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Expatriate Tax Returns

Expat Filing Requirements

10 Things Every Expat Should Know About Filing U.S. Taxes

U.S. expats are still required to file their taxes. If you have fallen behind, don’t worry, we can help.

Know Your Obligations – There are income thresholds and other factors that apply to expats.  Make sure you know what you are obligated to file to avoid an audit.

Note:  Most U.S. expats owe no money, but all are obligated to file.

  • Gather Your Documentation – Gather all your necessary documentation including prior tax returns, income records, interest records, benefits payments, and other tax materials. Having it all together will make it easier to prepare your taxes.
  • Understand Your Tax Forms – Research the process and make sure you are aware of all forms that apply to your situation.
  • Don’t Forget to File Your FBAR – If your aggregate account total is over $10,000 at any point, you will need to file Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR), which is FinCEN Form 8938.
  • Know FATCA Requirements – You may need to report additional foreign accounts using the FinCEN form 114. Individuals with $200,000 on the last day of the tax year or $300,000 at any point during the year are required. For married couples filing jointly, the threshold is $400,000 and $600,000 respectively.
  • Catch Up with Streamlined Filing Procedures – Streamlined Filing Procedures are available to help those who failed to file their taxes for non-willful reasons.
  • File Your PFICs – Passive Foreign Investment Corporations (PFICs) include money market accounts, insurance products, and mutual funds. These may need to be filed using a Form 8621.
  • Avoid the Passport Revocation Law – If you owe over $50,000 to the IRS, you could be subject to the Passport Revocation Law.
  • Longer Audit Periods – The IRS increased the audit period from three to six years. Failure to file will increase your chances of an audit during this time frame.
  • Do Your State Tax Return – If you have connections to a U.S. state, know the filing requirements. You may have to file state taxes. Connections include possession of a mortgage, voter registration, or driver’s license.

If you have questions about filing your expat taxes, let us know. Expatriate Tax Returns provide solutions to help you stay legal, up-to-date, and make tax filing EASY for expats.

Expats 2019 Tax Filing Deadlines

Expats should plan to file on time to avoid tax-related headaches. Knowing when documents are due ahead of time will help you prepare. Don’t wait any longer. Instead, get acquainted with the 2019 U.S. tax deadlines for expats listed below.

  • Filing Deadline – Monday, April 15th, 2019

Most U.S. citizens recognize April 15th as Tax Day. This is the deadline for filing Federal Tax Returns. It’s also the deadline for filing your Foreign Bank Account Reports (FBAR). If you pay taxes in Maine or Massachusetts, then your filing deadline is April 17th because of the observation of Patriot’s Day and Emancipation Day.

  • Expat Extension Deadline – Monday, June 17th, 2019

It’s always recommended to plan to meet the earliest deadlines. However, if you are running behind, you can take advantage of an automatic extension available to expats. The extended deadline is June 17th. Interest will begin to accrue on any amount owed starting April 15th, so it is best to file sooner rather than later.

  • Final Expat Deadline – Tuesday, October 15th, 2019

If you filed for a final extension, then your expat taxes will be due by October 15th. You must have all forms including FATCA, FBAR, and other documents submitted by this date. You must submit your request by June 17th to utilize the final deadline.

With changes in tax law and a process that can be complicated, all expats are advised to prepare and file their taxes as early as possible. Don’t rely on extended deadlines. Expatriate Tax Services can help ensure that you file correctly and on time. Contact us today to learn more about filing your US taxes as an expat.

3 Major Myths About Expat Tax Filing

YOU DON’T HAVE TO FILE A US TAX RETURN BECAUSE YOU LIVE ABROAD

Not so!  US citizens and permanent residents must file a tax return no matter where they live or earn money, unless they do not meet the standard filing requirements.

IF YOUR FOREIGN INCOME IS BELOW THE FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION, FILING IN THE US IS NOT REQUIRED.

Totally false!  Although the FEIE (foreign earned income exclusion) allows expats to exclude $104,100 (2018) of their income, a return must be filed to claim this benefit.  Often times this exclusion is disallowed by the IRS if you wait too long to claim the benefit, so it makes good sense to file your return on time.

