Taxes & Banking — The Passport

💸 Taxes & Banking

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Colombia Tax Residency Is Not the Same as Visa Residency

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings for foreigners in Colombia.A visa controls your immigration status. Tax residency determines how Colombia may treat you for tax purposes.Colombia’s tax residency rule generally counts people as tax residents if they remain in...

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Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

U.S. Citizens Abroad — Filing, FBAR, and Foreign Accounts

For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, moving abroad usually does not end U.S. tax filing obligations. The IRS says U.S. citizens and residents living or traveling abroad are generally required to file income tax returns based on income, filing status, and age, similar to...

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Sarah Kowalski · May 15, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Opening a Bancolombia account — what worked, what didn't

3 attempts. 3rd worked. What helped:Bringing my cédula extranjería AND my passport (they ask for both).Going to a branch in El Poblado that's used to foreigners, NOT a random branch downtown.Going Tuesday morning, NOT Friday afternoon.Having a Colombian phone number already...

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Greg Sullivan · May 14, 2026

Tax residency is not immigration residency

A reminder that comes up constantly: tax residency and immigration residency are different concepts.A visa may let you stay legally.Tax residency determines how a country may tax you.Banking compliance is another layer.U.S. filing obligations are another layer again.Has...

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Brian Fisher · May 14, 2026

U.S. expats: filing vs. owing are not the same thing

A lot of Americans abroad hear “you still have to file U.S. taxes” and immediately think it means “you will definitely owe twice.” But filing and owing are not the same thing.U.S. citizens and resident aliens generally still file U.S. taxes while living abroad. Some may...

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Greg Sullivan · May 13, 2026 🇺🇸 United States

FATCA reporting — anyone using a specialist?

Greg here, FIRE in Medellín. Question for fellow US citizens: are you DIY-ing your FBAR/FATCA reporting or paying a specialist? I've been DIY for 2 years and I'm getting nervous about a missed account. Any recommended firms that work with Americans abroad?

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James Patterson · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

183-day rule and US tax residency — practical implications

For Americans considering moving here long-term: the 183-day rule (becoming a Colombian tax resident) is the big inflection point. Once you're a Colombian tax resident, you owe Colombian tax on worldwide income (with US-Colombia treaty offsetting some).Real...

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