Free tool guide
Family and citizenship questions abroad
Family events abroad can connect tax, citizenship and identity-document rules that belong to different agencies. A foreign spouse may change filing options, a child born abroad can need several documents, and green-card or citizenship decisions can have lasting consequences. These tools organize the questions and official workflows without turning a short checklist into a legal or immigration determination.
Start with these checks
How could I file with a foreign spouse?
Compare married filing separately, a possible resident-spouse election, and head-of-household topics without choosing an election for you.
Does my family member need an ITIN or SSN?
Start with SSN eligibility, then check whether a federal tax purpose supports an ITIN application.
What should I arrange for a child born abroad?
Build separate checklists for citizenship evidence, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a U.S. passport, and an SSN.
Could I claim the Child Tax Credit while abroad?
Review the child-level age, relationship, dependency, status, SSN, and residence tests before applying the return-level rules.
What should a green card holder check before living abroad?
Review trip length, reentry documents, continuing U.S. ties, tax-return treatment, and naturalization continuity.
What should I review before renouncing U.S. citizenship?
Organize nationality, five-year compliance, covered-expatriate tests, complex assets, Form 8854, and the consular process.
More tools in this topic
- What U.S. reporting should I check after a foreign adoption?: Keep the Hague or non-Hague process, immigration case, finalization, taxpayer ID, and adoption-credit records in one review list.
- What should I check before retiring abroad?: Build a practical list for residence permission, benefits, health coverage, pensions, taxes, banking, and estate records.
- Could U.S. estate or gift reporting apply?: Screen a gift, bequest, estate, or trust event and see which U.S. reporting topics need closer review.
How to use this guide
Each tool gives a complete first-pass result from the facts you enter and keeps its official sources and review date visible. It is general information, not tax or legal advice. Check unusual facts with a qualified professional.
Guide updated .