Overwhelmed by Expat Tax Complexity? US Tax Help for Americans Abroad.
Does Any of This Sound Like Your Life Abroad?
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You file every year but wonder if you’re doing it correctly.
You meet your deadlines, but the forms feel complex, and the stakes feel high. You’re not sure if you’re claiming the right exclusions, optimizing between FEIE and the Foreign Tax Credit, or missing something that could cost you later.
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You’re earning income overseas and want to avoid paying taxes twice
Nobody handed you a guide when you landed. You’re not sure whether your income is taxable, which forms you need, or whether the rules that applied at home still apply to you.
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You’re worried you’re paying more U.S. tax than you actually owe.
You’ve heard that many Americans abroad owe little to nothing, but you’re not sure how to get there, whether you qualify, or if your current approach is leaving money on the table.
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You have foreign bank accounts, investments, or a pension and aren’t sure what needs to be reported.
You know the penalties for getting this wrong are severe, but the reporting requirements feel opaque, and the thresholds are easy to misread.
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Your situation is more complicated than it was in the U.S.
A new job, a non-U.S. spouse, a business, a property purchase, or a move to a new country has introduced tax complexity you didn’t expect and don’t feel equipped to handle on your own.
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You’re self-employed or freelancing abroad and suspect your tax picture is more complicated than most.
Without an employer handling withholding, you’re responsible for self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, and multiple overlapping forms, and you want to make sure it’s all done right.
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You’ve been handling your taxes yourself or with a domestic accountant, but you’ve lost confidence in the outcome.
U.S. expat tax law is a specialty. A general CPA or a DIY approach can miss exclusions, misapply treaties, or leave FBAR and FATCA obligations unaddressed.
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You’re behind on your filings and want to catch up without incurring penalties.
You didn’t know you had to keep filing, or life got in the way. The IRS has programs designed specifically for this situation, and the path forward is more manageable than you think.
Start your U.S. expat tax return today.
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You Need Certainty. We Provide the Blueprint. These guides answer your most common questions about living abroad. For personalized expat tax guidance, connect with a Greenback specialist.
Why Do I Have to Pay U.S. Taxes If I Live Outside the U.S.?
The United States taxes based on citizenship, not residence, meaning U.S. citizens must file tax returns and report worldwide income regardless of where they live. However, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credit typically eliminate or significantly reduce what you owe. Learn more about U.S. taxes for citizens abroad
What Is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and How Do I Qualify?
The FEIE allows you to exclude up to $130,000 of foreign earned income from U.S. taxation for 2025 ($132,900 for 2026) if you pass the Physical Presence Test (330 days abroad in 12 months) or Bona Fide Residence Test (genuine foreign residence for a full tax year). This applies only to earned income like salaries and self-employment, not passive income like dividends or rental income. Learn more about the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
Should I Use FEIE or Foreign Tax Credit?
Use FEIE if you live in a low-tax country where foreign taxes paid are minimal, as it removes income from taxation entirely. Use Foreign Tax Credit if you live in a high-tax country, as it gives dollar-for-dollar credits for foreign taxes paid and often eliminates your U.S. liability completely. Learn more about FEIE vs. Foreign Tax Credit
What Foreign Bank Accounts and Assets Do I Need to Report?
If your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 total at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR by April 15 (automatic extension to October 15). Form 8938 (FATCA) may also be required if foreign assets exceed $200,000/$300,000 (single) or $400,000/$600,000 (married) thresholds for expats abroad. Learn more about FBAR filing requirements
How Do I Catch Up If I Haven’t Filed in Years?
The IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures allow expats to catch up on unfiled returns with minimal or no penalties if the failure was non-willful. The program requires filing 3 years of tax returns, 6 years of FBARs, and Form 14653 certifying non-willful failure. Learn more about Streamlined Filing Procedures
What Happens to My Foreign Pension or Retirement Account?