INCOME EARNED OFFSHORE IS NOT REPORTED ON YOUR US TAX RETURN.

Wrong!  US citizens and permanent residents must report their worldwide income on their annual filing which includes: compensation, business income, sale of assets, interest, dividends, and any other monies earned no matter how or where.

Contact us for complete answers to your expat tax questions!

TRUMPS TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) and THE EXPAT

Expatriate Tax Returns Trumps TCIA and the Expat Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Originally it was thought the tax relief was on the horizon for expats when President Trump’s new tax program was put into law, but the reality is that nothing is really different from the new rules that apply to all US taxpayers:

  • Tax Brackets
  • Standard Deduction
  • Personal Exemptions
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Mortgage Interest Deduction
  • State and Local Tax Deductions

The major change regarding international taxpayers is how Controlled Foreign Corporations are handled. Trump’s tax reform details a new category of corporate income called the Global Intangibles Low-Taxed Income (or GILTI), that requires recognition of a percentage of previously deferred foreign earnings and is now taxed as Subpart F income.

Current undistributed retained earnings are taxed at 15.5%, if held in liquid assets, and 8% if held in illiquid assets. This is a one-time tax and can be paid over 8 years.

Starting with your 2018 Corporate Tax Filing, everything is Subpart F Earnings.  Any income in excess of $102, 100 (or $204,200 if your spouse is active in the business) will be taxed at ordinary income rates.

Questions regarding your unique situation can be directed to Expatriatetaxreturns.com.

Expatriate Tax Returns is Grateful For You

It’s hard to believe that the year 2018 is almost over. It’s been a wonderful year for us at Expatriate Tax Returns and a time for reflection. While we have been serving American expats for many years, we still think of our company as a startup. The reason is that it keeps us thinking in innovative ways. Expatriate taxes are constantly changing for American citizens working abroad and we see it as our mission to keep ourselves a few steps ahead of the pace.

Our expat tax strategies are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our expatriate clients. The recent Thanksgiving holiday gave us at Expatriate Tax Returns a chance to count our blessings. We are so very grateful for our many clients, who are living and working in interesting countries throughout the world. We thank you for putting your trust in our tax preparers to prepare your expat tax.

 

expat tax services

 

Ensuring that the expat tax returns for thousands of clients around the world are complete and thorough is quite an undertaking for our team, but it’s our reason for existing. We take tax prep very seriously and take great pride in keeping apprised of the many recent changes in IRS tax rules for expatriates. The gratitude we receive when a client is satisfied with their expat tax preparation reminds us that what we do really makes a difference. It gives our clients peace of mind.

During the winter holiday season, we gave thanks for all the good that we have in our lives. Everyone at Expatriate Tax Returns is grateful for you — our clients. We wish you a joyous and blessed holiday season and a successful ending to 2018. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding your expatriate tax preparation.

The Importance of Tax Specialization

 

There are a lot of tax firms that are good at a lot of different areas when it comes to tax preparation. And then there is Expatriate Tax Returns. We’re very good at one area… expat taxes. That is what we focus on. Nothing else.

With so many tax preparers out there, you need to be sure of the type of firm you are hiring. Many tax firms are not accustomed to dealing with the complexities of expatriate tax returns for Americans living abroad and that may mean less money refunded on your tax return, or more tax you will have to pay that you actually should not.

 

 

We specialize in expat taxes and we have the years of experience that give us a considerable edge in this category of tax preparation. You can see from the client testimonials on our website that our clients recognize we are in our own category when it comes to preparing tax returns for American expatriates. We truly understand all of the deductions and credits that you, our expat client, may be eligible for. We will not allow you to pay one cent more than you owe.

At Expatriate Tax Returns, we are efficient, quick and honest. We will work with you either via video chat, email or the phone. This high level of communication allows you the flexibility and convenience of filing your taxes securely from anywhere in the world. Contact us today to see why we’re the #1 expat tax firm.