Reason - Why Some Americans Living Abroad Would Rather Renounce Their Citizenship Than File Taxes

By Tosin Akintola — Read the full article here

Illustration: Midjourney/Fatima Ruiz · Reason

REASON MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Why Some Americans Living Abroad Would Rather Renounce Their Citizenship Than File Taxes

By Tosin Akintola

---

TFFAA FEATURED IN REASON

In the article, Reason speaks with Brandon Mitchener, executive director of Tax Fairness for Americans Abroad (TFFAA), about the challenges Americans overseas face when navigating U.S. tax obligations and financial reporting requirements.

Brandon explains how FATCA has made it increasingly difficult for Americans abroad to access ordinary banking, investment and financial services. He notes that some foreign financial institutions avoid American customers, charge them more, or close their accounts.

---

The article also features Madison Berry, an American living in the Netherlands who was connected with Reason through TFFAA.

Madison shares her personal experience navigating U.S. tax and financial reporting requirements while living abroad. She describes concerns about potentially losing access to her European bank account because of her U.S. citizenship, and explains how these complications led her to consider renouncing her citizenship.

"I seriously considered renouncing my U.S. citizenship..."

— Madison Berry

Reporting and selected excerpt from Reason. Additional context provided by TFFAA.

Read the full article ↗

Copyright © 2026 Reason Foundation