How Long Does It Take Greenback to Prepare a U.S. Expat Tax Return?

Most U.S. expat tax returns are prepared within 10 to 14 business days from the time your accountant has all the documents and information they need. If your situation is more complex, your assigned accountant will provide a specific timeline up front so you know what to expect.

What can affect the timeline:

• Document completeness: If you’ve uploaded everything your accountant asked for, prep moves faster
• Return complexity: Foreign business reporting (Form 5471/8865), Streamlined catch-up packages, or multi-country income takes longer than a standard W-2 expat return
• Peak season: February through April is busiest; turnaround can be slightly longer than off-peak
• Communication speed: Quick replies to your accountant’s clarifying questions keep things moving

Once your draft is complete, you review it in the portal at your own pace, pay your invoice, and your accountant e-files it. When you’re ready to begin, you can get started and create your account.