Foreign pensions must be reported on your U.S. tax return, though tax treatment varies by country and treaty provisions. Distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, but you may claim foreign tax credits if your host country withholds taxes, and the accounts themselves often require FBAR and Form 8938 reporting. Learn more about foreign pensions and U.S. taxesFeatured In
Hear From Americans Who Solved Their Expat Tax Puzzle.
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Tax Help for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
Living abroad means complex U.S. tax requirements, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Our specialized services help you stay compliant, maximize exclusions and credits, and file with confidence year after year.
Annual Expat Tax Filing
We manage your entire U.S. return, strategically applying the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credits (FTC) to ensure you owe little to no U.S. tax.
$565
USD
FBAR and FATCA Compliance
Eliminate the fear of catastrophic penalties. We accurately report all foreign accounts and financial assets as required by the IRS.
$125+
USD
Catch-Up Filing (Streamlined Procedures)
If you are behind on your taxes, we use the IRS Streamlined Program to quickly and legally restore your compliance, often penalty-free.
$1,750
USD
Strategic Tax Consultation
Get personalized, year-round advice on complex matters like business structuring, foreign pensions, and residency changes to proactively minimize your future tax burden.
$250+
USD
Your Questions, Answered: US Tax Guides & Resources
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US Expat Tax FAQs
What’s included in Greenback’s expat tax filing service?
Our Federal Tax Return Preparation includes all standard expat forms (1040, 2555 for FEIE, 1116 for Foreign Tax Credit) and schedules (A, B, C, D, E). We strategically apply the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credits to minimize what you owe, coordinate with your foreign tax obligations, and provide expert guidance from CPAs and Enrolled Agents.
Learn more about our federal tax return services
How much does it cost to file my expat taxes with Greenback?
Our pricing is transparent and flat-fee based. Standard federal expat returns start at $565. FBAR filing is $125 for up to 5 accounts. Streamlined Filing Package (3 years of returns + 6 years of FBARs) is $1,750. State returns and additional forms have separate flat fees. You’ll always know the exact cost before we begin.
Can Greenback help me if I’m years behind on filing?
Yes, we specialize in catch-up filing through the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures. Our flat-fee package ($1,750) includes preparation of 3 years of federal returns, 6 years of FBARs, and Form 14653 certifying non-willful failure. Most clients who use Streamlined Procedures pay minimal or no penalties. Learn more about our Streamlined Filing service.
Does Greenback handle FBAR and FATCA reporting?
Yes, we file both FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) and Form 8938 (FATCA) to ensure you meet all foreign account reporting requirements. We determine exactly what you need to report based on your accounts, file everything correctly and on time, and help you avoid severe penalties for non-compliance. Learn more about our FBAR filing services.
Can Greenback help me if I’m self-employed or own a business abroad?
Yes, we prepare Schedule C for self-employment income, Schedule SE for self-employment tax, and help you maximize business expense deductions while staying compliant. We also handle quarterly estimated taxes, totalization agreement considerations, and foreign business entity reporting if needed. Learn more about our small business tax services.
Does Greenback offer tax consultations for specific questions?
Yes, you can schedule one-on-one consultations with our CPAs and Enrolled Agents at any time. Consultations are ideal for complex situations like business structuring abroad, foreign pensions, residency changes, FEIE vs. FTC strategy, and proactive tax planning. Sessions start at $250 for 30 minutes. Schedule a tax consultation.
Can Greenback help with state tax returns?
Yes, we prepare state tax returns for expats who still have state filing obligations. We help you understand which state (if any) you need to file in, prepare part-year resident returns if you moved mid-year, and properly terminate residency in “sticky” states like California, New York, and Virginia. Learn more about our state tax services.
Does Greenback prepare foreign tax returns or just U.S. taxes?
We primarily focus on U.S. tax returns, but we also offer UK tax services where we prepare UK Self-Assessment returns coordinated with your U.S. filing. For other countries, we focus on U.S. compliance and can provide guidance on how foreign taxes interact with your U.S. obligations. Learn more about our UK tax services.
File your expat taxes correctly. Minimize what you owe.
