While you’re studying abroad, the world as you know it will change; however, the world at home will remain the same. Make sure to take care of your personal business at home. Take care of as much as possible before you leave—you will feel less stressed when you arrive in your host country.
Before You Go Abroad
Designate a family member or trusted friend as your Power of Attorney. Your Power of Attorney is your representative who can handle legal and financial matters on you behalf. Visit Nolo for more information on Power of Attorney
Take care of your financial obligations prior to leaving. If available, opt to receive all financial statements online, it’s easier to manage your accounts this way
Ask the post office to forward your mail to your family’s home or a trusted friend. Visit USPS to learn how to forward your mail
Voting
Do you vote? If you‘re abroad during an election year and want to vote, you can vote by absentee ballot.
Register to vote before you leave
Consult your local election officials to find out what steps you need to take to vote absentee
More than likely, you will also need to have your vote notarized by the U.S. embassy or consular in your host country
Most embassies have a personnel who specialize in absentee voting for U.S. citizens
Once You’re Abroad
Some personal business cannot be arranged before you leave. Taxes come to mind. If you are abroad during the spring semester/quarter, you will be abroad on tax day, April 15th. You have a couple options for filing your taxes:
Ask your Power of Attorney to file your taxes for you. You must send a power of attorney for to the IRS
File for an extension. You must file your extension before the April 15th deadline. Visit the IRS Website to learn more about filing an extension and general information about filing your taxes while your abroad
Note: Consult the IRS or a tax professional for more advice on filing taxes while abroad.
