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Average refund of $3,200 for expat clients

Dedicated support throughout the process

Who Needs to File?

Any U.S. citizen or green card holder must file a U.S. tax return each year if their gross worldwide income is above the IRS filing threshold, even if they live abroad. This is because the U.S. taxes based on citizenship, not residency.

U.S. Citizens Abroad

Dual Citizens

Green Card Holders

Military & Government
Employees Abroad

Core Expat Tax Services

IRS Filing Threshold

Unlike most other countries, the US taxes its citizens and green card holders on worldwide income, even if it’s earned abroad. As an American expat, you are still subject to the same tax rules as those living in the US. This means you must file a US expat tax return and meet your US tax obligations if your global income exceeds the annual filing thresholds for your status:

Single filers: $14,600

Married Filing Jointly: $29,200

Self-Employed: $400

Married Filing Separately: $5

Head of Household: $21,900

Even if you never set foot in the US during the year and earned all of your income abroad, you still must file a US tax return and pay taxes on your US taxable income if your income exceeds the minimum filing threshold. This includes not only your wage or self-employment income but also interest, dividends, capital gains and rental income, regardless of where the income was sourced—US or foreign.

Key Components of US Expat Tax Preparation

US expat tax preparation involves more than simply filing a tax return. It requires careful consideration of your income, location, and eligibility for special exclusions and credits designed to help Americans living abroad avoid double taxation. Here are the key components of preparing a US expat tax return.

Form 1040 - US Individual Income Tax Return

At the heart of US expat tax preparation is IRS Form 1040, which every US citizen, regardless of location, must file annually.

This form is used to report all sources of income, both from the US and abroad. For Americans living abroad, Form 1040 is supplemented by additional forms that allow you to claim exclusions and credits to reduce your tax liability. Failing to file this form can lead to penalties, even if you owe no taxes, so it’s essential to ensure it’s completed correctly.

Form 2555 - Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

One of the most significant benefits available to US expats is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) , which allows you to exclude up to a certain amount of foreign-earned income from US taxation. For the 2024 tax year, this exclusion is up to $126,500 per individual. To qualify for the FEIE, you must meet one of two residency tests:

Physical Presence Test: You must be outside the US for at least 330 days within a 12-month period.

Bona Fide Residence Test: You must establish that you are a bona fide resident of a foreign country for an entire tax year.

Claiming the FEIE is essential to reducing your US expat tax burden, especially if you’re working and earning income abroad. The exclusion is claimed using Form 2555 , which must be attached to your US expat tax return.

Form 1116 - Foreign Tax Credit

If you pay taxes to a foreign government on your income, you can also benefit from the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC). This credit allows you to offset your US tax liability by the amount of taxes paid to a foreign country. This is especially useful for Americans living in countries with higher tax rates than the US, as it can prevent double taxation on the same income.

To claim the FTC, you must file Form 1116 along with your US expat tax return. It’s important to calculate your foreign taxes accurately and ensure that the credit is applied correctly to avoid overpaying or underpaying taxes.

What's included in our US Expat Tax Preparation Package?

Basic US Expat Tax Return Package

2025 US Tax Filing Deadlines and Extensions

The standard deadline for filing US tax returns is April 15th. However, for Americans living abroad, an automatic extension is granted, allowing them until June 15th to file their returns. For the 2024 US tax return, which needs to be submitted in 2025, the US tax deadline for Americans in the US is on April 15, 2025. Meanwhile, Americans living abroad have an automatic two-month extension allowing them to submit the 2024 US tax return until June 16, 2025.

If further time is needed beyond the automatic extension, US expats can request an additional extension . This additional extension is obtained by filing IRS Form 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File US Individual Income Tax Return.” This form grants an additional extension of up to four months, moving the filing deadline to October 15th.

However, it’s important to remember that this extension only applies to the filing of the tax return itself. Any tax liability must still be paid by the original April 15th deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

Send us a message and we will file an extension for you.

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Understanding and managing US tax obligations while living abroad is essential for American expatriates. By staying informed about residency status, filing deadlines, available exclusions and credits, and reporting requirements, expats can navigate the tax landscape with confidence. Seeking professional advice can further enhance compliance and help optimize tax outcomes, ensuring financial peace of mind for those living far from home.

Here at Universal Tax Professionals, our team of CPAs and IRS Enrolled Agents specialize in providing a wide range of US expat tax services. We are ready to handle all of your US filing obligations and help minimize your worldwide tax burden, no matter where in the world you are.

Why Expat Choose Us

Experts in U.S. Expat Taxes

We specialize in helping Americans living abroad navigate complex IRS rules, ensuring you stay compliant while minimizing your tax burden.

Personalized CPA Attention

You work directly with experienced CPAs who understand your unique situation—not a generic call center.

Global Accessibility

Wherever you are in the world, we make filing easy with secure online document sharing and virtual consultations.

Comprehensive Tax Advice and Planning

As part of our service packages, we offer not only tax preparation but also strategic tax planning to help your minimize your tax burden.

Our Process

Email or Call Us

Reach out via email, phone or our website we’re here to help with your expat tax questions.

Complete Our Questionnaire and Send Your Documents

We will send you our price list, client questionnaire, and…

Tax Preparation

The preparation process usually takes two-three weeks to complete. Throughout this period, you can contact your tax accountant if you have any questions.

Review & Pay

We will send you a draft copy of the return for review. We will make adjustments if necessary. You will only need to pay us once the return is completed.

You’re Done

Once everything is complete, we will either e-file your return or we will send you a copy to sign and mail to the IRS.

FAQs

Individual US Tax Preparation

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Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures

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FATCA Reporting

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Amended Tax Return

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Ready to File Your State Tax Return?

Whether you’re uncertain about your state tax requirements or know you need to file, Universal Tax Professionals is here to guide you every step of the way.

Our expat tax experts specialize in navigating the complexities of state taxes for Americans abroad. With our seamless, secure, and efficient service, you can file with confidence—knowing your obligations are met and your peace of mind is protected.