How Much Does Expat Tax Preparation Cost?
Most Americans abroad pay between $565 and $700 for professional expat tax preparation with flat-fee pricing. That covers your federal return, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555), the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116), and the common schedules expats need.
Compare that to hourly billing: at the industry average of $180 per hour and 15 to 20 hours for a typical expat return, you could easily pay $2,700 to $3,600 for the same work.
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What Does Expat Tax Preparation Actually Cost?
The honest answer: it depends on your situation. But with flat-fee pricing, you know the number before any work begins. Here is how typical expat scenarios break down:
| Your Situation | What You Need | Industry Hourly Rate | Greenback Flat Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee abroad, basic accounts | Form 1040, Form 2555, FBAR | $2,700 to $3,600 | Starting at $565 |
| Self-employed or freelancer | + Schedule C, Schedule SE | $3,600 to $5,400 | Starting at $565 (Schedule C included) |
| Foreign business owner | + Form 5471, FATCA | $4,500 to $7,200+ | Get a custom estimate |
| Behind on multiple years | Streamlined Filing (3 years + 6 FBARs) | $10,000+ | $1,750 flat |
| FBAR only (taxes are current) | FinCEN Form 114 | $300 to $500 | $125 (up to 5 accounts) |
| Need a state return too | State tax return | $200 to $400 per state | See state pricing |
Every Greenback price includes direct, one-on-one access to your accountant, all common forms and schedules, IRS filing, and our Make It Right guarantee. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices.
Get your personalized price estimate
Why Do Expat Taxes Cost More Than Domestic Returns?
You are not overpaying. Expat returns are genuinely more complex than domestic filings. Here is why:
- More forms: A straightforward domestic return might need Form 1040 and a W-2. An expat return typically requires Form 1040, Form 2555 (FEIE), Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit), FBAR, and potentially Form 8938 (FATCA), Form 2555 housing exclusion, Schedule C for self-employment, and state returns for former residences.
- Currency conversions: All foreign income amounts, bank balances, and transactions must be converted to USD using IRS-approved exchange rates. This is tedious, detail-oriented work that general CPAs often get wrong.
- Specialized knowledge: Fewer than 5% of U.S. tax professionals have meaningful experience with expat returns. Your accountant needs to know the FEIE, FTC, tax treaties, PFIC rules, totalization agreements, and the specific tax laws of your host country. A domestic CPA who “also does international” is not the same as a specialist.
- Higher stakes: FBAR penalties alone can reach $16,536 per form for non-willful violations. A missed form or incorrect exclusion can cost you thousands. Professional preparation is not a luxury for expats. It is risk management.
What Is Included in Greenback’s Federal Tax Return Package?
Our Federal Tax Return Preparation starts at $565 and includes everything most expats need:
- Form 1040 (your primary tax return)
- Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) or Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit), whichever saves you more
- Schedules A, B, C, D, and E as needed for your situation
- Schedule SE for self-employment tax
- Up to three Schedule K-1s for partnership income
- Direct access to your dedicated CPA or Enrolled Agent
- IRS e-filing of your completed return
What is not included (and priced separately at flat rates):
- FBAR filing: $125 for up to 5 accounts
- FATCA (Form 8938): Priced separately
- State tax returns: Flat fee per state
- Small business returns: For foreign corporations and partnerships
- Tax consultations: For complex planning questions
Every add-on has a flat fee. You approve the total before we start. No surprises.
Are You Behind on Filing? The Cost to Catch Up Is Lower Than You Think.
If you have not filed U.S. taxes for multiple years, you are not alone, and the cost to get compliant is far less than most people fear.
The IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures let qualifying expats catch up on three years of tax returns and six years of FBARs with no penalties if your failure to file was non-willful. Most expats who catch up through Streamlined Filing discover they owe little or nothing after applying the FEIE and Foreign Tax Credit.
