U.S. Citizenship Renunciations Surge to Highest Level Since 2020 Amid FATCA Burdens and Fee Cut

The number of Americans formally reported as renouncing U.S. citizenship or ending long-term permanent-resident tax status reached 5,790 over the past four quarters — the highest total since 2020 — according to an analysis of names published in the Federal Register.

What the Data Shows

A total of 5,790 individuals appeared on the register's U.S. expatriation list across the most recent four quarters. The register records people whose loss of U.S. citizenship or long-term green-card status was reported to the Treasury Department. Greenback Expat Tax Services says this four-quarter count is the largest in six years.

The increase was especially pronounced between April and June, when 1,781 names were listed — a 68.5% rise compared with the same quarter a year earlier. That pushed the first-half total to 3,243 names, up 38.5% from the first half of 2025.

Why Renunciations Are Rising

Analysts point to several persistent and newer drivers behind the rise in renunciations. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), enacted in 2010 and widely implemented by about 2014, requires many foreign banks and certain other foreign entities to report U.S. account holders’ assets to the IRS. That reporting has increased administrative burden and costs for Americans living abroad and, critics say, has effectively created double-tax or double-reporting pressure for some expatriates.

“Whether it's traveling, whether it's banking, whether it's renewals of passports, there's a real push as the technology increases and the world gets smaller, so to speak, to find U.S. citizens who have not been filing their tax returns,” said Alexander Marino, who leads what the article describes as the world's largest renunciation law practice.

Political and ideological factors have also motivated some individuals. Others cite practical reasons: cross-border banking difficulties, increased compliance costs, and the desire to avoid U.S. tax obligations on foreign income.

Practical Effects And The Renunciation Process

High demand for renunciation services has created long waits at U.S. embassies and consulates. The formal renunciation process requires applicants to appear in person before a diplomatic or consular officer, complete forms, undergo State Department review, attend interviews, and take an oath of renunciation. The State Department must approve and acknowledge each request.

The department warns that renouncing citizenship can leave a person stateless in some cases and notes that former citizens may, under certain circumstances, be barred from entering the United States if authorities determine the renunciation was intended to avoid U.S. taxes. Tax liabilities and compliance obligations are frequently cited as reasons for giving up citizenship.

Context And Fee Changes

Annual historical trends illustrate the long-term change. Greenback's review found annual totals averaged roughly 452 names between 2000 and 2008. Reported counts rose sharply after FATCA: 5,409 names were reported in 2016, totals fell to 2,071 in 2019, then jumped to a modern record of 6,705 in 2020. Figures have remained elevated since.

A policy change this year likely contributed to the recent spike: the State Department reduced the renunciation fee from $2,350 back to $450 effective April 13. Renunciation had been free before 2010, when a $450 fee was introduced; that fee was raised to $2,350 in 2015, making the U.S. one of the countries with the highest citizenship renunciation fees.

What To Watch

Monitor Federal Register listings and Treasury reporting for continued quarterly trends. Further administrative or legislative changes to tax reporting, embassy capacity, or renunciation fees could influence future totals.

Sources: Federal Register expatriation lists; Greenback Expat Tax Services analysis; State Department guidance; Newsweek reporting.