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These questions will help us determine things such as filing status, the state you are filing under, and forms needed to ensure you get the most on your return.
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From calculating your eligible exclusions and deductions, to understanding your worldwide income, living abroad can make filing your taxes difficult. With Taxfyle, getting your taxes done is easier, faster, and cheaper than anywhere else.
These questions will help us determine things such as filing status, the state you are filing under, and forms needed to ensure you get the most on your return.
Just sign your return and you're set to go. Filing has never been so easy.
Just sign your return and you're set to go. Filing has never been so easy.
Just sign your return and you're set to go. Filing has never been so easy.
Taxfyle's network of Pros are all certified, US-based CPAs ready to help you take advantage of every deduction and tax credit you qualify for.
Taxfyle makes filing your taxes affordable regardless of your tax situation, so you can send off your return without worrying about your budget.
When you sign up for Taxfyle, you'll connect with a Pro that is ready to work on your tax return. All you have to do is approve your return when it's done.
No two expats are alike. That's why we'll assign a licensed CPA or EA who's best suited to your unique tax situation and filing needs. With Taxfyle's Audit Protection on your side, all you have to do is sign when it's done.
“Sally Fonner is the most dedicated accountant I have ever had in the past 48 years or so I have paid taxes. Her service describes the total capacity of all degrees of expectation or need one may have in filing taxes. She really is the best at what she does.”
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From deductions and exemptions that are not found on typical returns, to additional reporting requirements, we've got you covered. Our network of licensed CPAs and EAs will help minimize your tax liability and maximize your refunds.
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Yes. All US citizens or residents living abroad must pay taxes based on their worldwide income, which includes all money earned abroad.
Though the standard tax deadline is April 15th every year, US citizens or residents living abroad are automatically granted a two month extension until June 15th.
Yes. Because the United States requires that you pay taxes based on your worldwide income, all income that you earn must be reported to the IRS. However, there are some tax credits and deductions that may help you offset the cost of your taxes.
Most Americans are able to offset the cost of their taxes, such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and/or the Foreign Tax Credit, each of which are subject to their own regulations.
Though you may be paid in a different currency, the IRS requires that you report your income in USD. You can either use the yearly exchange rate, or calculate each payment you received based on the exchange rate for that day.
The tax system in the United States is admittedly complicated for individuals and businesses. But it’s even more complicated if you’re currently living abroad. US expat taxes are typically both intimidating and confusing to people who have never filed them before, but thankfully, they can be simplified with the right system.
In this article, we’ll help you understand the nature of US expat taxes, including who needs to file, when to file, and strategies you should keep in mind during the process.
US Expat Taxes: Everything You Need to KnowIf you think you may need to file US expat taxes, these are some of the things you’ll need to know:
If you make money, you must file: Living abroad doesn’t exempt you from filing a US federal tax return. If you make income anywhere in the world, you’ll be required to file a federal tax return. Source of income include wages and/or salary (from US or non-US sources), interest and dividends from your investments, and rental income. If you’re self-employed, the income threshold is $400, no matter how you choose to file. You may also need to file if you receive certain types of credits or if you owe special taxes.
You probably won’t owe US taxes: Just because you have to file a return doesn’t mean you should expect to owe money. The US has a number of tax deductions, exclusions, and special credits designed to protect people from being taxed twice on the same income. Thanks to things like the Foreign Tax Credit, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, and the Foreign Housing Exclusion, you’ll likely get away with paying zero taxes in the US.
All US expats get a free extension (to June 15): As a US expat, you can pretty much ignore the standard April 15 deadline for federal tax returns; you’ll receive an automatic extension to June 15. That said, if you owe US taxes, you’ll need to pay by April 15 to avoid the possibility of penalties or additional interest. If you were an expat, but you’ve moved back to the US, this extension doesn’t apply: April 15 is your deadline.
You can apply for an additional extension: If you need more time to qualify, or if you need more time to prepare your return, you can also file for an additional extension. To do this, you’ll need to, the application for extension of time to file a US income tax return.
You can correct an erroneous return: If you make a mistake on your tax return, you’ll be able to amend or edit that return, using Form 1040X. It’s best to file this paperwork before the IRS catches the mistake for the sake of simplicity.
Form 2555 will help you lower your taxes: The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) is designed to help you exclude up to $103,900 of foreign income earned from federal US taxation. It’s by far the easiest and most significant way expats can lower their taxes, but it’s optional, and you must fill out Form 2555 to take advantage of it. You may also use Form 2555-EZ for a simpler approach. FEIE will remain active indefinitely for each tax return you file after the initial return.
Form 1116 will help you lower your taxes further: You’ll automatically get some benefits from the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), but you may also want to apply for a (FTC). To do this, you’ll need to fill out Form 116. When you do, you’ll earn a dollar-for-dollar credit on any taxes you pay to a foreign country. In some cases, you’ll get more savings for this than for the optional child tax credit.
You can’t “double dip” with FEIE and FTC: If you exclude $103,900 of your income with the FEIE, but you still have $30,000 remaining, you won’t be able to use the FTC on the $103,900 of income you already excluded; you can only offset the remaining $30,000.
US-earned income isn’t necessarily excluded: Keep in mind that these exclusions are designed for foreign-earned income. If you’re still making money from a US employer or client, that US-earned income may not be excluded.
You have to prove your residency: The IRS doesn’t want people to cheat the system by pretending to live in a foreign country to capitalize on special tax credits. In order to use the FEIE, you have to pass the Physical Presence Test to prove your residency. For starters, you’ll need to prove that you’re physically present in a given country for 330 days of a 365-day period.
FEIE will exempt you from the Affordable Care Act: The Affordable Care Act currently requires that every American citizen have minimum, essential health insurance coverage, or else must pay an individual shared responsibility tax. However, if you qualify for the FEIE, or if you have a US expatriate healthcare plan, you’ll be exempt from these taxes.
Children can get complicated: If you have a US-born child who qualifies as a dependent, you can claim that child as a dependent even when you’re overseas. Oftentimes, this is beneficial, sometimes resulting in a tax refund. If you have a child born to a non-US parent, you may still be able to list that child as a dependent on your US federal tax return. However, if you do this, the child will be considered a US person, and will have a US tax obligation unless they renounce their citizenship as an adult.
You may have to file FBAR: The Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) is an initiative designed to prevent people from hiding money in overseas accounts. If you have foreign bank account holdings that total more than $10,000, you must file this separately from your tax return. The deadline is April 15, in line with the deadline for your tax return.
You may have to file FATCA Form 8938: Similarly, you may have to file Form 8938 from the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). This is similar to FBAR, but you may end up needing to file one, both, or neither.
Renouncing citizenship may not help you: Some US expats attempt to renounce their citizenship to avoid paying taxes. While this is possible, it’s also somewhat complicated. To do this, you must prove US tax compliance for a full 5 years before your date of citizenship renunciation. You may also be subject to an exit tax, depending on your net worth and current income.
If you’re behind, you can catch up: If you’re just now discovering that you might have owed taxes as an expat for the past few years, don’t worry—the IRS is forgiving to expats who don’t understand their tax obligations. As long as you file your previous years’ returns, FBARs, and other paperwork, you can get caught up, oftentimes without penalties.
You may also be required to file a state-level return: We’ve spent most of this guide talking about your federal-level income tax return, but depending on your state of former residence, you may also be required to file a state-level tax return.
Getting Help With US Expat Taxes: Are you still confused about expat taxes? Are you looking for a solution that can help you file your taxes abroad? Taxfyle can help. Contact us today, or start your taxes immediately with Taxfyle! We make US expat taxes easy.
