How American Expats Can Invest From Abroad Without PFIC Headaches: How Renascence & Partners Makes It Simple.

Living abroad as an American should expand your world, not shrink your investment options. Unfortunately, for U.S. citizens overseas, the moment you try to save or invest locally, you run headfirst into a maze of restrictions, tax traps, and institutions that simply don’t want to deal with U.S. regulation. It’s a problem most expats discover only after they’ve already opened the wrong type of account.

At Renascence & Partners, we specialise in helping American expats regain control of their wealth by opening fully compliant, U.S.-based investment accounts that avoid PFIC exposure and keep your long-term strategy on track—no matter where you live.

Why Investing Abroad Is Hard for U.S. Citizens

American citizenship comes with a lifelong connection to the IRS. Unlike almost every other country on earth, the United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income, even when they live entirely overseas.

That has two major consequences:

1. Foreign financial institutions often refuse U.S. clients

Because of FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), many banks and investment platforms in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere simply refuse to onboard U.S. citizens or green-card holders. They don’t want the compliance burden.

Expats quickly find themselves unable to open brokerage accounts, buy funds, or even keep existing accounts open.

2. Foreign mutual funds and ETFs trigger punitive PFIC taxation

Most non-U.S. collective investment vehicles—mutual funds, index funds, ETFs—are considered PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Companies) for U.S. tax purposes.

Owning PFICs typically means:

• Highly punitive tax treatment

• Annual mark-to-market gains

• Complex Form 8621 filing requirements

• Effective tax rates that can exceed 50%

PFIC exposure can quietly destroy long-term returns. Many Americans living abroad unknowingly hold PFICs through their local bank or advisory relationship, only to discover the consequences at tax time.

3. U.S. brokers sometimes restrict overseas residents

Even U.S.-based platforms impose limitations on clients who live overseas. Some freeze accounts, restrict certain trades, or prohibit new account creation for expats.

This leaves many Americans in a paradox: They can’t invest locally, and they’re restricted from investing back home.

The Renascence & Partners Solution: A Proper U.S.-Based Account, No PFICs, No Drama

American expats do not need to settle for limited options or punitive tax structures. Renascence & Partners provides a clear, compliant path forward.

1. We open U.S. investment accounts for Americans anywhere in the world

We work with U.S. custodians who welcome American expats. You can live in Thailand, the UK, Denmark, Singapore—wherever—and still maintain a fully functional U.S. brokerage account.

Your account stays open. Your access is not restricted. Your investments remain under U.S. jurisdiction.

2. PFIC-free portfolios designed for U.S. taxpayers

We exclusively use:

• U.S.-domiciled ETFs

• U.S.-listed stocks

• U.S. Treasury products

• Separately managed accounts where appropriate

  
  

All of these are not PFICs. They are straightforward, IRS-compliant investments with clean tax reporting.

3. True fiduciary oversight

All advice by a U.S. Registered Investment Adviser (RIA). This means:

• Act as a fiduciary 100% of the time

• Fees are transparent and structured

• No commissions, kickbacks, or product incentives

  
  

This stands in stark contrast to the offshore advisory world, where hidden fees and non-U.S. products are the norm.

4. Investment planning tailored to expat realities

Your financial life spans countries, currencies, and regulatory systems. We handle the complexities, including:

• Currency exposure management

• Cross-border retirement planning

• Tax-efficient investment structuring

• Consolidation of old U.S. accounts

• Integration with U.S. tax advisors

  
  

Our job is to make your financial infrastructure as stable as your passport.

Common Issues We Solve for American Expats

Many of our clients come to us after facing one (or all) of these issues:

“My foreign bank says I can’t buy funds because I’m American.” We move your investments to a U.S.-based custodian that can actually serve you.

“My accountant told me my foreign ETFs are PFICs.” We rebuild your portfolio with U.S.-domiciled ETFs—clean, simple, tax-efficient.

“I tried opening a U.S. brokerage account but was rejected for having a foreign address.” We work with custodians that accept international residents with U.S. citizenship.

“My existing U.S. account is frozen because I moved overseas.” We transfer your assets into a compliant account with unrestricted access.

Why This Matters

Investing shouldn’t be a privilege that disappears the moment you book a one-way flight.Your financial future shouldn’t hinge on whether a foreign bank feels like dealing with FATCA paperwork.

The United States offers the deepest, most transparent investment market in the world.American expats deserve access to it.

Renascence & Partners gives you that access—cleanly, legally, efficiently.

Final Word

If you're an American living abroad and you want to invest without PFIC landmines, foreign restrictions, or institutional roadblocks, you need a U.S.-based solution built specifically for expats.

That’s exactly what we do every day at Renascence & Partners.

Whether you're relocating, already settled overseas, or planning your long-term financial structure, we can help you build a globally resilient investment strategy that keeps you protected and compliant.

Take Control

If you’re an American living in Asia and want clarity, compliance, and confidence in your financial strategy, we’re here to help.

Contact Renascence & Partners today to speak with an advisor who understands both sides of your financial world.