Renouncing U.S. Citizenship as an Expat the Right Way with Alexander Marino (Part 1)

Taxbytes for Expats

If you’re a US citizen or green card holder living abroad (particularly here in Ireland) you’ve probably wondered at some point if keeping that US status is worth the hassle.

In this episode, I’m joined by Alexander Marino, Director of US Tax Law at Moodys Tax and one of the world’s leading experts on US expatriation. His team works with clients across six continents to navigate the legal and tax complexities of renouncing US citizenship or terminating long-term green card status.

We dig into why more expats are choosing to renounce, what really drives the decision (it’s not just politics!) and how US tax obligations can quietly snowball into a long-term financial and emotional burden. Alex walks us through the real risks and makes the case for getting clear, strategic advice if you’re considering this path.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Alexander Marino. Subscribe to make sure you get Part 2 next time.

Main Topics discussed in this Episode:

1. Why Expats Are Renouncing US Citizenship: Alex shares the key reasons people take this step, from sky-high compliance costs to the frustration of being taxed by two countries on the same income.
2. The Emotional and Financial Decision-Making Process: This comes up a lot with clients: the emotional attachment to US citizenship can cloud what’s otherwise a straightforward financial decision.
3. The Hidden Tax Pitfalls for US Expats Abroad: Alex outlines the tax landmines US citizens often don’t see coming when they live overseas, especially in high-tax jurisdictions like Ireland.
4. What It Really Means to Renounce—And Do It Right: Alex explains that renouncing properly isn’t just handing over a passport.
5. Timelines, Triggers, and Taking Action: We cover when to start the process, what triggers might make it urgent (like selling a property), and why wait times at embassies can be longer than you think.

Get in touch with Alex :

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://moodysprivateclient.com/team/marino-alexander/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-marino-45a76b26/

*****

If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/services-and-pricing/.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out ExpatTaxes.ie to get your Tax sorted!

Special Offer from our Trusted Partner, Currencies Direct

This episode is brought to you by Currencies Direct, our trusted currency exchange partner when transferring currency to or from Ireland. Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct.

Click here for Currencies Direct Special Offer