FATCA Form 8938 Threshold Calculator 2026 — Filing Requirement Check
Determine if you must file Form 8938 (FATCA). Check $50K–$600K thresholds by filing status and US vs abroad residence. FBAR comparison included.
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Highest total value of all foreign assets at any point in the year $
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Combined balance of all foreign financial accounts —
Must File Form 8938?
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Must File FBAR?
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8938 Threshold (Any Time)
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8938 Threshold (Year-End)
Filing Requirement Analysis
How to Use This FATCA Form 8938 Threshold Calculator
Select your filing status and whether you live in the US or abroad, then enter the maximum aggregate value of your specified foreign financial assets at any point during the year and at year-end (Dec 31). The calculator determines if you must file Form 8938 with your 1040.
Form 8938 Thresholds (2026)
US Residents:
Single/MFS/HoH: File if >$50,000 (any time) OR >$75,000 (year-end)
MFJ: File if >$100,000 (any time) OR >$150,000 (year-end)
Living Abroad:
Single/MFS/HoH: File if >$200,000 (any time) OR >$300,000 (year-end)
MFJ: File if >$400,000 (any time) OR >$600,000 (year-end)
FBAR (FinCEN 114): File if aggregate >$10,000 at any time (all filers, regardless of residence)
Single/MFS/HoH: File if >$50,000 (any time) OR >$75,000 (year-end)
MFJ: File if >$100,000 (any time) OR >$150,000 (year-end)
Living Abroad:
Single/MFS/HoH: File if >$200,000 (any time) OR >$300,000 (year-end)
MFJ: File if >$400,000 (any time) OR >$600,000 (year-end)
FBAR (FinCEN 114): File if aggregate >$10,000 at any time (all filers, regardless of residence)
Example
Single US resident with peak foreign assets $60,000 and year-end $45,000:
Any-time threshold ($50,000): CROSSED — $60,000 > $50,000
Year-end threshold ($75,000): Not crossed — $45,000 < $75,000
Result: Must file Form 8938 (either threshold triggers requirement)
FBAR: Check if accounts exceeded $10,000 — very likely YES
File both Form 8938 with your 1040 AND FinCEN 114 by April 15
Any-time threshold ($50,000): CROSSED — $60,000 > $50,000
Year-end threshold ($75,000): Not crossed — $45,000 < $75,000
Result: Must file Form 8938 (either threshold triggers requirement)
FBAR: Check if accounts exceeded $10,000 — very likely YES
File both Form 8938 with your 1040 AND FinCEN 114 by April 15
Extended
FBAR vs 8938 Comparison + Penalty Structure
Side-by-side FBAR and FATCA requirements with penalty analysis
FBAR vs Form 8938 Comparison
| Feature | FBAR (FinCEN 114) | Form 8938 (FATCA) |
|---|
Penalty Structure
| Violation | FBAR Penalty | Form 8938 Penalty |
|---|
What Must Be Reported on Form 8938
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FATCA Form 8938 and who must file it?
Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) is required under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) for US taxpayers who have interests in specified foreign financial assets exceeding threshold amounts. Specified assets include: foreign bank accounts, foreign securities, foreign partnership interests, foreign trusts, and certain foreign contracts. The form is filed with your annual Form 1040 — it is NOT a standalone filing. Taxpayers who are NOT required to file a 1040 do not need to file 8938 even if they have foreign assets above the threshold.
What are the Form 8938 filing thresholds for 2026?
Thresholds depend on filing status and residence. US Residents — Single/MFS/HoH: file if aggregate value exceeded $50,000 at any time during the year OR was above $75,000 at year-end. Married Filing Jointly (US residents): $100,000 at any time OR $150,000 at year-end. Living Abroad (bona fide residents or physical presence test) — Single: $200,000 at any time OR $300,000 at year-end. MFJ abroad: $400,000 at any time OR $600,000 at year-end. If EITHER threshold is crossed, you must file.
What is the difference between Form 8938 (FATCA) and FBAR (FinCEN 114)?
FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is filed separately with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (not the IRS) and has a $10,000 aggregate threshold — much lower than 8938. FBAR covers foreign financial accounts (bank, brokerage, etc.). Form 8938 covers a broader range of "specified foreign financial assets" including accounts and non-account assets like foreign stocks, notes, and certain contracts. Many taxpayers must file BOTH. FBAR penalties can be up to $10,000/year for non-willful violations and 50% of account value for willful violations. Form 8938 penalties start at $10,000 for failure to disclose.
What assets are NOT reported on Form 8938?
Certain assets are excluded from Form 8938 reporting: (1) foreign real estate held directly (not through a foreign entity); (2) US-based financial accounts even if holding foreign securities; (3) social security-type benefits from foreign governments; (4) foreign currency held directly; (5) assets reported on other international information returns (Form 5471, 8865, 3520, etc.) — dual reporting is not required, but the 8938 must still reference those other forms. Note that real estate held through a foreign corporation or partnership IS reportable.
What are the penalties for failing to file Form 8938?
The initial penalty for failure to disclose on Form 8938 is $10,000. If the IRS notifies you of the failure and you still do not file within 90 days, an additional penalty of $10,000 per 30-day period (up to $50,000) applies. Criminal penalties may also apply for willful violations. Additionally, failure to file 8938 suspends the statute of limitations on the entire Form 1040 — not just the foreign asset items — meaning the IRS has unlimited time to assess taxes on the entire return for years where a required 8938 was not filed.