US Citizenship Renunciations Near Record High in First Nine Months of 2026

The number of Americans giving up their US citizenship has come close to reaching a record high in the first nine months of this year, with thousands voluntarily renouncing their citizenship or permanent resident status.

According to the latest issue of Newsweek, a total of 4,574 names appeared on the Federal Register's list of individuals who renounced their US citizenship during the first three quarters of 2026, based on data published by the US Treasury Department.

The latest list, released on Thursday, covering the July-September period, included 1,331 names. Before that, 1,462 people renounced their citizenship in the first quarter, while another 1,781 did so in the second quarter.

The figures indicate an unusually high rate of citizenship renunciation compared with previous years.

One of the major reasons behind the trend is the country's complex tax system. According to an analysis by Greenback Expat Tax Services, the annual number of Americans renouncing their citizenship averaged fewer than 500 between 2000 and 2008.

The situation began to change after the US Congress passed the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in 2010. The legislation requires foreign financial institutions to report information about the financial accounts of US citizens living abroad to US authorities, increasing tax-related reporting obligations and compliance requirements.

The US taxation system, which generally requires citizens to report their worldwide income regardless of where they live, has become a major source of frustration for many expatriates.

The law has also created additional challenges for so-called 'accidental Americans' — people born in the United States who have never lived there but acquired US citizenship by birth. For many of them, renouncing citizenship has become an attractive option to sever their legal and financial ties with the country.

Political instability and dissatisfaction with government policies have also contributed to the trend.

According to international legal experts, growing political tensions in the United States have weakened some people's emotional attachment to their country. Discontent with domestic policies and recent political developments has reportedly prompted some Americans to make the final decision to surrender their citizenship.

A reduction in administrative costs has also accelerated the process.

Previously, applicants had to pay $2,350 to renounce their US citizenship. The fee has recently been reduced to just $450. The lower cost has encouraged people who had previously hesitated because of the expense to proceed with their applications.

With tax concerns, political dissatisfaction and lower administrative fees all contributing to the trend, the number of Americans giving up their citizenship could rise further in the coming months.