Your Business Is Global. Your U.S. Tax Filing Shouldn’t Be a Burden.
We See Your Situation Clearly.
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You work for yourself. Consulting, freelancing, or running your own business, and navigating U.S. tax rules on your own feels overwhelming.
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Without a W-2 or employer withholding, you’re responsible for everything: tracking income, understanding deductions, and figuring out what you actually owe.
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Self-employment tax feels confusing or unexpectedly high, and you’re not sure which strategies apply now that you’re living abroad.
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Quarterly tax payments sneak up on you, especially when your income fluctuates or comes in from multiple countries.
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You want to take legitimate business deductions, but the rules feel different when you’re living outside the U.S.
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You earn money in different currencies, use platforms like Wise, PayPal, or Revolut, or have foreign bank accounts, and you’re unsure what must be reported.
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Above all, you want to stay compliant without spending hours trying to interpret tax laws that weren’t written with business owners abroad in mind.
Start your U.S. expat tax return today.
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When you run your own business overseas, understanding your tax responsibilities shouldn’t require guesswork. Our knowledge center breaks down the rules in plain language so you know exactly what applies to you before you file.
Understanding Self-Employment Tax Overseas
Learn how U.S. self-employment tax applies when you live abroad, how totalization agreements work, and what income is subject to the 15.3% SE tax.
Quarterly Taxes, Simplified
Understand how quarterly estimated taxes work for freelancers and business owners abroad, what you owe, when to pay, and how fluctuating income affects your estimates.
FEIE vs. FTC for Business Income
Explore how the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) vs. Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) apply specifically to self-employed individuals and how to choose the strategy that minimizes your total tax burden.
Business Structures Abroad (LLC, Sole Prop, or Foreign Entity?)
Understand what changes when you run a U.S. business from overseas and what to consider if you’re thinking about starting a business abroad, from tax implications to required forms and reporting. Expat Business Structures.
Foreign Business Reporting Basics
If you operate your business abroad or are considering forming a foreign entity, learn what the IRS requires, from annual reporting to the forms that apply to international businesses .
Cross-Border Invoicing and Currency Reporting
Even if you invoice in multiple currencies or get paid through global platforms, everything ultimately flows into your U.S. tax return. Learn how foreign income is reported on Form 1040 and what documentation you need to track when payments come from different countries.
Maximizing Legitimate Business Deductions
When you’re self-employed abroad, knowing which expenses qualify—home office, travel, equipment, software, and more—can significantly reduce your taxable income. Learn how to identify and document allowable business deductions with our guide to foreign business expense deductions.
FBAR & FATCA Requirements for International Entrepreneurs
Understand which foreign bank accounts, payment platforms, or business accounts require reporting, and how to avoid costly FBAR & FATCA penalties.
Recordkeeping for Global Income
Find guidance on managing receipts, expenses, and income across currencies and platforms so your books stay clean and IRS-ready. Recordkeeping for Global Income best practices.Featured In
See Why Self-Employed Expats Trust Us With Their Taxes
Greenback has in-depth knowledge and expertise in working with expats to help them file their US Federal Tax Returns. My situation is less than straight-forward, as I also have reporting responsibilities as the owner of a UK-registered limited company. The highly detail-oriented accountant with whom I was paired went above and beyond, thereby earning my trust AND my repeated business. I can’t recommend Greenback enough!
4.84/5
4.9/5
4.8/5
Tax Services That Support the Way You Work Abroad
U.S. Expat Tax Filing for Self-Employed Individuals
For freelancers, consultants, and solo business owners earning income abroad. We prepare your full U.S. tax return, apply FEIE or Foreign Tax Credits strategically, and ensure your Schedule C, business deductions, and self-employment tax are handled accurately.
$530
USD
Small Business & Entity Tax Filing (LLCs, Sole Props, Foreign Companies)
If you operate a U.S. LLC, a sole proprietorship abroad, or a foreign entity, we ensure the correct forms and schedules are filed — including complex reporting like Form 5471.
$640
USD
FBAR & FATCA Compliance for Business Owners
If your business uses platforms like Wise, PayPal, Revolut, or maintains foreign accounts, you may need to file FBAR or FATCA. We ensure every required account is reported so you avoid severe penalties.
$115+
USD
Catch-Up Filing for Self-Employed Expats (Streamlined Procedures)
If you’ve fallen behind — often due to confusion about self-employment tax abroad — we use the IRS Streamlined Program to help you catch up safely, often without penalties.
$1,600
USD
Strategic Tax Consultation
Get clear, personalized guidance on the questions that matter most when you run a business abroad—whether to keep your U.S. LLC, how foreign taxes apply where you live, whether FEIE or the Foreign Tax Credit will save you more, when (or if) a foreign company makes sense, and how to manage income that comes in multiple currencies.
$250
USD
Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculations
We calculate what you owe each quarter and provide clear payment guidance, helping you avoid penalties and stay ahead of unpredictable income. Our experts make quarterly taxes understandable so you can plan confidently year-round. Not sure how much to pay or when? Our 30-minute expat tax consultation ($250) is a great way to get expert advice on estimated payments, tax strategy, or investment reporting.
$250
USD
Your Questions, Answered: US Tax Guides & Resources
Visit the Knowledge Center
Self-Employed Expat Tax FAQs
Can I Claim the FEIE on My Self-Employment Income as an Expat?
Yes. Self-employed expats can exclude up to $130,000 (2025 limit) of foreign earned income if they qualify via the Physical Presence Test or Bona Fide Residence Test. However, the self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) generally still applies to your net earnings.
How Does Self-Employment Tax Apply When You Use the FEIE?
The FEIE reduces your federal income tax liability, but it does not reduce your liability for the 15.3% self-employment tax. You must pay SE tax on your net earnings above $400, unless you are covered by a U.S. Totalization Agreement. Read more about FEIE vs. FTC→
What Business Expenses Can Self-Employed Expats Deduct?
You can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses on Schedule C. This includes costs like home office expenses (business portion), equipment, software, professional fees, business travel, and marketing. Identifying and documenting these can significantly reduce your net earnings subject to SE tax.
Do Self-Employed Expats Need to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes While Living Abroad?
Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes (income tax + self-employment tax) for the year. This prevents underpayment penalties. Expats still use the standard quarterly due dates but often benefit from an automatic extension for the first two quarters. Read more about Quarterly Estimated Payments →
How Do Taxes Work for Expats With Both W-2 Earnings and Self-Employment Income?
Your income is allocated between the two sources: W-2 (employee) income and self-employment (freelancer) income. We ensure all income is reported correctly on Form 1040, Schedule C (for self-employment), and Schedule SE (for self-employment tax), optimizing your FEIE claim across both.
What’s the Best Way to Record Overseas Business Expenses in a Different Currency?
You should keep records in the original foreign currency, clearly labeled. For tax filing, all amounts must be converted to USD using IRS-approved exchange rates—either the spot rate on the day of the transaction or a yearly average rate for regular transactions.
File Your Self-Employment Taxes Correctly. Maximize Your Deductions.
