Your Company Sent You Abroad. Your U.S. Tax Obligations Don’t Have to Feel Overwhelming.

Yes, Greenback specializes in corporate expat tax preparation with full consideration of employer-provided benefits. We prepare your Form 1040 including all employer housing allowances, tax equalization gross-ups, equity compensation (RSUs, stock options, ESPP), relocation benefits, and cost of living adjustments.

We apply the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to $130,000 for 2025), Foreign Housing Exclusion (base amount $20,800, general cap $39,000, higher for expensive cities), Foreign Tax Credits (Form 1116), and treaty positions (Form 8833) to minimize U.S. tax liability. Most corporate expats in high-tax countries owe little or nothing after these protections are properly applied. Our federal return service starts at $565.

Learn more about our federal tax return preparation services.

Yes, Greenback works with corporate expats who have tax equalization packages. While your employer manages equalization calculations and provides reimbursements or withholdings, we ensure your personal U.S. return properly reports gross-up amounts included in your W-2, housing benefits (whether paid directly or reimbursed), employer tax reimbursements, and ensure alignment between your personal filing and your employer’s equalization methodology.

We coordinate documentation with your employer’s tax team when needed to prevent discrepancies and ensure accurate compliance. This coordination is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Yes, Greenback specializes in helping corporate expats catch up through IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures. Many corporate expats fall behind during assignments due to confusion about employer benefits, treaty provisions, or tax equalization coordination. We prepare the required three years of back returns, file six years of FBARs (foreign accounts often exceed $10,000 during assignments), apply all available exclusions retroactively (FEIE, Foreign Housing Exclusion up to location caps, Foreign Tax Credits), claim treaty benefits where applicable, and help you certify non-willful failure to file.

Most corporate expats face no penalties when properly using Streamlined Procedures, and many owe $0 after exclusions are applied. Our Streamlined Filing Package is $1,750.

Learn more about our Streamlined Filing services.

The Foreign Housing Exclusion allows you to exclude qualifying housing expenses beyond the standard $130,000 FEIE. For 2025, expenses must exceed the base housing amount of $20,800.

The general cap is $39,000, with higher limits for expensive cities (London: $67,000, Tokyo: $77,100, Hong Kong: $114,300, Geneva: $68,400). We calculate your exclusion by determining qualifying housing expenses (rent, utilities, insurance, parking), subtracting the base amount, applying your location’s cap, coordinating with employer-provided amounts or allowances, and ensuring proper documentation for employer-paid vs. employee-paid amounts. This calculation is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Yes, the U.S. has tax treaties with over 60 countries, and many provide specific benefits for corporate employees including reduced withholding rates on dividends/interest/royalties, tie-breaker residency rules when you’re resident of both countries, retirement contribution exemptions (UK pensions, Canadian RRSPs), and specific provisions for equity compensation and relocation benefits.

We identify applicable treaty articles for your assignment country, prepare Form 8833 to disclose treaty-based positions when required, ensure proper reporting of treaty benefits on your Form 1040, and coordinate treaty claims with FEIE and Foreign Tax Credits for maximum benefit. While most U.S. citizens still file U.S. returns due to treaty “saving clauses,” treaties often provide additional tax savings when properly claimed. This is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Employer equity compensation (RSUs, stock options, ESPP) that vests or is exercised during your foreign assignment requires proper income sourcing between U.S. and foreign work periods. We determine the portion of RSU/option income attributable to foreign services (which may qualify for FEIE or FTC), calculate the U.S.-source portion (which doesn’t qualify for FEIE), report vesting/exercise correctly on your W-2 reconciliation, apply proper capital gains treatment when shares are sold, and coordinate with your employer’s grant documentation and vesting schedules.

Proper sourcing can result in significant tax savings through FEIE and FTC application. This is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Our pricing is transparent and flat-fee based. Federal tax return preparation for corporate expats starts at $565, which includes Form 1040, Form 2555 (FEIE), Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit), Form 8833 (treaty positions when applicable), Foreign Housing Exclusion calculations, RSU/stock option sourcing, standard schedules, and up to 20 transactions. FBAR filing starts at $125 for up to 5 accounts. Streamlined Filing Package (3 years returns + 6 years FBARs) is $1,750. Strategic consultations for assignment planning start at $250.

Most corporate expats find our expertise saves more in taxes than our fees cost through proper application of exclusions, housing calculations, and treaty benefits. Use our pricing calculator to get an estimate.

Yes, the U.S. has Totalization Agreements with 30+ countries (UK, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and others) to prevent double Social Security taxation. If you work for a U.S. employer on temporary assignment (typically under 5 years), you usually pay only into U.S. Social Security and receive a Certificate of Coverage.

If your assignment is longer or you work for a foreign employer, you may pay into the host country system. We help you determine which totalization agreement applies, understand whether you’re covered under the agreement based on assignment length and employer, ensure proper Social Security withholding on your W-2, coordinate with your employer’s payroll team if corrections are needed, and obtain Certificates of Coverage when applicable. Proper totalization can save thousands annually in duplicate contributions.

This guidance is included in our federal tax return preparation or available through a strategic consultation.