U.S. Expats in Korea

U.S. citizens, green card holders, and U.S. tax residents living in Korea face one of the most complex tax situations in the world.

Even while living abroad, the U.S. requires:

• Worldwide income reporting
• Foreign account reporting (FBAR, FATCA)
• Foreign income reporting
• Possible self‑employment tax
• Complex foreign tax credit coordination

At the same time, Korea has its own residency rules, income tax system, and reporting obligations.

Our U.S. Expats in Korea service helps you stay fully compliant in both countries while minimizing double taxation and optimizing your global tax position.

Clients often ask:

• “Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return if I live in Korea”
• “How do I report my Korean salary, pension, or business income”
• “Do I qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)”
• “How do I avoid double taxation between the U.S. and Korea”
• “Do I need to file FBAR or FATCA for my Korean accounts”
• “What happens if I didn’t report foreign income in prior years”
• “How does Korean residency affect my U.S. taxes”

These questions are extremely common — and the consequences of getting it wrong can be significant.

We help U.S. expats in Korea stay compliant, reduce tax, and simplify their cross‑border life.

✔ U.S. Tax Compliance for Expats

• Form 1040 with foreign income
• Schedule B, D, E for Korean income
• Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit)
• Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion)
• Self‑employment tax considerations
• State tax residency analysis

✔ Korean Income Integration

• Salary, bonus, and stock compensation
• Korean business income
• Rental income from Korean property
• Pension and severance (퇴직금)
• Korean tax withholding and credits

✔ Foreign Reporting Requirements

• FBAR (FinCEN 114)
• FATCA (Form 8938)
• PFIC reporting (Form 8621)
• Foreign entity reporting (5471, 8865, 3520)

✔ Residency & Treaty Application

• U.S.–Korea tax treaty benefits
• Residency tie‑breaker rules
• Avoiding double taxation
• Determining primary taxing jurisdiction

✔ Planning for Long‑Term Expats

• Retirement planning across borders
• Social Security vs 국민연금 (NPS)
• Investment strategy (PFIC avoidance)
• Future relocation or return to the U.S.

We take a comprehensive, coordinated approach to expat taxation.

• Treaty‑aligned: We apply the U.S.–Korea treaty strategically
• Holistic: Income, residency, and reporting all work together
• Risk‑controlled: Avoid penalties and compliance traps
• Forward‑looking: Plan for future moves, retirement, and investments
• Clear explanations: No jargon — you understand your obligations