Who We Help Tax Help for Retirees Abroad

Tax Help for Self-Employed Expats

You Retired Abroad. We Handle the U.S. Taxes.

For Americans retired or retiring outside the U.S. Social Security, pensions, and retirement withdrawals change how your income shows up, but most retirees owe little or nothing, and filing it right is what we handle for you.
Retired couple holding hands on a plaza abroad in front of a red brick triumphal arch.

We Know What Changes When You Retire Abroad.

You Assumed Retirement Would Simplify Filing

You stopped working and aren’t sure U.S. filing still applies now that your income is all from retirement.

You expected things to get simpler, but retirement income and foreign accounts can be just as involved.

Your Income Now Comes From Many Sources

Social Security, a pension, annuities, and IRA or 401(k) withdrawals, each taxed in its own way.

You want to know what the U.S. taxes and what your country of residence taxes.

You're Worried About Being Taxed Twice

You already pay tax where you live and don’t want the same pension or income taxed again by the U.S.

You want to know whether tax treaties or the Foreign Tax Credit settle it in your favor.

You Have a Few Loose Ends to Tie Up

Savings moved into local or joint accounts with a non-U.S. spouse can bring FBAR and FATCA into play.

If a few years went unfiled after you retired, there’s usually a penalty-free way to catch up.

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Tax Resources for Retirees Abroad

Greenback maintains a comprehensive library of guides covering nearly every tax question a retiree living abroad faces. Here are the resources our clients reach for most as they get oriented.

How the U.S. Taxes Your Retirement Income Abroad

Social Security, pensions, annuities, and IRA or 401(k) withdrawals do not all follow the same rules overseas. Our guide to retirement accounts abroad explains how each type of income is treated by the U.S. and what most often trips up retirees.

When Retirees Abroad Still Need to File a U.S. Return

U.S. citizens are taxed on citizenship, not employment, so filing can continue in retirement even when little or no tax is owed. Our guide to retiring abroad walks through when a U.S. return is still required and the common exceptions retirees run into.

How Social Security Is Taxed When You Live Abroad

Social Security is U.S.-source income, and up to 85% can be taxable, though the Foreign Tax Credit and some tax treaties can reduce or remove that. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion does not apply to it. Our guide to Social Security for expats breaks down what retirees should know.

Which Foreign Accounts a Retiree Must Report

Once your foreign accounts top $10,000 combined at any point in a year, an FBAR is due, and joint accounts held with a non-U.S. spouse count toward that total. Our guide to FBAR reporting explains which accounts to report and how the thresholds work later in life.

How Treaties and Credits Prevent Double Taxation

Paying tax in two countries is the worry we hear most from retirees. Our guide to U.S. tax treaties explains how a treaty decides which country taxes what, and our guide to foreign pensions and U.S. tax covers how that works out for the pension income you receive overseas.

How Retirees Resolve Filing Gaps From Past Years

Many retirees find a gap only after moving abroad or simplifying their finances. Our guide to Streamlined Filing explains the catch-up paths and why these situations are usually resolvable, often penalty-free, when they are handled carefully.

How the U.S. Taxes Your Retirement Income Abroad

Social Security, pensions, annuities, and IRA or 401(k) withdrawals do not all follow the same rules overseas. Our guide to retirement accounts abroad explains how each type of income is treated by the U.S. and what most often trips up retirees.

When Retirees Abroad Still Need to File a U.S. Return

U.S. citizens are taxed on citizenship, not employment, so filing can continue in retirement even when little or no tax is owed. Our guide to retiring abroad walks through when a U.S. return is still required and the common exceptions retirees run into.

How Social Security Is Taxed When You Live Abroad

Social Security is U.S.-source income, and up to 85% can be taxable, though the Foreign Tax Credit and some tax treaties can reduce or remove that. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion does not apply to it. Our guide to Social Security for expats breaks down what retirees should know.

Which Foreign Accounts a Retiree Must Report

Once your foreign accounts top $10,000 combined at any point in a year, an FBAR is due, and joint accounts held with a non-U.S. spouse count toward that total. Our guide to FBAR reporting explains which accounts to report and how the thresholds work later in life.

How Treaties and Credits Prevent Double Taxation

Paying tax in two countries is the worry we hear most from retirees. Our guide to U.S. tax treaties explains how a treaty decides which country taxes what, and our guide to foreign pensions and U.S. tax covers how that works out for the pension income you receive overseas.

How Retirees Resolve Filing Gaps From Past Years

Many retirees find a gap only after moving abroad or simplifying their finances. Our guide to Streamlined Filing explains the catch-up paths and why these situations are usually resolvable, often penalty-free, when they are handled carefully.

Retired couple paddling a canoe on a calm lake edged with conifer forest.

What Retirees Abroad Say About Working With Us

Rated 4.8/5 by retirees who know their pension is reported right.

Trustpilot

“Just arrived in Spain with a retiree visa seven months ago … Certainly didn’t need the additional stresses of pending taxes for U.S. side and Spain. Greenback and my accountant were extremely professional and reliable in processing my papers. Stellar.”

