Federal Benefits and Federal Agency Services for American Citizens Abroad

April 15, 2013

Social Security

Medicare: Medicare benefits are not available outside the United States. More information about Medicare is available here and here.

Veterans Benefits and Services

Taxes / Internal Revenue Service

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE:

On Oct. 2, 2012 the IRS implemented clarifying changes to its temporary procedures for issuing ITINs for noncitizens with tax extensions and many foreign students.

On June 22, 2012, the IRS the IRS implemented interim guidelines for issuing ITINs for noncitizens. IRS Strengthens ITIN Application Requirements; Interim Changes Will Protect the Integrity of the ITIN Process

Message From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):  Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Reports (FBAR) FILING DEADLINE is June 30, 2012.

Unlike tax filings which must be postmarked by the due date, the FBAR must be RECEIVED by the Department of Treasury (PO Box 32621, Detroit, MI 48232-0621) on or before the due date. 

For the FBAR, there are no filing extensions available, and the potential of significant penalties exists for noncompliance with reporting requirements. There may be confusion about filing the new form required by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), Form 8938, and/or the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), TD F 90-22.1. Some are required to file both.  

A comparison chart that summarizes the distinctions between the two forms and provides guidance on who may have to file an FBAR, a Form 8938, or both, can be found here.

FBAR Assistance: Help in completing Form TD F 90-22.1 (PDF) is available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, at 866-270-0733 (toll-free inside the U.S.) or 313-234-6146 (not toll-free, for callers outside the U.S.). The form is available online at IRS.gov and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network website or by telephone at 800-829-3676. Questions regarding the FBAR can be sent to FBARquestions@irs.gov.

Combating Fraud, Waste and Abuse in Federal Tax Administration

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is responsible for oversight of IRS activities and for maintaining integrity in the U.S. Federal tax system. Fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal tax administration are unfair to all U.S. taxpayers and can take a variety of forms. TIGTA’s oversight includes targeted audits, programmatic inspections and evaluations, and both criminal and administrative investigations of potential fraud, waste, and abuse. Examples include:

  • Attempts by taxpayers to bribe IRS personnel;
  • Assaults or threats by taxpayers against IRS employees or facilities;
  • Theft of IRS tax remittances;
  • Impersonation of the IRS organization or IRS personnel in schemes involving the Internet or the mail to obtain personal financial information;
  • IRS employees who misuse their position for personal gain;
  • Outside contractors defrauding the IRS through false claims, deceptive contract methods, and other fraud;
  • Circumstances that could impede or hinder compliance with Federal tax laws and regulations; and,
  • Apparent abuses of taxpayer protection and rights.

Please report any information that you may have related to potential fraud, waste, and abuse to the TIGTA Hotline.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control: The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorism sponsoring organizations and international narcotics traffickers based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. OFAC acts under Presidential wartime and national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on transactions and freeze foreign assets under U.S. jurisdiction. Many of the sanctions are based on United Nations and other international mandates, are multilateral in scope, and involve close cooperation with allied governments.

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Census Bureau

Voting Assistance Program

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): International Aviation Safety Assessment Program

Worldwide Caution

Travel Warnings

Travel Alerts

Country Information

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