What is FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts)?
An annual U.S. report (FinCEN Form 114) required when the total of your non-U.S. financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point in the year.
Also searched as: FinCEN Form 114, foreign account report.
The FBAR is filed with FinCEN, separately from your tax return, if the aggregate value of your foreign accounts crosses $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. It is informational — it reports account existence, not income — but penalties for not filing can be steep.
It is distinct from FATCA reporting (Form 8938), though both may apply. Many U.S. expats owe no extra tax but still must file the FBAR.
Official source: FinCEN — Report Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.
Reviewed July 2026. General information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — always verify current official requirements.
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