Whether you hold a savings account in London, an investment fund in Singapore, or multiple brokerage accounts around the globe, you need to stay on top of your FBAR filing deadline. If the combined value of your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the year, you’re required to file FinCEN Form 114. The FBAR filing deadline is April 15, and if you miss it, you get an automatic extension until October 15 without filing any extra paperwork. Staying aware of these dates can help you avoid steep late-filing fees and penalties.

Navigating overseas compliance while managing daily life abroad can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down your FBAR obligations, key due dates, extension options, and step-by-step tips to file on time, so you can focus on what matters most—living and working overseas.

Understand FBAR basics

Who must file

You must file an FBAR if you’re a U.S. person—citizen, resident alien, trust, estate, partnership, or corporation—and you have a financial interest in or signature authority over one or more foreign financial accounts with an aggregate value over $10,000 during the calendar year.

What counts as a foreign account

Foreign financial accounts include bank accounts, brokerage and securities accounts, mutual funds, and certain insurance or annuity policies held at non-U.S. institutions. Even if you only have signature or other authority (but no financial interest), you still need to report those accounts.

Reporting threshold

The FBAR threshold is a cumulative $10,000. Add up the highest value of each foreign account at any time in the year—if that total tops $10,000, you must file. Note that FBAR is separate from FATCA, which has its own requirements and higher thresholds.

Check your deadline

Standard deadlines

Your FBAR is due April 15 following the calendar year you’re reporting. In 2016, FinCEN aligned FBAR due dates with federal tax returns, moving the deadline from June 30 to April 15.

  • April 15: initial FBAR due date
  • October 15: automatic six-month extension

Automatic extension

If you miss the April 15 deadline, you don’t need to request extra time. FinCEN grants an automatic extension to October 15 each year. Treat this as a safety net, not a procrastination excuse—file well before October to avoid last-minute glitches.

Explore extension options

Natural disaster relief

If you live in an area designated by FEMA for disaster relief, the IRS may grant additional automatic extensions for your FBAR. Check the latest IRS FBAR relief notices to see if your locale qualifies.

Signature authority relief

From time to time, FinCEN issues special extensions for U.S. employees or officers who have signature or other authority over foreign accounts but no financial interest. For example, certain regulated‐entity officers got an extension for their 2024 FBARs until April 15, 2026. Always review current FinCEN notices to see if you qualify.

Prepare your report

Gather account information

Start by collecting for each foreign account:

  • Institution name and address
  • Account number or designation
  • Maximum value during the calendar year (in U.S. dollars)
  • Type of account (bank, brokerage, mutual fund, etc.)

Review filing instructions

Before you begin, make sure you understand every step:

Submit your FBAR

Electronic filing process

All FBARs must be submitted through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing System. Register or log in, complete FinCEN Form 114 online, and submit before your deadline. For a smoother experience, follow our walkthrough of the FBAR e-filing process.

Paper filing exceptions

Paper FBARs are generally not accepted unless FinCEN grants you an exemption. If you receive that approval, you mail your paper form to the IRS following the address and instructions provided in your exemption notice.

Handle late filings

Voluntary disclosure programs

If you miss your deadline and haven’t heard from the IRS, you have options to come into compliance:

  • Voluntary Disclosure Program
  • Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures
  • Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures

Talk with a tax professional to choose the best path for your situation.

Minimize potential penalties

Filing as soon as you realize you’re late is key. Include a signed statement explaining why you missed the deadline—reasonable cause can reduce civil penalties. Always keep proof of your submission date.

Avoid costly penalties

Civil versus criminal penalties

FBAR violations can trigger civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties apply in most cases, but willful violations can carry criminal charges.

Maximum penalty limits

Non-willful violations can result in penalties up to $12,921 per violation (adjusted annually). Willful violations can incur penalties up to 50 percent of the account balance or $100,000, whichever is greater. For full details, see FBAR maximum penalty.

FBAR filing takeaways

  • Know your FBAR filing deadline: April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15.
  • Confirm whether you meet the $10,000 aggregate threshold.
  • Explore special extensions for disasters or signature-authority filers.
  • Gather account data and review official instructions before you start.
  • File electronically via the BSA E-Filing System or obtain a paper‐filing exemption.
  • If you file late, use voluntary disclosure procedures and explain your delay.
  • Understand civil and criminal penalties to avoid costly mistakes.

Stay proactive, mark your calendar, and tackle your FBAR filing early—your overseas accounts will thank you later.