- 🌍 500+ Expats Served • 50+ Countries • 100% US-Based CPAs
US Expat Taxes
are complicated.
Our qualified CPAs
make it easy for
you.
Optimize Tax is trusted by hundreds of Americans living abroad for expert expatriate tax services, FBAR filing, and international compliance. Our expat tax advisors provide tailored guidance for every client, ensuring accuracy and maximum savings.
US Expat Tax Filing Requirements at a Glance
📅 Who Must File?
💰 FEIE Exclusion Amount
🏦 FBAR Threshold
📋 Key Deadlines
🌍 Physical Presence Test
⚠️ Penalties for Non-Filing
💡 Pro Tip: Most Americans in high-tax countries (UK, Germany, Canada, France, Australia) owe zero US tax after FEIE and foreign tax credits, but you still must file annually to maintain compliance.
What Are US Expat Tax Services?
Core Expat Tax Forms
- Form 2555 (FEIE): Foreign Earned Income Exclusion up to $126,500
- FBAR (FinCEN 114): Foreign bank account reporting over $10,000
- Form 8938 (FATCA): Foreign financial asset reporting
- Form 1116: Foreign tax credit for taxes paid abroad
Complex Situations
- Form 5471: Foreign corporation ownership reporting
- Form 8865: Foreign partnership interests
- Form 8621 (PFIC): Foreign investment fund reporting
- Tax treaty optimization: Preventing double taxation
Why Do Americans Abroad Need Specialized Tax Services?
The United States is one of only two countries in the world (along with Eritrea) that taxes its citizens based on citizenship rather than residence. This means American citizens must file US tax returns and report worldwide income regardless of where they live – whether in London, Berlin, Dubai, Tokyo, Sydney, or anywhere else on earth.
Professional expat tax services are essential because:
- Tax treaty navigation: The US has tax treaties with 60+ countries that prevent double taxation, but these treaties are complex and require expert interpretation
- FEIE optimization: Properly calculating physical presence (330 days) or establishing bona fide residence requires detailed documentation and strategic planning
- Penalty avoidance: FBAR penalties alone can reach $10,000 per year for non-willful violations, or 50% of account balances for willful violations
- Foreign tax credit maximization: Coordinating foreign taxes paid with US tax obligations requires complex calculations and multi-country knowledge
- State tax termination: Properly severing tax residency with aggressive states like California, Virginia, and New York requires strategic planning
How Much Does US Expat Tax Preparation Cost?
Transparent pricing for Americans living abroad based on complexity of your international tax situation. All packages include complete US tax return preparation, FEIE optimization, and IRS compliance support. Choose based on your income sources and foreign accounts. See detailed service descriptions →
Simple Expat
$895
Perfect for:
- Single country employment
- W-2 equivalent income
- No foreign investments
What's Included:
- Form 1040 US tax return
- Form 2555 (FEIE - up to $126,500)
- Physical presence test calculation
- Foreign housing exclusion
- Tax treaty benefits analysis
- State tax termination review
- IRS compliance guarantee
Add-Ons:
- FBAR (1-5 accounts): +$75
- State return: +$150
- Most Popular
Standard Expat
Starting at
$1,495
Perfect for:
- Foreign bank accounts
- Multiple income sources
- Self-employment income
Everything in Simple, Plus:
- FBAR filing (up to 10 accounts)
- Form 8938 (FATCA) reporting
- Self-employment income (Schedule C)
- Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
- Rental property income abroad
- Investment income optimization
- Multi-country income allocation
Add-Ons:
- Extra accounts (10+): +$50/5 accounts
- Form 3520: +$200
Complex Expat
Starting at
$2,495
complete filing
Perfect for:
- Foreign business owners
- Foreign investments (PFIC)
- Foreign partnerships
Everything in Standard, Plus:
- Form 5471 (foreign corporation)
- Form 8865 (foreign partnership)
- Form 8621 (PFIC reporting)
- Foreign trust reporting (Form 3520)
- Controlled foreign corp compliance
- GILTI tax calculations
- Complex treaty planning
Add-Ons:
- Additional 5471: +$400
- Additional PFIC: +$150
💰 Why Choose Professional Expat Tax Preparation?
🎯
vs. DIY Expat Software
TurboTax and H&R Block charge $200-300 but miss treaty benefits, foreign tax credits, and FEIE optimization worth thousands
📊
Average Savings: $3,500+
🛡️
Penalty Protection
What Forms Do US Expats Need to File?