Greenback’s Streamlined Filing Package is $1,750 flat and includes:
- Preparation of 3 years of federal tax returns
- Filing of 6 years of FBARs (up to 5 accounts per form)
- Assistance with Form 14653 (certification of non-willful conduct)
- Direct access to your dedicated accountant
Compare that to the industry alternative: paying an hourly CPA $3,000+ per year for three years, plus FBAR preparation, totaling $10,000 or more.
Learn more about catching up on late taxes
What Makes Greenback Different?
We are not a general CPA firm that “also does expat taxes.” We are an American company founded in 2009 by U.S. expats, for expats. This is all we do.
- Only CPAs and Enrolled Agents: Every return is prepared start-to-finish by a credentialed tax professional. No junior staff, no offshore preparation teams.
- Expats in 14 time zones: Many of our accountants are expats themselves, living abroad and experiencing the same challenges you face. They do not just know the tax code. They know the life.
- 71,000+ returns filed: Across 190+ countries, for 23,000+ clients. We have seen every situation, from a first-year teacher in Thailand to a business owner with entities in five countries.
- 4.9-star rating: Across 1,200+ reviews on TrustPilot. Our clients come back year after year because of the service, not because of a contract.
- Make It Right guarantee: If we make an error, we fix it and cover any IRS penalties or interest resulting from our mistake. That is a real guarantee backed by a real company.
How Does the Process Work?
- Step 1: Get your price estimate. Use our Price Estimate Calculator or contact our Customer Champions to discuss your situation. You will know your flat fee before committing to anything.
- Step 2: Get matched with your accountant. Within one business day of signing up, you are introduced to a dedicated CPA or Enrolled Agent matched to your specific situation (country, income type, complexity).
- Step 3: Upload your documents. Use our secure portal to share your tax documents. Your accountant will tell you exactly what they need. No guessing.
- Step 4: Review and approve. Your accountant prepares your return and walks you through it before filing. You pay only after you have reviewed the completed work.
- Step 5: We file for you. We e-file your return with the IRS, file your FBAR with FinCEN, and handle any state returns. You are done.
The whole process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from document submission to filing, depending on the complexity and how quickly you provide your documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
With Greenback’s flat-fee pricing, most expats pay between $565 and $700 for federal tax return preparation, which includes Form 1040, the FEIE or Foreign Tax Credit, and common schedules. FBAR filing costs $125 per account, up to 5 accounts. State returns are priced separately. Get your personalized estimate.
Greenback’s Streamlined Filing Package is $1,750 flat and includes three years of federal returns, six years of FBARs, and preparation of Form 14653. This compares to $10,000+ with hourly billing from most CPA firms.
You pay after reviewing your completed return, not before. This ensures you are satisfied with the work before any payment is processed.
Yes. We prepare returns for self-employed expats, foreign business owners (Form 5471), PFIC investors, foreign pension holders, cryptocurrency traders, rental property owners, and Americans who need to catch up on multiple years of returns. Every situation gets flat-fee pricing.
You need a specialist. Expat tax law involves the FEIE, FTC, tax treaties, FBAR/FATCA reporting, totalization agreements, PFICs, and foreign pension rules that most domestic CPAs encounter rarely, if ever. A single missed form (like the FBAR) can trigger penalties starting at $16,536. The cost of a specialist is far less than the cost of a mistake.
Yes. All U.S. citizens and green card holders must file a federal return if their worldwide income exceeds the filing threshold ($15,750 for single filers, $31,500 for MFJ for 2025). You must file to claim the FEIE or FTC. Two out of three expats owe $0 after applying these benefits, but you only get them by filing.
Your Next Step
You have two choices: spend weeks trying to figure out expat taxes on your own, or get a flat-fee quote in two minutes and let an expert handle it.
Or, if you prefer to talk to a person first, contact our Customer Champions. They will answer your questions, explain the process, and help you understand exactly what you need. No pressure, no commitment.
If you are ready to be matched with a Greenback accountant today, click the button below.
File Your Expat Taxes With Confidence
Pricing estimates based on typical situations; final pricing will be confirmed before work begins and may vary based on individual complexity. All prices are current as of March 2026.
