Mel Whitney
- Non-resident taxation
- Real estate taxation
- Tax optimization
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Humboldt State University
Articles
IRS Form 14653: A complete guide for US expats and offshore filers
For Americans living overseas, IRS Form 14653 is the key step in the Streamlined Filing Procedures that allow you to return to compliance without harsh penalties. The form includes a short narrative statement explaining why past filing gaps were non-willful, making it central to a successful submission. To avoid future problems, follow our...
Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP): complete 2025 guide
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) introduced the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures to give Americans abroad a fair way to catch up on missed tax filings without facing crushing fines. Instead of penalties, eligible taxpayers can come forward, submit the required filings, and settle only the tax and interest due. This guide walks ...
Foreign rental income tax guide: how to report, deduct expenses, and stay compliant
If you earn foreign rental income – whether from a vacation apartment in Spain, a family home in Mexico, or a long-term lease in Canada – you must report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Many Americans believe that paying taxes in the country where their property is located exempts them from US reporting requirements, but tha...
IRS Form 8840: closer connection exception to avoid US taxation
If you spend significant time in the United States but consider another country your home, you might be surprised to learn that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could still classify you as a US tax resident – even without a green card. This often happens to business travelers, seasonal or temporary workers, and individuals who spend long ...
FBAR penalties in 2025: Everything you need to know
The penalty for failing to report your foreign bank accounts in 2025 could cost more than the accounts themselves, with willful FBAR penalties reaching $165,353 or 50% of the account balance per violation. FinCEN’s latest inflation adjustment and tighter enforcement, along with new court rulings, have made FBAR compliance riskier ...
Foreign Housing Exclusion for US expats: Rules, limits, and how to claim
Updated for the 2026 filing season, this guide clarifies the foreign housing exclusion for US citizens and resident aliens who spent 2025 abroad. By unpacking which housing expenses qualify – and how the benefit dovetails with the foreign earned income exclusion – it empowers professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees to trim their US...