Broker · Switzerland
PostFinance, U.S. citizens & the FBAR
What U.S. citizens need to know about PostFinance accounts — reporting on the FBAR and Form 8938, and the PFIC angle if you invest.
By Danilson Ramos · Founder, Atamatax
Published July 2026 · Updated September 2026
Check it for your own accounts
Do you need to file an FBAR?
Three questions, no balances typed, no email. The read explains the aggregate rule — the part most people get wrong — and what would settle the rest.
Free, no account, nothing you answer leaves this page. Open the full FBAR / Form 8938 checker
A threshold screen, not a filing determination. Three answers cannot establish whether a specific account is reportable; the full checker and the account's own terms can.
PostFinance is one of Switzerland's most widely held accounts. For U.S. citizens the key issues are reporting (FBAR and Form 8938) and, if you invest, PFICs.
Does PostFinance accept U.S. citizens?
PostFinance is generally reluctant to take on U.S.-citizen investment clients; a basic account may be possible while investment services often are not. (This is the widely reported experience — confirm your own situation with PostFinance.) Whatever the arrangement, the account is reportable.
Reporting your PostFinance account
- FBAR (FinCEN 114): required when your combined non-U.S. accounts exceed $10,000 at any point in the year.
- Form 8938 (FATCA): abroad thresholds are higher — more than $200,000 end-of-year / $300,000 any time (single), or $400,000 / $600,000 married filing jointly.
If you do hold PostFinance funds
A conventional non-U.S. pooled fund commonly meets a PFIC test and can require Form 8621 analysis. A U.S.-organized fund cannot be a PFIC—but Swiss/EU institutions may rarely offer those funds to retail clients. Confirm the specific vehicle and reporting triggers.
See what you have to report
Check whether you cross the FBAR and Form 8938 thresholds — then check any funds for PFICs. This is general information, not individualised tax advice.
Authorities cited
- FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) — Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
- 31 CFR §1010.350 — 31 CFR §1010.350 — FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) filing requirement and $10,000 threshold
- IRS Form 8938 — About Form 8938 — Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets
- IRC §6038D — IRC §6038D — Information reporting of specified foreign financial assets (Form 8938)
- IRS Form 8621 — About Form 8621 — Information Return by a Shareholder of a PFIC or QEF
- IRC §1297 — IRC §1297 — Definition of a passive foreign investment company
Primary sources (Cornell Legal Information Institute for the US Code and CFR; IRS.gov for forms, procedures, and treaty documents). This page is general information, not individualized tax or legal advice.
Atamatax provides tax preparation support and educational resources. This website does not constitute legal or tax advice.