A. Gonzalez Spain

“I have used Greenback for many years. I am a long-term American expat now retired in England … I value the peace of mind of a return done professionally and on time. Greenback delivers that reliability.”

Jerry P. United Kingdom

“I worked overseas for 37 years, then recently retired abroad and needed help, since I had not prepared a tax return in nearly 40 years. The service was professional and fast, and I will use them again next year to be sure everything is prepared quickly and accurately.”

Mark M. Cambodia

“We always filed our expat taxes from the UK ourselves until retirement, but pension filing made no sense to us. My accountant sorted it out. Communication was fantastic, always a response within hours. We will definitely file with Greenback again.”

Mrs P. United Kingdom
Trustpilot

Services for Retirees Abroad

Retirement Income Annual Filing

USD $565

For retirees filing their yearly U.S. return. We report Social Security, a pension, and IRA or 401(k) income, and apply treaties, the Foreign Tax Credit, and exclusions so the same income is not taxed twice.

FBAR Reporting for Retirement Accounts

USD $125+

For retirees whose foreign or joint accounts topped $10,000 combined at any point in the year. We confirm which accounts count, then prepare and e-file FinCEN Form 114 for each year required.

Catch-Up Filing for Retirees

USD $1,750

For retirees behind on U.S. filing, by one year or by many. We use the IRS Streamlined Program to bring you current, usually with minimal or no penalties, in one flat-fee package.

State Tax Review for Retirees

USD $185

For retirees with lingering ties to a former state. We check whether a state return is still required based on your last residence, and help you resolve it.

Strategic Tax Consultation

USD $250+

For retirees weighing what comes next: how a treaty applies where you live, when to draw on a pension or IRA, or what a property sale would mean. Sit down with a CPA or Enrolled Agent and get answers before you act.

Additional Tax Forms and Schedules

Variable flat rates

For a retiree return that needs more than the standard forms, like Form 8833 for a treaty position, Form 8621 for a foreign mutual fund, or Form 3520 for a foreign trust. Each is prepared at a flat, published rate.

Tax FAQs for Retirees Abroad

Get answers to the questions retirees abroad ask most, from Social Security and pensions to who prepares your return.

Yes, retirement does not end your U.S. filing obligation, because U.S. citizens are taxed on citizenship, not on where they live or whether they work. Many retirees still file because of Social Security, a pension, required minimum distributions, or foreign accounts, even when little or no tax is owed.

Filing correctly now also prevents IRS issues later if your situation changes or you move back to the U.S.

 

Most retirees owe little or no U.S. tax. Up to 85% of Social Security can be taxable, and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion does not apply to it, but tax treaties can reduce or remove the U.S. tax on Social Security, and the Foreign Tax Credit offsets U.S. tax on pensions and withdrawals you are already taxed on abroad.

We review each income source, apply every treaty and credit you qualify for, and coordinate with the tax you already pay where you live so the same income is not taxed twice.

 

Yes. Greenback uses the IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures to bring retirees current: 3 years of federal returns, 6 years of FBARs, and Form 14653, the non-willfulness certification you sign yourself.

Many retirees who assumed they no longer had to file qualify for this program, and those who do pay no penalties, while credits and exclusions often erase any tax owed.

The flat fee is $1,750, prepared by a CPA or IRS Enrolled Agent.

Yes. FBAR and FATCA depend on account balances, not whether you still work. If your foreign accounts top $10,000 combined at any point in the year, an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is due, and joint accounts held with a non-U.S. spouse count toward that total.

We determine which accounts must be reported, calculate the thresholds correctly, and prepare FinCEN Form 114 and Form 8938 whenever they apply.

Federal returns for retirees are a flat $565, FBAR is $125+ for up to five accounts, the Streamlined catch-up package is $1,750, FATCA filing at $120+ for up to five accounts and state returns are $185, all published before you begin.

A retiree federal return includes Form 1040, retirement income reporting, Foreign Tax Credit calculations, and treaty claims. You see your price before you start, and you don’t pay until your return is complete and you approve it.

A dedicated Greenback accountant, a U.S. CPA or IRS Enrolled Agent experienced with retirement income abroad, prepares your return from start to finish. It is never outsourced and never automated.

The same professional works with you year after year and learns your situation, so Social Security, pensions, required minimum distributions, and foreign accounts are handled consistently and correctly.

Most retirees abroad need more than one filing, and you do not have to work out which. Your accountant reads your pension, Social Security, and account statements, then tells you what applies.

Usually that is the federal return with retirement income reporting, Foreign Tax Credit, and treaty claims at $565, an FBAR at $125+ for up to five accounts if your foreign or joint accounts topped $10,000 combined, and a state return at $185 if your old state still expects one.

Each piece has a published flat fee, so you see the total before we begin.

Retire With Confidence. Keep Your U.S. Taxes Stress-Free.

Work with a specialist who knows retirement abroad. We file it right, handle FBAR and FATCA, and clear up any past years, so you can enjoy retirement.