U.S. Citizenship Renunciations Reach Six-Year High

The number of Americans renouncing their citizenship and long-term residents ending their U.S. tax residency has reached its highest level in six years. An analysis of Federal Register data by Greenback Expat Tax Services found that 5,790 individuals appeared on the expatriation list over the past four quarters.

A significant surge occurred between April and June, with 1,781 names recorded, representing a 68.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This spike follows a decision by the United States Department of State on April 13 to reduce the renunciation fee by 80%, lowering the cost from $2,350 to $450.

Drivers for the trend include political dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and his policies, alongside financial pressures from the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2010. This law requires foreign financial institutions to report assets held by U.S. taxpayers, which often results in double taxation for expatriates. To complete the process, individuals must appear before a U.S. diplomatic officer, though the action can lead to statelessness or entry bars if authorities determine the move was intended for tax avoidance.