↑ Back to Pricing • 🌍 All Expats Worldwide
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) Filing - Form 2555
- Form 2555 preparation with FEIE maximization up to $126,500 annually
- Physical presence test calculation and day tracking (330 days in 12 months)
- Bona fide residence test qualification and documentation
- Foreign housing exclusion and deduction optimization (above FEIE limit)
- Tax treaty benefits analysis for dual-status years and treaty countries
- Moving expense deduction planning for qualified relocations
- State tax termination strategies to end state filing obligations
- Multi-year tax planning for expats with fluctuating income
Countries We Serve: United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Edinburgh), Germany (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt), Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal), UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), Spain (Barcelona, Madrid), France (Paris, Lyon), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva), Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara), Singapore, South Korea (Seoul), Thailand (Bangkok), Costa Rica, Portugal (Lisbon), Italy (Rome, Milan), New Zealand (Auckland), and 35+ more countries.
↑ Back to Pricing • 🏦 Foreign Bank Accounts
FBAR Filing (FinCEN Form 114) & FATCA Compliance
- FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) filing for all foreign accounts exceeding $10,000 aggregate
- Form 8938 (FATCA) reporting for foreign financial assets above thresholds
- Foreign mutual fund and investment account disclosure
- Cryptocurrency held in foreign exchanges (Binance, Kraken, etc.)
- Joint account reporting with non-US spouse considerations
- Foreign business account reporting for business owners abroad
- Signature authority reporting for company accounts you control
- Late FBAR filing and penalty mitigation through delinquent procedures
Common FBAR Situations by Country: UK (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds accounts), Germany (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank), Canada (RBC, TD Bank, Scotia), Australia (Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB), UAE (Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq), Singapore (DBS, OCBC, UOB), Switzerland (UBS, Credit Suisse), Japan (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho), and all international banks worldwide.
↑ Back to Pricing • 💻 Digital Nomads & Freelancers
Digital Nomad & Location-Independent Tax Services
Specialized expat tax filing for digital nomads, remote workers, and location-independent professionals. We track multi-country presence, optimize travel deductions, and ensure you meet FEIE requirements while working from Bali, Lisbon, Mexico City, or anywhere worldwide.
- Physical presence test tracking across multiple countries (Thailand, Portugal, Mexico, Spain, etc.)
- Self-employment income optimization with FEIE and foreign tax credits
- Schedule C preparation for freelancers and consultants working abroad
- Home office deduction for digital nomads (co-working spaces, apartments)
- Cryptocurrency income reporting for crypto traders and blockchain consultants
- Multiple foreign bank account reporting (Wise, Revolut, N26, foreign banks)
- Travel expense optimization for business purposes vs personal travel
- Quarterly estimated tax planning for self-employed digital nomads
- Multi-country tax residency planning to avoid double taxation
Popular Digital Nomad Destinations We Serve: Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket), Portugal (Lisbon, Porto - NHR program), Spain (Barcelona, Valencia - digital nomad visa), Mexico (Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, Tulum), Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta), Colombia (Medellín, Bogotá), Costa Rica (San José), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi), Philippines (Manila), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Croatia (Zagreb, Split), Georgia (Tbilisi), and worldwide.
↑ Back to Pricing • 🏢 Foreign Business Owners
Foreign Business Ownership & Investment Reporting
- Form 5471 preparation for US persons with foreign corporation ownership (UK Ltd, German GmbH, etc.)
- Form 8865 filing for foreign partnership interests (including LLPs)
- Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) compliance and Subpart F income calculations
- GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) tax calculation and optimization
- Form 8621 (PFIC) reporting for foreign mutual funds, unit trusts, and investments
- Foreign tax credit maximization for taxes paid to UK, Germany, Canada, etc.
- Foreign tax credit maximization for taxes paid to UK, Germany, Canada, etc.
- Transfer pricing documentation for intercompany transactions
- Check-the-box elections for entity classification optimization
- Foreign business sale and exit planning to minimize US tax
Foreign Entity Types We Handle: UK (Limited Company, LLP), Germany (GmbH, UG), Canada (Corporation, Partnership), Australia (Pty Ltd), UAE (LLC, Free Zone), Singapore (Pte Ltd), Hong Kong (Limited), Netherlands (BV), Ireland (Limited), France (SARL, SAS), Switzerland (GmbH, AG), and all international business structures.
↑ Back to Pricing • 🏖️ American Retirees Abroad
US Retiree Tax Services for Americans Living Abroad
- Social Security benefits taxation analysis and treaty benefits (most countries)
- US pension and IRA distribution planning for retirees abroad
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) calculations for IRAs and 401(k)s
- Foreign pension reporting (UK pensions, German pensions, Canadian RRSPs, etc.)
