You’re Moving Back to the U.S. Your Tax Transition Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated.
You’re in the Right Place if…
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You’re returning mid-year and want to optimize your dual-status tax year
Your return year lets you claim the best of both worlds: FEIE benefits for your time abroad and full domestic deductions after you’re back. We handle the complex dual-status filing, maximize your prorated FEIE for foreign income, claim full domestic deductions and credits for U.S. income, and ensure you don’t overpay by filing as a full-year resident.
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You need to choose which state to establish residency in
Where you establish residency when you return significantly impacts your ongoing state tax obligations. We help you understand the tax implications of different states, evaluate tax-free states (Florida, Texas, Nevada, etc.) versus high-tax states, timing considerations for establishing residency, and documentation requirements to prove your new state ties.
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You have foreign retirement accounts or assets you need to report correctly
As a U.S. resident, Form 8938 thresholds are LOWER than when you lived abroad, meaning you may need to file even if you didn’t previously. We help you understand the new reporting thresholds as a U.S. resident, determine which foreign accounts and assets require reporting, file FBAR and Form 8938 correctly, and report foreign pension distributions properly on your U.S. return.
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You’re transitioning from FEIE to standard deduction and need to understand the change
Once you’re back in the U.S., you can no longer claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for U.S.-source income. We explain when your FEIE eligibility ends (exact dates matter), how to maximize your final prorated FEIE claim, what domestic deductions replace expat benefits, and how standard deduction and itemized deductions work for your U.S. income portion.
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You lost the automatic June 15 filing extension and need to meet new deadlines
Living abroad gave you an automatic extension to June 15. That disappears once you’re a U.S. resident. We help you understand your new April 15 deadline, determine if you need to file Form 4868 for an extension, avoid late filing penalties in your transition year, and set up systems for ongoing domestic compliance.
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You want expert help with your transition year to avoid expensive mistakes
Your return year is typically the most complex tax year you’ll file. We review your complete transition situation, calculate optimal dual-status treatment, determine exact FEIE prorating for qualifying days, identify state residency planning opportunities, and give you a clear roadmap for domestic filing going forward so you make the transition with confidence.
Start your U.S. expat tax return today.
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You Need Certainty. We Provide the Blueprint. These short guides answer your most common questions about returning to the U.S. For personalized transition planning, connect with a Greenback tax specialist.
What Is a Dual-Status Tax Year and How Does It Help Me?
A dual-status tax year occurs when you move to or from the U.S. mid-year. For returning expats, this is your biggest advantage. You’re taxed as a nonresident for the portion of the year you lived abroad (allowing you to claim FEIE), and as a resident for the portion after your return (allowing full domestic deductions and credits). Most returning expats can significantly reduce their tax liability by properly claiming dual-status treatment instead of filing as a full-year resident. This requires filing both Form 1040 and Form 1040-NR with a dual-status statement attached. Learn more about mid-year moves and dual-status filing
Do I Lose My FEIE When I Move Back to the U.S.?
You can still claim a prorated Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for the portion of the year you lived and worked abroad, as long as you meet either the Physical Presence Test or Bona Fide Residence Test for that period. The key is calculating your qualifying days correctly. If you return to the U.S. on July 1, 2025, and you qualified under Physical Presence for the first half of the year, you can exclude up to approximately $65,000 (50% of the $130,000 FEIE limit). Proper documentation of your departure date and qualifying days is critical to maximize this benefit. Learn more about returning to the U.S. tax transition
How Do I Choose Which State to Establish Residency In?
Your choice of state residence significantly impacts your ongoing tax liability. Tax-free states (Florida, Texas, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Tennessee, New Hampshire) have no state income tax on wages. High-tax states (California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts) can take 5-13% of your income annually. When returning, you can strategically choose where to establish ties: move directly to your target state, get a driver’s license and register to vote there, open bank accounts, and maintain documentation of your residency. This decision affects you for years, not just your return year. Learn more about state residency considerations
What Happens to My Foreign Bank Accounts When I’m Back in the U.S.?
You can keep foreign bank accounts when you return to the U.S., but reporting thresholds change. Form 8938 (FATCA) thresholds are LOWER for U.S. residents than for Americans living abroad. As a U.S. resident, you must file Form 8938 if foreign assets exceed $50,000 at year-end or $75,000 at any time (single), or $100,000 at year-end or $150,000 at any time (married filing jointly). This is significantly lower than the $200,000/$300,000 thresholds for expats abroad. FBAR requirements remain the same ($10,000 aggregate balance), but you may now need to file Form 8938 even if you didn’t while abroad. Learn more about U.S. tax requirements
Will I Owe More Taxes Now That I’m Back in the U.S.?
It depends on your situation, but many returning expats are pleasantly surprised. In your dual-status return year, you get the best of both worlds: FEIE for foreign income and full domestic deductions for U.S. income. For subsequent years, you lose FEIE but gain the standard deduction ($15,000 single, $30,000 married for 2025), all tax credits (Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, education credits), and the ability to contribute to retirement accounts with full deduction benefits. If you’re moving to a tax-free state, you eliminate state income tax entirely. Your overall effective tax rate may actually decrease. Read the complete guide to returning to the U.S.
