FBAR Filing Requirements 2026: Who Must File, Deadlines & How to Submit Online
U.S. persons with over $10,000 in foreign financial accounts must file an FBAR by April 15. Learn who must file, how to submit online, and key deadlines.
MOVING TO FRANCE & FRENCH ADMINFRANCEUNITED STATES
Timothy D
3/2/20261 min read
Do You Need to File an FBAR?
If you are a U.S. person and the combined value of your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114).
This rule applies even if the balance was over $10,000 for just one day.
Who Must File?
You must file if:
You are a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or U.S. tax resident, and
Your total foreign accounts combined exceeded $10,000.
This includes bank accounts, investment accounts, certain pensions, and joint accounts.
👉 If your child’s foreign accounts exceed $10,000, they must file a separate FBAR as well.
FBAR Deadline
The deadline is April 15.
There is an automatic extension to October 15, but I generally recommend filing by April 15 and getting it done.
How to File
FBARs are filed online through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) website:
https://bsaefiling.fincen.gov/file/fbar
To convert foreign balances into U.S. dollars, I typically use the yearly exchange rates published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/yearly-average-currency-exchange-rates
Do You Need to Pay Someone to File?
Many accountants and tax lawyers charge $100–$250 to file an FBAR. This is a waste on money in my opinion as it’s a simple online form that you can complete yourself in a short amount of time and submit directly on the website.
If you have questions about personal finances, cross-border finances, or moving to France, reach out at mybestmoneylife@gmail.com or book a consultation here:
https://www.mybestmoneylife.com/book-an-appointment
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Every situation is different. You should consult a qualified tax or financial professional regarding your specific circumstances.
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