- Form 8938 compliance for foreign retirement accounts
- Tax treaty benefits for pension income (avoiding double taxation)
- Medicare tax considerations and premium surcharges (IRMAA)
- Foreign real estate ownership and rental income reporting
- Estate planning coordination for US citizens with foreign assets
Popular Retirement Destinations We Serve: Spain (Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Valencia), Portugal (Algarve, Lisbon - NHR tax benefits), Mexico (Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta), France (Provence, Paris), Italy (Tuscany, Amalfi Coast), Panama (Panama City, Boquete - Pensionado visa), Costa Rica, Ecuador (Cuenca), Greece, Croatia, and worldwide retirement communities.
US Expat Tax Services by Country
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
London • Manchester • Edinburgh • Birmingham
Key Considerations:
- US-UK tax treaty benefits
- UK pension reporting (Form 8938)
- ISA & SIPP tax treatment
- UK Limited Company (Form 5471)
- FBAR for Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds
🇩🇪
Germany
Key Considerations:
- US-Germany tax treaty optimization
- German pension (Rentenversicherung)
- GmbH/UG business ownership
- FBAR for Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank
- Freelancer visa (Freiberufler) taxes
🇬🇧
Canada
Key Considerations:
- US-Canada tax treaty benefits
- RRSP & TFSA reporting (Form 8891)
- Canadian corporation ownership
- FBAR for RBC, TD, Scotiabank
- Cross-border commuter taxes
🇦🇪
United Arab Emirates
Dubai • Abu Dhabi • Sharjah
Key Considerations:
- Zero UAE income tax = max FEIE benefit
- Physical presence test tracking
- UAE free zone company (Form 5471)
- FBAR for Emirates NBD, ADCB, ENBD
- Housing exclusion maximization
🇦🇺
Australia
Key Considerations:
- US-Australia tax treaty optimization
- Superannuation (Form 8938, PFIC)
- Pty Ltd business ownership
- FBAR for Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB
- Foreign tax credit coordination
🇯🇵
Japan
Key Considerations:
- US-Japan tax treaty benefits
- Japanese pension system reporting
- KK (Kabushiki Kaisha) ownership
- FBAR for MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho
- English teacher ALT tax compliance
🇪🇸
Spain
Key Considerations:
- US-Spain tax treaty coordination
- Digital nomad visa tax implications
- SL/SLU business ownership (Form 5471)
- Autonomo (self-employed) reporting
- Retiree Social Security treaty benefits
🇫🇷
France
Key Considerations:
- US-France tax treaty benefits
- French pension & social security
- SARL/SAS business structures
- Auto-entrepreneur tax compliance
- PEA (Plan d'Épargne en Actions) PFIC
🇲🇽
Mexico
Key Considerations:
- US-Mexico tax treaty optimization
- Temporary resident visa implications
- SA de CV / SRL business ownership
- Digital nomad & remote worker taxes
- Retiree Social Security benefits
Serving Americans in 50+ Countries Worldwide
US Expat Tax Questions Answered - Complete FAQ
💡 Do I have to file US taxes if I live abroad?
How much foreign income can I exclude from US taxes?
For tax year 2024, you can exclude up to $126,500 of foreign earned income from US taxation using the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) filed on Form 2555. This amount adjusts annually for inflation ($120,000 in 2023, $112,000 in 2022). Additionally, you can claim the foreign housing exclusion for qualified housing costs exceeding approximately $18,000, potentially excluding thousands more. If you’re married filing jointly and both spouses qualify, you can each claim the full exclusion ($253,000 combined for 2024). Combined with foreign tax credits for income above the FEIE limit, most American expats in countries like UK, Germany, Canada, France, or Australia end up owing zero US tax despite the filing requirement.
What is the physical presence test and how do I qualify?
Do I need to file FBAR if I have foreign bank accounts?
Yes, you must file FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report – FinCEN Form 114) if the aggregate (combined total) value of ALL your foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at ANY point during the year – even for just one day. This includes all bank accounts, investment accounts, pension accounts, and any account where you have signature authority. For example, if you have accounts at Barclays in UK ($6,000), Deutsche Bank in Germany ($3,000), and a Wise account ($2,000), you exceed the $10,000 threshold and must file FBAR. This filing is completely separate from your tax return, filed electronically with FinCEN, and due April 15th with automatic extension to October 15th. Penalties for non-filing are severe: up to $10,000 per year for non-willful violations, or the greater of $100,000 or 50% of account balance for willful violations.
Can I use both FEIE and Foreign Tax Credit?
No, you cannot claim both FEIE and Foreign Tax Credit on the SAME income. However, you can use FEIE to exclude earned income up to $126,500, then use Foreign Tax Credit on investment income, income above FEIE limit, or other non-excluded income. We analyze which strategy minimizes your overall tax – often FEIE is better in low-tax countries, FTC better in high-tax countries.
What are expat tax filing deadlines?
How much do expat tax services cost?
Our US expat tax preparation starts at $895 for simple returns with FEIE only. Standard returns with FBAR, foreign income, self-employment: $1,495+. Complex returns with foreign business (Form 5471), investments (PFIC), or multiple countries: $2,495+. Streamlined catch-up filing for delinquent years: $2,995+ per year. All pricing transparent and provided upfront after consultation.
What if I haven't filed US taxes in years?
We help through Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures – allows qualifying expats to catch up on 3 years tax returns and 6 years FBAR with reduced/eliminated penalties if non-compliance was non-willful. Must certify failure to file wasn’t intentional. Common for Americans abroad who didn’t know filing requirements. Don’t wait – penalties increase over time and IRS is getting better at finding unreported foreign accounts.
Do tax treaties affect my US filing?
Yes! US has tax treaties with 60+ countries including UK, Germany, Canada, France, Australia, Japan, Netherlands, etc. Treaties prevent double taxation, determine which country can tax certain income types (pensions, Social Security, business profits), and provide benefits like reduced withholding rates. We apply all beneficial treaty provisions. However, you still must FILE US returns even if treaty eliminates all US tax.
How are foreign pensions reported?
Foreign pensions (UK pensions, German pensions, Canadian RRSPs, Australian super, etc.) must be reported on Form 8938 if exceeding thresholds. Distributions may be taxable on US return depending on treaty. Some foreign pensions qualify as PFICs requiring Form 8621. Employer contributions to foreign pensions may be taxable income. We handle all foreign pension compliance for retirees and workers abroad.
What about cryptocurrency for expats?
Crypto gains are taxable regardless of location. Crypto held on foreign exchanges (Binance, Kraken, etc.) may require FBAR if accounts exceed $10,000. Crypto received as income (mining, staking, airdrops) is taxable. FEIE generally doesn’t apply to investment gains, only earned income. Many countries have crypto-friendly tax rules, but US taxes still apply. We ensure proper reporting and optimize foreign tax credits.
Can digital nomads qualify for FEIE?
Absolutely! Digital nomads traveling between Thailand, Portugal, Mexico, Spain, Bali, etc. can qualify using physical presence test (330 days outside US in any 12-month period). We track your travel, optimize your 12-month period selection, and document presence across multiple countries. Many remote workers and online business owners successfully exclude $126,500+ while maintaining nomadic lifestyle.
Do I need Form 5471 for my UK limited company?
How do I terminate state tax residency?
What's the difference between FBAR and Form 8938?
Both report foreign accounts but different thresholds and agencies. FBAR (FinCEN 114): $10,000 aggregate threshold, filed with Treasury, separate from tax return, due April 15. Form 8938 (FATCA): $200,000-$600,000 thresholds (higher for expats), filed with IRS as part of tax return, includes more asset types. Many expats must file BOTH. We determine your requirements and file all necessary forms.
Can I deduct foreign housing costs?
Yes, through foreign housing exclusion/deduction. You can exclude foreign housing costs exceeding base amount ($18,000 for 2024) from income, on top of FEIE. Includes rent, utilities (not phone/TV), parking, furniture rental. Max exclusion varies by location – higher in expensive cities like London, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore. Self-employed use deduction instead. We maximize housing exclusion based on your specific location and costs.
What are PFIC rules for foreign mutual funds?
Yes, we prepare prior year returns for any year back to 2018, handle amended returns when errors are discovered, and assist with IRS payment plans for back taxes. Critical for businesses that missed filing deadlines, discovered errors, or changed entity types. Pricing: $400-800+ per year depending on complexity.
Do I qualify for bona fide residence test?
How does self-employment tax work for expats?
Self-employed expats (freelancers, consultants, business owners) pay 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings, even while living abroad. FEIE doesn’t eliminate SE tax, only income tax. However, US has totalization agreements with 30 countries (UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.) to avoid double social tax. If covered by foreign social system, often exempt from US SE tax with certificate of coverage. We optimize SE tax burden.
Can I contribute to IRA while living abroad?
What happens if I renounce US citizenship?
Expatriation triggers exit tax if you’re “covered expatriate” (net worth $2M+, or avg annual tax $201,000+ over 5 years, or non-compliant with 5 years taxes/certifications). Exit tax treats all assets as sold (mark-to-market), with $866,000 exclusion (2024). Ongoing reporting of US-source income, inheritance restrictions. We advise on expatriation tax consequences and alternatives before you renounce. This is permanent and complex – seek professional advice.
Ready for Expert US Expat Tax Preparation?
Join 500+ Americans living abroad who trust OptimizeTax for complete expat tax filing with FEIE optimization, FBAR compliance, and international tax expertise. Whether you’re in London, Berlin, Dubai, Tokyo, or anywhere worldwide – we ensure full IRS compliance while minimizing your US tax burden.