What’s My Filing Deadline When I Return to the U.S.?
Once you’re a U.S. resident, you lose the automatic June 15 extension that expats living abroad receive. Your return is due April 15 of the year following your tax year, just like any other U.S. resident. However, you can file Form 4868 to request an automatic extension to October 15 if you need more time. For your dual-status return year, many returning expats benefit from filing an extension to ensure they have time to gather all foreign tax documents, calculate prorated FEIE correctly, and optimize both portions of their year. Extensions give you more time to file but don’t extend your payment deadline—taxes owed are still due April 15. Learn more about dual-status filing deadlinesFeatured In
Returning Expats Trust Greenback for Their Transition Year
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Tax Help for Expats Returning to the U.S.
Returning to the U.S. creates your most complex tax year. You’re unwinding expat positions, maximizing final FEIE benefits, establishing domestic compliance, and making state residency choices that impact you for years. Our services help you optimize your dual-status return, transition smoothly to domestic filing, and avoid expensive mistakes.
Return-Year Dual-Status Tax Filing
Your return year allows you to claim both expat benefits for time abroad AND full domestic deductions after you’re home. We prepare complete dual-status returns with both Form 1040 and Form 1040-NR, calculate your exact prorated FEIE based on qualifying days abroad, maximize domestic deductions and credits for your U.S. income portion, file required dual-status statements correctly, and coordinate federal and state returns. Dual-status filing requires specialized expertise—most DIY software cannot handle this complexity.
$875
USD
State Tax Return and Residency Planning
Choosing which state to establish residency in can save thousands annually. We help you evaluate tax implications of different states, prepare state tax returns for your chosen state, document residency establishment properly, and file part-year resident returns if you lived in multiple states during your return year. Strategic state planning before you move back prevents ongoing high-tax obligations.
$185
USD
FBAR and Form 8938 Filing for Returning Residents
Form 8938 thresholds drop significantly once you’re a U.S. resident, from $200,000/$300,000 (expat abroad) to $50,000/$75,000 (single resident). We determine which foreign accounts and assets require reporting under new thresholds, file FBAR for accounts exceeding $10,000, prepare Form 8938 if you meet the lower resident thresholds, and report foreign pensions and retirement accounts correctly. Proper reporting prevents severe penalties.
$125+
USD
Ongoing Domestic Tax Filing
After your transition year, we continue supporting your domestic filing with complete Form 1040 preparation, standard or itemized deduction optimization, all tax credits (Child Tax Credit, education credits, retirement contributions), ongoing foreign account reporting if you maintain accounts abroad, and access to CPAs who understand both expat and domestic tax. Many returning expats stay with Greenback because we understand their complete tax history and make domestic filing simple.
$565
USD
Tax Consultation for Return Planning
Schedule a consultation with our CPAs or Enrolled Agents to review your transition strategy before or during your return year. We analyze your optimal dual-status treatment, discuss state residency choices and timing, explain how FEIE transitions to standard deduction, address foreign asset reporting requirement changes, and create a roadmap for ongoing domestic filing. A consultation helps you make informed decisions about timing your return and establishing residency. Our consultations start at $250 for 30 minutes.
$250+
USD
Your Questions, Answered: US Tax Guides & Resources
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Expat Returning to the U.S. Tax FAQs
Can Greenback prepare my dual-status return for my year returning to the U.S.?
Yes, Greenback specializes in dual-status tax return preparation for returning expats. Your return year is typically your most complex tax year because you’re taxed as a nonresident for the portion you lived abroad (allowing FEIE) and as a resident for the portion after your return (allowing full domestic deductions and credits).
We prepare the complete dual-status return including Form 1040 for your resident portion, Form 1040-NR for your nonresident portion (if applicable), calculate your exact prorated FEIE based on qualifying days abroad ($130,000 for 2025, prorated by days), maximize domestic deductions and credits for your U.S. income portion (standard deduction $15,000 single/$30,000 married for 2025), and file the required dual-status statement explaining the split.
Most returning expats significantly reduce their tax liability by properly claiming dual-status treatment instead of filing as a full-year resident. Our dual-status return preparation is $875. Learn more about our dual-status filing services.
Can Greenback help me choose which state to establish residency in and prepare my state return?
Yes, where you establish residency when you return significantly impacts your ongoing tax liability. Tax-free states (Florida, Texas, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Tennessee, New Hampshire) have no state income tax on wages, while high-tax states (California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts) can take 5-13% of your income annually. A high earner making $150,000 in California pays approximately $12,000 in state income tax annually, while the same income in Florida pays $0.
We help you evaluate tax implications of different states, advise on timing and documentation for establishing residency (driver’s license, voter registration, bank accounts, physical address), prepare state tax returns for your chosen state, and file part-year resident returns if you lived in multiple states during your return year.
