So what's the best brokerage for U.S. expats?

If that's not the question we hear most, then it certainly ranks right up there for the most-asked financial question when it comes to being an American abroad and trying to invest. Like any oft-searched, idiosyncratic inquiry, this question has no one right – or wrong – answer. The best version of a succinct response? "It depends."

Our team of expat advisors – Stan Farmer, CFP®, J.D.; Syl Michelin, CFA®; and Keith Poniewaz, Ph.D. – shed some light on a subject that can be frustrating and nerve-wracking, whether you're already abroad and your current brokerage is closing your accounts, or you're in the early stages of planning a move.

Questions around finding a brokerage as a U.S. expat? Send us an email – [email protected] or see the links section below for information and expat materials.  

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In our first episode of Gimme Some Truth for Expats, Keith Poniewaz (Ph.D.), Stan Farmer (CFP®, J.D.) and Syl Michelin (CFA®) bring their first-hand knowledge as expats to the table to set the stage for the podcast, as they outline the key financial complications for Americans outside of the U.S. 

Unfortunately, being an American and moving abroad doesn't mean smooth sailing when it comes to avoiding Uncle Sam and those U.S. taxes. Keith, Stan, and Syl detail what citizenship-based taxation means, something that makes the U.S. particularly unique on the taxation front. As Stan puts it, you can cut ties physically with the U.S., but not fiscally. They also cover compliance and reporting, touch on Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs), and more. And before you go canceling those relocation plans because of how complex and stressful financial life might seem as a U.S. expat, there's also good news too – things like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

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