidently.