Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals offer many of the same core tax services for Americans living abroad. The real difference is structure: Greenback’s larger, standardized process is built for scale, while Universal Tax Professionals’ smaller size is what makes a more situational, planning-inclusive approach to each client possible.
Americans abroad comparing expat tax firms usually end up looking at Greenback and Universal Tax Professionals side by side. Both have been in the expat tax space for years, both staff licensed accountants, and both cover the forms that come up most often for expats.
Greenback Expat Tax Services operates with a larger, standardized process built to serve a high volume of expats.
Universal Tax Professionals uses a smaller, more personalized team and offers bookkeeping and broader accounting services for individuals and business owners who need ongoing financial support.
For American expats, the better choice largely depends on whether you prefer a structured tax preparation process or a more personalized relationship that can extend into tax planning, bookkeeping, and accounting support.
Key Takeaways: Greenback Expat Tax Services vs. Universal Tax Professionals
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Both firms cover the core expat tax needs. Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals handle individual U.S. returns, FBAR, FATCA, Streamlined Filing, and more complex international and business tax filings.
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Greenback Expat Tax Services stands out for structure and scale. Its larger network and standardized process can be a good fit for individuals who prefer predictable steps, clearly defined services, and an established online tax preparation process.
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Universal Tax Professionals offers a more personalized, broader service model. Its smaller team focuses on the client’s overall financial situation and can combine tax preparation with tax planning, bookkeeping, and other accounting services.
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The right choice depends on the level of support you want. Greenback Expat Tax Services may appeal to individuals who prefer a structured tax preparation process, while Universal Tax Professionals may be better suited to those who want a closer accountant relationship and support that extends beyond filing an annual tax return.
Greenback vs. Universal Tax Professionals: Core Details
| Category | Greenback Expat Tax Services | Universal Tax Professionals |
| Founded | by American expats Carrie and David McKeegan | Founded by Josh Katz, CPA, who began as a one-person practice helping expats before growing the firm |
| Team Structure | Larger remote network of CPAs and IRS Enrolled Agents | Smaller, founder-led team focused on closer client relationships |
| Accountant Assignment | One dedicated CPA or IRS Enrolled Agent per client | One dedicated accountant per client who considers the client’s broader tax situation |
| Service Approach | Standardized, structured process designed for scale | Personalized approach based on the individual’s circumstances |
| Bookkeeping & Accounting | Bookkeeping Services paid per hour | Bookkeeping plus broader accounting services, including financial statements, forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis |
| Foreign Country Returns | Coordinated through outside local tax partners | Coordinated through outside local partners for most countries |
| Canadian Returns | Coordinated through an outside Canadian tax partner | US and Canadian returns prepared in-house |
Same Core Taxes, Different Approaches
Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals have considerable overlap when it comes to the tax services individuals may need.
Both firms prepare Form 1040 federal tax returns and help expats use provisions such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion on Form 2555 and the Foreign Tax Credit on Form 1116.
Both also handle common international reporting requirements, including:
- FBAR
- FATCA
- Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures
- Form 5471
- PFIC reporting on Form 8621
- GILTI reporting on Form 8992
- US corporate returns on Form 1120, 1065, and 5472
Both firms also work with licensed CPAs and IRS Enrolled Agents specializing in expat taxation.
So, for most individuals, the decision isn’t about whether one firm can prepare a particular form and the other cannot.
The bigger distinction is how the firm works with the client before, during, and after the return is prepared.
Greenback Expat Services: A Structured, Scalable Process
Greenback Expat Tax Services‘ strength is its established and standardized process.
The company operates with a larger remote network of CPAs and IRS Enrolled Agents. Clients generally create an account, upload their documents, get matched with an accountant, review their completed return, and then authorize filing.
That structure allows Greenback Expat Tax Services to serve a large number of Americans living around the world while maintaining a consistent process.
It can be particularly attractive for individuals who know what they need and want a straightforward online tax preparation experience with clearly defined steps.
Greenback Expat Tax Services also publishes pricing for many of its services, making it easier for individuals to understand how different tax forms and additional services may affect their total cost.
Universal Tax Professionals: A More Personalized Approach
Universal Tax Professionals provides many of the same tax preparation services but approaches the client relationship differently.
Its smaller, founder-led team allows accountants to look beyond a checklist of forms and consider the client’s broader situation.
That might include where the individual lives, how their income is structured, whether they are self-employed, whether they own a foreign business, and whether they are considering a major decision such as moving countries, changing jobs, or selling property.
Each client works with a dedicated accountant who can consider these circumstances as part of the overall tax relationship.
For individuals who want their accountant to understand not only what happened this tax year but also what may happen next, that more personalized approach can be an important distinction.
Want a Closer Look at Your Situation?
If your taxes involve more than a standard annual filing, a dedicated accountant who understands your full financial picture can make a real difference. We offer that kind of personalized support.
