You’re in the U.S. on a Visa or Green Card. Your Tax Filing Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing.

Yes, Greenback specializes in dual status tax return preparation for foreign nationals in their first year in the U.S. We determine if you need a dual status return by calculating the substantial presence test (which counts your days in the U.S. over a three-year period using a weighted formula), identifying your residency start date (the first day you meet substantial presence or your Green Card receipt date), and determining which form is your primary return based on your December 31 status.

We then prepare the complete dual status return including Form 1040 for your resident portion, Form 1040-NR for your nonresident portion, proper income allocation between the two periods, and a dual status statement explaining the split. Since dual status returns cannot be e-filed, we ensure paper filing is done correctly. Our dual status return preparation is $875. Learn more about our dual status filing services.

Yes, Green Card holders become U.S. residents for tax purposes from the date you receive your card, triggering worldwide income reporting requirements. We prepare your Form 1040 including all foreign employment income, rental properties in your home country, foreign investment income, foreign pensions, and foreign business ownership.

We also help you understand and file FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) if your foreign accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the year, prepare Form 8938 (FATCA) for foreign financial assets if you exceed the thresholds ($400,000/$600,000 for taxpayers abroad, $50,000/$75,000 for U.S. residents), and claim Foreign Tax Credits to prevent double taxation on income already taxed in your home country.

Most Green Card holders owe little or nothing after Foreign Tax Credits are properly applied. Our federal return preparation starts at $565, and FBAR filing starts at $125 for up to 5 accounts. Learn more about our federal tax return preparation and FBAR filing services.

Yes, the U.S. has income tax treaties with over 60 countries that can significantly reduce your U.S. tax burden. Common treaty benefits include student and researcher income exclusions (often up to $5,000 or more depending on the treaty), reduced withholding rates on dividends, interest, and royalties (often 15% instead of 30%), income exemptions for teachers, professors, and specific professions, and tie-breaker provisions if you’re considered a resident of both countries.

We identify which treaty articles apply to your specific situation, prepare Form 8833 (Treaty-Based Return Position Disclosure) to claim the benefits correctly, calculate the treaty benefit amount and ensure proper documentation, and coordinate treaty benefits with your other tax positions to maximize savings.

Treaty benefits can save thousands in U.S. taxes when properly claimed. This is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Yes, Greenback specializes in stock compensation reporting for H-1B and other work visa holders. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are taxed as ordinary income when they vest (not when granted), with the fair market value on vesting date included in your W-2. Stock options have different treatment: Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) have no ordinary income at exercise but may trigger Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), while Non-Qualified Stock Options (NSOs) are taxed as ordinary income on the spread at exercise. When you sell shares, capital gains tax applies on the difference between sale price and your cost basis.

We handle complete stock compensation reporting including vesting date fair market value calculations, proper basis tracking from vesting through sale, AMT calculations for ISO exercises, coordination with your W-2 to avoid double taxation, and capital gains reporting when shares are sold. Proper reporting prevents overpayment and IRS notices. This is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Yes, we prepare amended tax returns to correct filing errors common among foreign nationals. If you filed as a full-year resident (Form 1040) when you should have filed dual status, used Form 1040-NR when you should have filed Form 1040 (or vice versa), missed claiming treaty benefits worth thousands, or didn’t report stock compensation correctly, we file Form 1040-X (or Form 1040-X NR for nonresidents) to recalculate your tax liability with proper status and form, claim refunds for overpayment, and correct your filing position with the IRS.

Many foreign nationals discover their dual status requirement late or receive incorrect advice from tax software. Correcting these errors often results in significant refunds. Our amended return preparation is $565. Learn more about our amended return services.

Your filing status likely changes from nonresident alien to resident alien, either in the year you receive the H-1B or soon after depending on the substantial presence test. F-1 students are exempt from substantial presence for their first five calendar years, but H-1B holders count toward substantial presence from day one.

This transition triggers major reporting changes including FBAR filing requirements if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000, Form 8938 (FATCA) for foreign financial assets above applicable thresholds, worldwide income reporting (not just U.S.-source income), access to standard deduction ($14,600 for single filers in 2025, $29,200 for married filing jointly), loss of treaty benefits that only apply to nonresidents, and different tax rates and brackets.

Greenback guides you through this transition, determines your exact residency start date, files the correct forms for your status, and ensures you’re positioned correctly for ongoing compliance. This is included in our federal tax return preparation.

Our pricing is transparent and flat-fee based. Dual status tax return preparation (Form 1040 + Form 1040-NR with dual status statement) is $875. Standard federal tax return preparation for resident aliens (Form 1040) starts at $565, which includes stock compensation reporting (RSUs, options), treaty benefit claims (Form 8833), and standard schedules. FBAR filing for foreign bank accounts starts at $125 for up to 5 accounts.

Amended returns to correct filing errors are $565. If you’ve missed filing requirements entirely, our Streamlined Filing Package (3 years of returns + 6 years of FBARs) is $1,750. Strategic tax consultations for complex situations start at $250 for 30 minutes.

Most clients find our expertise saves far more than our fees cost through proper status determination, treaty optimization, and avoiding IRS penalties for incorrect filing. Use our pricing calculator to get an estimate.

Yes, many visa holders don’t realize their U.S. filing requirements until years later. Greenback helps you catch up through IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures, which often eliminate penalties entirely for non-willful failures to file. Common reasons foreign nationals fall behind include confusion about resident vs. nonresident status (many assume nonresidents don’t need to file, which is incorrect), receiving incorrect advice from friends or non-expert tax preparers, not realizing Green Card holders must report worldwide income, or not understanding dual status filing requirements in their first year. We prepare the required 3 years of delinquent tax returns, file 6 years of FBARs for foreign accounts, complete Form 14653 certifying non-willful failure to file, apply all available treaty benefits and deductions retroactively, and help you become compliant with peace of mind.

Most clients using Streamlined Procedures face no penalties and many owe $0 after proper status determination and treaty benefits are applied. Our flat-fee Streamlined Filing Package is $1,750. The sooner you catch up, the better—waiting increases risk of IRS discovery and potential penalties. Learn more about our Streamlined Filing services.