How do I report a joint en/of account with my Dutch spouse on the FBAR?
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Short answer
Report the full highest balance of the en/of account on your own FBAR, and enter your Dutch spouse as the principal joint owner.Source 1
Each joint owner reports the entire value, not a half share. If your spouse is not a U.S. person, your spouse has no FBAR to file.Source 1Source 2
Never divide a joint account's balance by two on the FBAR.
How the joint-account rules apply
What you enter
- You report the account in Part III, the joint-account part, at its full maximum value.Source 1Source 3
- The number of joint owners excludes you. With only your spouse on the account, enter 1.Source 1
- Your spouse is the principal joint owner. Enter their name and address, and a tax number if they have one; a foreign number such as a Dutch BSN is accepted.Source 1
- A spouse living abroad without a U.S. mailing address gives their foreign address.Source 1
What does not apply
- A spouse who is not a U.S. citizen, green card holder or U.S. resident files no FBAR.Source 2Source 4
- Form 114a is not needed with a non-U.S. spouse. It is for two spouses who both have to file and choose to file one report.Source 5
- Accounts in your spouse's name alone are not on your FBAR unless you can move money from them.Source 2
If you are both Americans
Spouses who are both U.S. persons can file one FBAR only if every reportable account of the non-filing spouse is held jointly with the filing spouse. Both then sign Form 114a and keep it; it is not sent to FinCEN.Source 5Source 6
If either spouse has a separate account, such as a savings account in one name, each spouse files their own FBAR. Each then reports the full value of the joint accounts.Source 5
Example
Example
Jake and Marieke in Leiden
Jake is a U.S. citizen; his wife Marieke is Dutch only. Their Rabobank en/of account peaked at €38,500 in August, after they sold a car and before they paid a renovation invoice.Source 7
Jake reports the account in Part III at the full €38,500, converted at the December 31 Treasury rate. He lists Marieke as principal joint owner with her BSN and their Leiden address. Marieke files nothing.Source 1Source 7
Common mistake
Reporting half the balance because the money is shared. FinCEN requires each joint owner to report the account's entire value.Source 1
More on this question
Does my Dutch spouse have to give a U.S. tax number?
No. Your spouse needs no U.S. number for your FBAR. The principal joint owner's tax number can be a foreign number.Source 1
We are both Americans with only joint Dutch accounts. One FBAR or two?
My Dutch spouse has a separate savings account. Do I report it?
No, if you cannot move money from it. It is your spouse's account, and a non-U.S. spouse has no FBAR.Source 2
Related questions
Full rules and more examples: Joint accounts, spouses and children
Sources
Official sources used for this page.
Source 1: FinCEN, Reporting Jointly Held Accounts (opens in a new tab)
Part III instructions, full account values, joint owner count, principal joint owner identity and blank items.
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Source 2: eCFR, 31 CFR § 1010.350 — Reports of foreign financial accounts (opens in a new tab)
Who has a reportable financial interest in accounts, the rule for owners of record and the definition of signature authority.
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Source 3: FinCEN, BSA Electronic Filing Requirements for FinCEN Form 114 (line item instructions) (opens in a new tab)
Form fields, record retention, identification without a U.S. TIN and amendment fields.
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Source 4: FinCEN, Who is a United States person? (opens in a new tab)
Citizens, residents and U.S. entities, including disregarded entities.
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Source 5: FinCEN, Filing for Spouse (opens in a new tab)
Three conditions for reporting jointly owned accounts on one spouse's FBAR and use of Form 114a.
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Source 6: FinCEN, Form 114a — Record of Authorization to Electronically File FBARs (opens in a new tab)
Authorization and recordkeeping for spousal or third-party electronic filings.
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Source 7: FinCEN, Reporting Maximum Account Value (opens in a new tab)
Maximum account value for cash and nonmonetary assets, account-by-account values and currency conversion, including another verifiable rate with its source.
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