Bookkeeping and Accounting Services
Tax preparation isn’t the only consideration for individuals who are self-employed or operate a business abroad. Some clients may also need ongoing bookkeeping and accounting support throughout the year.
Greenback Expat Tax Services provides extensive small-business tax preparation, including support for LLCs, S corporations, C corporations, partnerships, freelancers, and self-employed individuals. Its tax services also cover many of the international reporting requirements that can accompany business ownership abroad.
Universal Tax Professionals extends its services beyond tax preparation by offering bookkeeping and broader accounting support.
Its bookkeeping services can include:
- Recording financial transactions
- Managing accounts payable and accounts receivable
- Bank statement reconciliation
- Monthly financial summaries
Universal Tax Professionals also provides broader accounting support, including:
- Financial statement preparation
- Financial analysis and forecasting
- Budgeting and planning
- Regulatory compliance
This can be particularly useful for self-employed individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners who would rather have their bookkeeping, accounting, tax preparation, and tax planning coordinated through the same firm.
Instead of assembling financial records only when tax season arrives, clients can maintain their books throughout the year and have the same firm use that financial information when preparing taxes and discussing future financial decisions.
For individuals with business interests, this creates another distinction between the two firms: Greenback Expat Tax Services has a strong focus on expat and small-business tax preparation, while Universal Tax Professionals offers a broader combination of tax, bookkeeping, and accounting support.
Running a Business Abroad?
Bookkeeping, accounting, and tax planning don’t have to come from three different providers. We can handle all of it together.
Catching Up on Past-Due US Taxes
Both firms assist Americans abroad who have fallen behind on their US tax obligations.
Eligible taxpayers may be able to use the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures to catch up on previous tax returns and foreign financial account reporting.
Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals both handle Streamlined Filing cases.
Because these situations often require reviewing several years of income, foreign accounts, and filing history, individuals should consider not only the cost of the service but also how much direct guidance they want from their accountant during the process.
FBAR and FATCA Reporting
Both firms also assist individuals with FBAR and FATCA reporting.
These requirements are particularly important for Americans abroad because having bank, investment, or other financial accounts outside the United States can create additional reporting obligations.
Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals can both prepare these filings.
The difference again comes back to service structure. Greenback Expat Tax Services offers a clearly defined process for completing the required reporting, while Universal Tax Professionals emphasizes evaluating those requirements within the client’s broader financial and tax circumstances.
Self-Employed Expats and Business Owners
Freelancers, independent contractors, and business owners living abroad can face additional tax complexity.
Both Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals work with self-employed individuals and can handle more advanced foreign business reporting.
This can include Form 5471 for certain foreign corporations, PFIC reporting on Form 8621, GILTI reporting on Form 8992, and US corporate returns where applicable.
For a business owner, however, tax preparation may be only one part of the financial picture. Decisions about business structure, compensation, residency, expenses, and future plans can affect both personal and business taxes.
This is where Universal Tax Professionals’ combination of services becomes particularly relevant. A business owner may be able to use the same firm for ongoing bookkeeping and accounting, tax preparation, and forward-looking tax planning rather than coordinating between separate providers.
Greenback Expat Tax Services may suit business owners primarily looking for established expat and small-business tax preparation. Universal Tax Professionals may be more suitable for individuals who also want ongoing accounting support surrounding those filings.
Foreign Tax Returns
Neither firm prepares local tax returns in-house for every country.
For most countries, Greenback Expat Tax Services and Universal Tax Professionals coordinate with outside local tax partners when an individual also needs a foreign-country tax return.
There is one notable exception: Canada.
Universal Tax Professionals prepares both US and Canadian tax returns in-house. Greenback Expat Tax Services handles the US return while coordinating Canadian preparation through an outside Canadian tax partner.
For Americans living in Canada, having both returns handled by one company can simplify communication and provide one point of contact for the overall cross-border tax situation.
Which Firm is Better for American Expats
Neither firm is automatically better for every taxpayer.
Greenback Expat Tax Services may be a better fit for individuals who want:
- A larger, established expat tax provider
- A standardized and predictable process
- Clearly defined services and pricing
- A structured online tax preparation experience
- A broad network of expat tax professionals
Universal Tax Professionals may be a better fit for individuals who want:
- A smaller and more personalized tax team
- Bookkeeping and broader accounting support
- Ongoing accounting support for self-employment or business finances
- US and Canadian returns prepared by the same in-house team
For individuals choosing between the two, the deciding question may therefore be less about “Which firm can file my forms?” and more about “How much support do I want beyond filing my tax return?”
Ready to Choose the Right Fit?
Whether you need a straightforward filing or an accountant who plans ahead with you, it helps to talk through your specific situation first. Reach out and see what a personalized approach looks like for you.
