FBAR Filing Deadline for U.S. Expats: October 15, 2025

Do you hold U.S. citizenship or a Green Card while living abroad? Then you may have more than one tax obligation to keep in mind. One of the most important is the FBAR filing requirement: the obligation to report your foreign bank accounts to the U.S. government.

Timely filing is essential. Missing the deadline can result in severe penalties, even if you don’t owe U.S. income taxes. Here’s what every U.S. expat needs to know about the FBAR filing deadline for 2025.

Who needs to file an FBAR?

The FBAR requirement applies to all U.S. citizens and Green Card holders who, at any point during the calendar year, held more than $10,000 in total across foreign accounts. In this context, foreign means non-U.S. accounts.

It is important to note:

• FBAR is separate from your U.S. tax return. Even if you owe no taxes, you must still file.

• Filing Form 8938 (FATCA) with your U.S. tax return does not replace the FBAR requirement—you may need to file both.

Which accounts must be reported?

The FBAR covers more than just standard checking or savings accounts. The requirement also extends to:

• Foreign investment accounts

• Savings accounts

• Certain personal pension accounts, such as Dutch bankspaarrekeningen

As soon as the combined balance exceeds $10,000 at any time during the year, reporting is mandatory.

How and where to file

The FBAR must be filed electronically via the BSA E-Filing System, not through the IRS portal you may use for your U.S. tax return. The process is entirely online and separate from income tax filing.

Key filing deadlines

• April 15, 2025 – official FBAR filing deadline for the 2024 reporting year

• October 15, 2025 – automatic extension, available without any additional request

Why timely filing matters

Failure to comply with FBAR reporting can be costly. Penalties include:

• Civil fines that can reach thousands of dollars per violation, per year

• In severe cases of willful neglect, criminal penalties may also apply

For U.S. expats, late filing can quickly turn into a financial and legal burden. Proactive compliance is the only way to stay safe.

Bol International: your partner in global Tax Compliance

At Bol International, we understand the challenges U.S. expats face in navigating international tax rules. Our U.S. desk specialists combine in-depth knowledge of U.S. tax compliance with local expertise in Europe. We help you:

• Assess whether you are required to file an FBAR

• Gather the right account information for reporting

• File your FBAR on time and correctly

• Avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary stress