Expat taxes seem to be a fast-moving target these days. For US citizens, the IRS is making changes and imposing absurdly punitive penalties if you don’t dot every I and cross every T properly.
Since this is the time every year when Americans at home and abroad have to pull together their financial information for the previous year and prepare their tax returns, I thought I’d offer a little assistance.
Americans file with the IRS on April 15 every year. As an expat, you’re entitled to an automatic extension. However, as the parent of a college student I have to get mine does ASAP in order to fill out the financial aid forms for my daughter.
This year, for the first time since about 1980, I will not be preparing my own tax return. I’m doing this for two reasons:
- This is my first year filing as an expat, so I want to be sure it’s done right and I understand the process
- I want to be absolutely sure all the forms are completed properly. I’m just not in the mood for a $10,000 penalty if I don’t fill out a form correctly
If you’re concerned about the rapidly changing demands of the IRS on expat tax filers, handing your expat tax preparation off to a professional might be the cheapest way to go in the long run.
If you decide to do so, here’s a list of tax preparers who specialize in handling tax preparation for expats. Please note that this is not an endorsement — to date, I’ve not used any of them. It’s simply a list I put together — in no particular order — in hopes it might help some of you.
Some of their websites include blogs with useful information as well.
Expatriate Tax Returns (includes blog). Company owner Diane Siriani has written a couple of guest posts here and here. If you decide to use her service, please use coupon code EXPAT2-Future!
Artio Partners (includes blog)
Bright Tax (includes blog, and they also offer a moderately priced review service if you want to prepare your own taxes but have an expert look them over)
Taxes for Expats (includes blog)
And would you do something for me? If you decide to use any of these CPAs, let me know how you like them so I’ll have a better idea who to recommend in future.
Help other expats out by sharing this list. It’s easy to share on Facebook, Twitter and other social sites — just scroll down and click the appropriate icon under “Sharing is Caring.”
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Just wanted to add one more to your list – taxplannercpa.com. Comprehensive tax info on both the site itself, and the blog, and you can get a free online quote from a real person (response within 48 hours). Check it out!
Thanks for this informative article and the links to tax preparers. It’s good to know that I’m not alone in being worried about filing taxes as an overseas foreign resident. It’s easy to just give up and get behind on taxes. From what I’ve researched, US expat tax law changes often and is difficult to navigate through. Like you, I’ve also decided to go with a professional during my time abroad instead of filing my own taxes. The IRS has several programs specifically for citizens residing abroad, but it’s not always clear which one is most suitable. I’m familiar with some of the preparers on your list, like Taxes for Expats. I’ll definitely be taking a closer look at the list and going with one of these tax professionals. I have no desire to take up this task on my own; as you mentioned, one or two mistakes can literally cost you.