Strategic state choice impacts you for years, not just your return year. Our state tax return preparation is $185. Learn more about our state tax services.
I have foreign bank accounts and assets. Will Greenback handle the changing FBAR and Form 8938 requirements?
Yes, Form 8938 (FATCA) thresholds drop significantly once you’re a U.S. resident. As an expat abroad, thresholds are $200,000 year-end/$300,000 anytime (single) or $400,000/$600,000 (married). As a U.S. resident, thresholds drop to just $50,000 year-end/$75,000 anytime (single) or $100,000/$150,000 (married).
This means you may need to file Form 8938 upon return even if you didn’t while abroad. We determine which foreign accounts and assets require reporting under your new resident thresholds, file FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) for foreign accounts exceeding $10,000 aggregate, prepare Form 8938 if you meet the lower resident thresholds, and report foreign pensions, retirement accounts, and investments correctly on your U.S. return.
You can keep your foreign accounts when you return—proper reporting prevents severe penalties ($10,000+ for Form 8938 non-filing, $12,500+ per account for FBAR). Our FBAR filing starts at $125 for up to 5 accounts. Learn more about our FBAR filing services.
I already filed as a full-year resident and didn’t claim dual-status. Can Greenback file an amended return to get my refund?
Yes, many returning expats don’t realize they qualify for dual-status benefits and file incorrectly as full-year residents, overpaying significantly. We prepare amended tax returns (Form 1040-X) to reclaim dual-status treatment, recalculate your tax liability with proper resident vs. nonresident treatment, claim your prorated FEIE for time abroad (often $65,000+ for half-year returns), apply full domestic deductions and credits correctly, and claim refunds for overpayment.
Correcting this error typically results in significant refunds because you recover the FEIE benefit you should have claimed for your foreign income. Amended returns can be filed within three years of the original due date. Our amended return preparation is $565. Learn more about our amended return services.
Can Greenback continue preparing my taxes after I’m settled back in the U.S.?
Yes, many returning expats continue using Greenback for their ongoing domestic tax filing because we understand their complete tax history and make domestic filing simple. After your transition year, we prepare your standard Form 1040 with standard or itemized deduction optimization, all tax credits (Child Tax Credit up to $2,000 per child, education credits, retirement contribution deductions, Earned Income Credit if applicable), ongoing foreign account reporting if you maintain accounts abroad (FBAR, Form 8938), and state tax returns.
You’ll work with CPAs and Enrolled Agents who understand both expat and domestic tax, know your tax history from your expat years, and make the transition seamless year after year. Our ongoing federal tax return preparation starts at $565. Learn more about our federal tax return services.
What happens to my foreign pension when I return? Will Greenback report it correctly?
Foreign pensions remain reportable on your U.S. tax return once you’re a U.S. resident. Distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income on Form 1040, though U.S. tax treaties with your former host country may provide some relief through reduced withholding or exclusions.
We report foreign pension distributions correctly on your Form 1040 (not just Form 2555 as when abroad), claim foreign tax credits if your host country withholds taxes on distributions (Form 1116), apply applicable treaty benefits to reduce double taxation (Form 8833 if treaty position claimed), and determine if the pension itself requires Form 8938 reporting as a foreign financial asset (depends on value and your filing status).
Proper reporting prevents double taxation while maintaining IRS compliance. This is included in our federal tax return preparation.
How much does Greenback charge for tax preparation when I’m returning to the U.S.?
Our pricing is transparent and flat-fee based. Dual-status tax return preparation for your return year is $875, which includes Form 1040 + Form 1040-NR, prorated FEIE calculations, domestic deduction optimization, and dual-status statement. State tax return preparation is $185. FBAR filing for foreign accounts starts at $125 for up to 5 accounts. If you already filed incorrectly as a full-year resident, amended return preparation is $565.
For ongoing domestic filing after your transition year, federal tax return preparation starts at $565. Strategic consultations for return planning start at $250 for 30 minutes.
Most clients find our expertise saves far more than our fees cost through proper dual-status optimization, state residency planning, and avoiding IRS penalties for incorrect filing. Use our pricing calculator to get an estimate.
Can Greenback help me plan my return timing and provide a consultation before I move back?
Yes, a pre-return tax consultation can help you optimize timing and make informed decisions. We review your optimal dual-status treatment possibilities, discuss state residency choices and tax implications (tax-free vs. high-tax states), explain how FEIE transitions to standard deduction and what that means for your tax liability, address foreign asset reporting requirement changes (Form 8938 threshold drops), analyze timing considerations for your return date (early year vs. late year impact on FEIE proration), review foreign pension and retirement account reporting requirements, and create a roadmap for your transition year and ongoing domestic filing.
A consultation before your return helps you make strategic choices about timing your move and establishing residency that can save thousands in taxes. Our consultations start at $250 for 30 minutes. Schedule your return planning consultation today.
You’re coming home after living abroad. Your tax transition doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
