U.S. Expat Tax Services

Comprehensive Expat Tax Preparation

Federal Tax Return

All expats who meet the minimum requirements for their filing status and age are required to file a federal tax return.

State Tax Return

Not all states require that expats file a return, but if yours does, we can help you prepare and file your state return.

Form 5471

Certain U.S. taxpayers who own shares in or hold positions with foreign corporations must file Form 5471 to report information about those businesses.

Self-Employed Tax Returns

The regular income threshold does not apply to the self-employed, who are required to file a tax return if earnings are $400 or more.

FATCA Reporting

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires certain U.S. taxpayers to report specified foreign financial assets on Form 8938 when their value exceeds applicable thresholds.

FBAR

The Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) is required for individuals with foreign bank accounts that exceed $10,000 at any time during the year.

Streamlined Procedure

This process gets you caught up — with as little stress as possible — when you're at least three years behind on your tax returns.

Individual Consulting

Let our CPAs provide expert tax advice via telephone to help you plan for the future and minimize your tax burden.

Form 1040NR

Form 1040-NR collects income tax from individuals who live or work in the U.S. for a significant part of the year, yet who do not possess a green card or U.S. citizenship. If you earn income in the U.S. and meet one of two “days of presence” tests, then you may be required to file this form.

Knowing your tax filing requirements

U.S. citizens living abroad are required to file annual U.S. tax returns and report their worldwide income if they meet the minimum filing requirements. Did you know that, as an expatriate with a tax home in a foreign country, you may be eligible to exclude a portion of your foreign earned income from your U.S. taxes? Are you also aware that you may be able to deduct part of your qualifying housing cost and receive a credit for income taxes paid to a foreign government?

There are a number of other considerations that can affect whether or not you are required to file a return. These include your age, annual worldwide income and filing status. Your worldwide income includes everything you made in the past year from U.S. as well as non-U.S. sources, before taxes and after deductions. Many expats don’t know they only need to file U.S. taxes if their worldwide gross income is above a minimum threshold, which changes each year due to inflation and other shifts in the global economy. Even if you are not required to file, you may be eligible for certain tax refunds, so you should always know exactly where you stand. Filing requirements for each specific form/report are detailed on the pages listed above.

Now you know that you have to file U.S. taxes living abroad, but do you know the ins and out of filing an expat tax return from abroad? Most expatriates do not. It’s complicated — as you can tell from the above rules — which is why you need assistance from a reputable firm like ours that specializes in expat tax services.

Your partner for American expat tax services

You understand that you’re required to file taxes and that the IRS expat regulations are detailed and may making filing difficult. Who can you trust for expat tax preparation? May we suggest Expat CPA?

Because we focus exclusively on filing U.S. taxes from abroad, our expert, knowledgeable CPAs are wholly dedicated to serving the American expatriate community. If you still don’t know your qualifications, you can take advantage of our expat tax consulting service. We make it a point to keep up-to-date on all the latest IRS rules and regulations for international tax filing, and we have been working with expats living in nearly every country around the globe since 1994. Whether your tax situation is simple or complex, Expat CPA provides knowledgeable guidance to help you file confidently from abroad.

How our U.S. tax preparation process works

Filing U.S. taxes while living overseas doesn’t have to be complicated. At Expat CPA, we’ve developed a convenient online process that allows you to complete your tax return from virtually anywhere in the world.

Here’s how our tax preparation process works:

  1. Request a quote: Complete our short online form with information about your tax situation.
  2. Receive your questionnaire: We’ll provide our U.S. Expatriate Tax Questionnaire and instructions for accessing our secure client portal.
  3. Speak with a tax professional: Schedule a 30-minute phone consultation to discuss your circumstances and clarify questions. The $50 consultation fee serves as a deposit toward future services.
  4. Upload your documents: Submit your completed questionnaire, income statements, and other supporting documents through our secure portal. You’ll receive confirmation when we receive your information.
  5. Approve your engagement: Review and sign our online engagement letter so our team can begin preparing your return.
  6. Review and file your return: After preparation and payment, you’ll receive a password-protected PDF for review. A licensed CPA then completes the final review, signs your return, and electronically files it with the IRS at no additional charge.

Our streamlined process makes professional expat tax preparation accessible, secure, and convenient, wherever you live.

Frequently asked questions about U.S. taxes for expats

Do I have to file U.S. taxes if I live abroad?

Generally, U.S. citizens and resident aliens must file federal tax returns when their worldwide income meets applicable filing thresholds, even if they live overseas. Foreign tax credits and exclusions may reduce the amount owed.

What income triggers a U.S. tax filing requirement?

Filing requirements depend on income, age, and filing status. Self-employed individuals generally must file if they earn at least $400 in net self-employment income, even when their total income falls below standard filing thresholds.

How do expats do their taxes?

American expats generally file U.S. federal income tax returns using Form 1040, reporting their worldwide income. Depending on their circumstances, they may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or Foreign Tax Credit to reduce double taxation.

At Expat CPA, our online tax preparation process makes filing convenient from anywhere in the world. Simply request a quote, complete our tax questionnaire, and securely upload your documents. Our tax professionals prepare your return, and a licensed CPA conducts a final review before electronic filing with the IRS.

How much does it cost to file expat taxes?

The cost of filing U.S. taxes while living abroad depends on your income sources, filing requirements, and the complexity of your financial situation. At Expat CPA, our straightforward pricing includes flat fees for basic federal and state tax returns, with additional charges for required forms.

Get started with Expat CPA today

Filing U.S. taxes while living abroad doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re preparing your annual tax return, catching up on missed filings, or navigating complex international tax requirements, Expat CPA is here to help.

 

Contact us today and simplify your U.S. tax filing process.