FBAR vs Form 8938: which one do you need?
If your foreign accounts totaled over $10,000 at any time in the year, you file an FBAR with FinCEN by April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15. Form 8938 goes with your tax return and has higher thresholds, starting at $50,000. You may need both, since one doesn't replace the other.
Updated November 2026 · By Pankil Kumar, Managing Partner
Quick facts
- FBAR trigger. Total foreign accounts above $10,000 at any time
- FBAR filed with. FinCEN, separate from your tax return
- Form 8938 from. From $50,000, higher if married or abroad
How do the two compare?
| Question | FBAR (FinCEN 114) | Form 8938 |
|---|---|---|
| Filed with | FinCEN, online | IRS, with your tax return |
| Trigger | Over $10,000 in total, at any time | From $50,000 for single filers in the US |
| Covers | Foreign financial accounts | Broader foreign financial assets |
| Due | April 15, automatic to October 15 | With your return, including extensions |
| Who | US persons, including entities | Specified individuals and some entities |
What are the Form 8938 thresholds?
| You are | Year-end value over | Or any time over |
|---|---|---|
| Single, living in the US | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Married filing jointly, in the US | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| Single, living abroad | $200,000 | $300,000 |
| Married filing jointly, abroad | $400,000 | $600,000 |
What counts for the FBAR?
Add up the highest balance of every foreign account during the year. If the total passes $10,000 at any moment, even for a day, you report them all. It covers bank, brokerage and many pension-type accounts. Accounts you've only got signature authority over can count too, so it isn't just about what you own.
Use the Treasury's year-end rate to convert to dollars. A $4,000 savings account and a $7,000 current account means you file, even if neither passes on its own.
What happens if you missed them?
Penalties can be heavy on paper, especially for willful failures, but honest mistakes have options. If you didn't know about the rule and you've reported the income, the IRS has a process for delinquent FBARs. If you've also missed income or returns, the Streamlined procedures may fit. Sort this out before the IRS asks you.
How do you file an FBAR?
Online through the BSA E-Filing System. There's no fee, and you don't attach it to your tax return. Beware of sites charging you to do this without actually helping. You'll need each account's maximum balance, number, and the bank's name and address.
Our US expat service files both alongside your return. For the basics, read our US expat guide.
Sources
- FinCEN: Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
- IRS: Comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements
- IRS: About Form 8938
General information, not tax advice for your situation.
Filing from outside the US?
ITINs, expat returns, non-resident returns and Form 5472.
See our ITIN and cross-border serviceDo I need to file an FBAR if I owe no tax?
Yes. The FBAR is based on account balances, not on tax owed.
Do I file both an FBAR and Form 8938?
You may have to. They're separate requirements with different thresholds, and one doesn't replace the other.
When is the FBAR due?
April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15 and no form needed to get it.
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