Married to a Foreigner and Panicked About Taxes? Relax—Here's Why

Bogotá Nomads Dinner –July 29, 2026 If you are in Bogotá or planning to be, join us. RSVP here: https://mat.tg/JulyDinner ABOUT THIS VIDEO Marrying a Colombian does not automatically put your spouse in the U.S. tax system. In this video, Matt explains how the IRS looks at a Colombian spouse, why the Substantial Presence Test matters, and how Americans can accidentally create tax reporting obligations through foreign accounts, FBAR, FATCA, joint filing decisions, citizenship, and worldwide income. Substantial Presence Test calculator: https://theamericano.com/tools/substa... This video is for educational purposes only. Matt is not a tax advisor, attorney, accountant, or financial planner. Always speak with a qualified cross-border tax professional before making tax, legal, or financial decisions. CHAPTERS 0:00 Marrying a Colombian and the IRS 0:45 The Tax Assumption Most Americans Make 1:35 Does the IRS Tax Your Colombian Spouse? 2:35 Why the Visa Does Not Decide Taxes 3:30 The Substantial Presence Test Explained 4:35 Married Filing Separately by Default 5:30 The Tax Election That Can Follow You 6:45 Colombian Marriage vs Unión Marital de Hecho 7:45 The Real Risk: FBAR and FATCA 8:55 When Your Spouse Becomes a U.S. Citizen 10:05 Foreign Accounts, Worldwide Income and PFICs 11:15 Can Your Colombian Spouse Run a Business? 12:25 When It Becomes Tax Fraud 13:20 The Big Takeaway for Cross-Border Couples COMMUNITY AND RESOURCES Bogotá Nomads For expats, travelers, and remote workers navigating Colombia in real time: https://BogotaNomads.com The Passport – 2026 Regional Guides + Membership In-depth analysis on global living, quality of life, and strategic relocation: https://thepassport.co Free Newsletter Global living insights and relocation realities delivered weekly: https://psprt.to/newsletter Consulting and Projects Custom software, AI builds, and long-term international structuring: https://mat.tg/call Separate paid relocation consults are available for Colombia-specific planning. Real Estate Newsletter Market insights and real-world investing perspectives: https://newsletter.brokor.com #USTaxes #ExpatTaxes #MarriedAbroad #ExpatLife #BudgetLiving #GlobalLiving #LatinAmerica #QualityOfLife #RemoteWork #LifeAbroad