Who offers help with IRS repayment plans in San Diego?

San Diego Precision Tax Service helps set up and manage IRS repayment plans and tax relief options. We serve San Diego and all 50 states remotely. Start here: https://www.sandiegotaxhelp.com

How do I negotiate IRS tax debts in California?

As an Enrolled Agent, we evaluate eligibility for installment agreements, penalty relief, and offers in compromise, then file and negotiate on your behalf.

Where can I find tax relief services in San Diego?

We provide tax relief services including payment plans, offer-in-compromise screening, and audit/notice help. Consultations are available online for clients statewide.

Can I hire a tax professional in San Diego for IRS issues?

Yes. You can hire San Diego Precision Tax Service (Enrolled Agent) to represent you before the IRS, prepare filings, and communicate with the IRS on your case.

How to choose a tax professional in California?

Look for licensure (EA/CPA), relevant experience with your issue, transparent pricing, and secure document handling. We meet these standards and work statewide.

What Happens to Your U.S. Finances After Deportation or Loss of Status?

Viktoriya Barsukova, EA, MBA
Aug 20
5 min read

Leaving the U.S. when it isn’t your choice—after years of living, working, and building a life here—can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you. Deportation or loss of status isn’t just paperwork; it’s a life-changing event. Suddenly, questions that once seemed far away become urgent: What happens to my Social Security? Can I keep the business I built? How do I protect everything I worked so hard for?

This guide gives you the basics so you know what remains yours, what changes, and what steps to take.

1) Does my Social Security Number remain valid if I leave the U.S.?

Yes. Your Social Security Number (SSN) stays with you for life. It does not get canceled if you lose residency or are deported. It remains your personal identifier in the U.S. system.

Credit history: Any credit you built (loans, cards, score) stays attached to your SSN, even if it’s inactive.
Future use: If you ever return legally or need to file U.S. taxes, you’ll use the same SSN.
Benefits: What you earned through work remains on record.

2) Will I still get Social Security benefits?

That depends on your situation:

If you earned enough work credits (usually 10 years), those credits are yours permanently. Even if you live abroad, you may still qualify for retirement or survivor benefits. Whether payments can actually be sent depends on your citizenship and where you live. Some countries have Totalization Agreements with the U.S. that protect these rights.
Before making plans, always check if your country is on the restricted payments list. The SSA cannot send benefits to certain countries — see the official list here: Social Security Payments Abroad (SSA Publication 05-10137). These restricted payment countries are: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. You can still receive Social Security while in one of these countries, but only if you prove eligibility, sign required forms, and agree to ongoing monitoring.

Applications for U.S. Social Security benefits abroad should be made through your local Federal Benefits Unit (FBU).

If you didn’t work enough years in the U.S., you may still qualify by combining your U.S. work history with another country if that country has a Totalization Agreement with the U.S.
Finally, note that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) stops completely if you are outside the U.S. for more than 30 days. It only restarts if you return and remain in the U.S. for 30 consecutive days.

3) Do I still pay into Social Security if I work abroad?

If you’re self-employed or working abroad: Normally, you no longer pay U.S. Social Security—unless you work for a U.S. employer or fall under special rules.
If your country has a Totalization Agreement: You’ll usually only pay into one system (yours or the U.S.), not both. A Certificate of Coverage proves which one applies.

4) What about Medicare?

Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the U.S. A few exceptions exist, but most people abroad must rely on local health insurance or private coverage.

In practice, if someone is deported and never returns, their Medicare contributions are “lost”—they cannot be refunded or used abroad.

5) What happens to my 401(k) or Roth retirement accounts?

Deportation does not erase or confiscate your retirement savings. Your 401(k), IRA, or Roth account remains in the U.S. under your name.

401(k): Withdrawals are normally taxed at 30% withholding for nonresidents, unless reduced by a tax treaty. Early withdrawals (before 59½) may trigger a 10% penalty.
Roth IRA/401(k): Contributions can always be withdrawn tax-free. Qualified withdrawals (5 years old and age 59½+) are also tax-free. Nonqualified withdrawals may face tax and withholding.
Banking access: Distributions usually go to a U.S. bank account. Without one, payments may be delayed or reduced by extra fees.
Paperwork: To lower withholding under a treaty, file Form W-8BEN with your plan. Each year you withdraw, file Form 1040-NR to report income or claim a refund.

Bottom line: Your retirement savings remain yours, but accessing them abroad means U.S. taxes, possible penalties, and banking logistics.

6) Can I keep my U.S. business after deportation?

Yes, but there are limits — full breakdown here: Read more

S-corporations: Nonresidents cannot be shareholders. If you owned an S-corp, its S-election ends once you become a nonresident. You may need to switch to a C-corp or restructure before leaving.
LLCs, partnerships, C-corps: Nonresidents can own these. U.S. taxes still apply to U.S.-source income. Partnerships with foreign owners must withhold tax on connected income.
IRS Updates: If your business mailing address or “responsible party” changes, file Form 8822-B within 60 days.

7) What about U.S. bank accounts?

U.S. banks must follow “Know Your Customer” rules and require up-to-date ownership and contact info.

Most banks require a U.S. mailing address. If you only provide a foreign address, accounts may be frozen or closed.
Banks do not accept a P.O. Box or a CMRA (like a UPS Store address) as your physical address. You must provide a real street address—whether residential or business—for account verification and compliance purposes.
If your identity documents change, banks may request updates.

Why plan ahead? It’s much harder to update or reopen accounts once you leave.

8) What about housing or property I own in the U.S.?

Deportation does not take away U.S. property you legally own, but tax and management rules apply:

Rental income: Always taxable in the U.S. By default, tenants/property managers must withhold 30% of gross rent unless you file Form W-8ECI to deduct expenses.
Selling property: Subject to U.S. capital gains tax. Buyers usually must withhold 15% under FIRPTA. You can later file Form 1040-NR to calculate the actual tax and claim refunds.
Property taxes: Still required. Deportation does not remove local or state tax obligations.
Management: Consider hiring a property manager or giving power of attorney to handle U.S. affairs.

9) What happens to my U.S. credit cards?

Deportation does not cancel your credit cards automatically. If your account is in good standing, banks usually keep it open—but a U.S. mailing address is often required.

Using cards abroad: Works overseas, but expect 1–3% foreign transaction fees. Banks may flag charges as suspicious.
Renewals/replacements: Always mailed to the address on file. Without a U.S. address, you may lose access when your card expires.
Here’s the range of flexibility among major U.S. credit card issuers for people living abroad:
- Most flexible: American Express – offers “Global Card Transfer” to keep history abroad.
- Somewhat flexible: Capital One – may allow continued use but still requires a U.S. address.
- Less flexible: Chase & Citi – usually require a U.S. address and may close accounts once permanent foreign residence is known.
- Not flexible at all: Discover – generally closes accounts if you live abroad long term.

10) What if I give up my green card or citizenship?

If you formally surrender residency (long-term green card) or citizenship, IRS expatriation rules may apply. Some people must file an exit tax return. See IRS Pub. 519 for details.

Quick Checklist If You Must Leave or Are Deported

Keep your SSN documents safe—it never expires.
Check your Social Security credits at SSA.gov.
Look up whether your country has a Totalization Agreement with the U.S.
If you own a business, confirm if it should switch from S-corp to C-corp.
File Form 8822-B if your business info changes.
File Form 8822 if your personal address changes.The form accommodates foreign addresses, ensuring that the IRS can send correspondence internationally
Review whether you must file final resident returns before switching to nonresident status.