What Documents Do I Need to Have Ready to File My US Expat Tax Return?

To prepare an accurate and compliant US expat tax return, it’s important to gather a complete set of financial documents, especially if you’re planning to claim exclusions or credits specific to Americans living abroad.

Essential Documents to Gather:

Income Records

• Prior year’s US tax return (if available)
• Wage statements (e.g., W-2, P60, P45, or foreign pay slips)
• Interest and dividend income (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, or local equivalents)
• Capital gains/losses from sale of stocks or securities (1099-B or brokerage reports)
• Real estate sales or purchases and associated closing documents
• Mortgage interest statements (Form 1098 or local equivalent)

Retirement & Social Security

• Distributions from IRAs, pensions, annuities, or profit-sharing plans (Form 1099-R or foreign equivalent)
• Statement of Social Security benefits received (Form SSA-1099)

Other Income

• Records of any self-employment income
• Rental income and related expenses
• Any foreign tax payments (used to calculate the Foreign Tax Credit)
• Documentation of any additional income received during the year

Residency & Travel Documentation

• Travel calendar showing dates inside and outside the US (for the Physical Presence Test)
• Residency permits or foreign ID cards (for the Bona Fide Residence Test)

Learn more about qualifying for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

Tip:

You can upload these documents directly to your secure Greenback Tax Companion account. If you’re unsure whether a document is relevant, it’s better to include it—your accountant will review everything and advise you accordingly.

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