Expat Tax FAQ
To help you prepare for your US expat taxes, we created this list of frequent expat tax questions we often get from new clients.
Questions about the Process
The easiest way to get started is to contact us to set up a consultation. In this consultation we will discuss your tax situation and a provide you with a recommendation and free quote. The consultation is completely free. Schedule a Consultation
Yes, it is. It might even be safer than handling paper documents. Even the IRS prefers electronic filing for most instances. We understand that many people are apprehensive about sharing their personal information through an online platform. To protect your information and ensure that it is completely confidential, Online Taxman uses high 256 bit security encryption and multiple safety features designed into our client portal. As a client, you will open a (free) account within our secure online client portal. This is where you upload your tax documents. We do not share personal and financial information via email, which is not safe. Instead we handle all documents in the encrypted client portal, which is easy-to-use and safe.
Once we received all the tax documents and the initial payment from you, it will take us about 2 weeks to fill out your tax return. In that time we also review it internally with another CPA to ensure that everything is complete. If you send us additional documents later or change information, it will of course add to the timeline and potentially the cost. We will file your tax return after you reviewed everything, made the final payment and give us the green light to e-file.
Our pricing is transparent and fixed, so you won’t be surprised by a bill later. Our standard expat tax package starts at USD 550 for an individual federal tax return filing with standard forms. But keep in mind that each situation is unique. You may need additional forms or services, for example late filings. During the consultation we will assess your specific needs and provide you with a fixed accurate quote.
In addition to the tax return and standard forms, our price always includes the following
- Tax planning throughout the year
- Free Review of prior 3 years tax returns
- Assistance with questions from the IRS
- 30 day money back guarantee
In most cases, we can e-file your tax return on your behalf. In some cases however, for example for late filings using the streamlined process, the IRS doesn’t allow for e-filing because they require a “wet” signature from you. If we can't e-file, we provide you with detailed instructions for printing, labeling, signing, and mailing your returns in paper form. The only way we could file those paper returns on your behalf would be if you give us power of attorney to do so.
You can pay by credit card, debit card, bank transfer or PayPal. When a payment is due, we send you a link that makes paying easy and safe. We ask for payment in two installments: The first payment is due before we get started on your return. The second and final payment must be made once the return is completed, before it will be filed.
Taxes can be very personal, so we understand how important it is to get to know and love your CPA. You will meet your CPA first during the consultation via phone. Since our clients and our expat CPAs are usually not located in the same city or even country, meetings are held via Skype. Doing your taxes online does not mean that you won’t be able to talk to your CPA. It is easy to schedule a free Skype call if you want to go over some questions you may have.
For more details about how we work with our clients, check out Our Process.
Questions about Expat Taxes
We thought about creating a FAQ about expat taxes. But frankly, there are so many specific expat tax questions we get asked.
To give a satisfying answer for even the top 10 questions in the short format of a FAQ is difficult. Instead we answer many of those questions in detail on our blog. You can search the blog for specific topics or browse by category.
Sign up for our newsletter to get notified about new publications and other expat tax news.
About the Process
The easiest way to get started is to contact us to set up a consultation. In this consultation we will discuss your tax situation and a provide you with a recommendation and free quote. The consultation is completely free. Schedule a Consultation
Yes, it is. It might even be safer than handling paper documents. Even the IRS prefers electronic filing for most instances. We understand that many people are apprehensive about sharing their personal information through an online platform. To protect your information and ensure that it is completely confidential, Online Taxman uses high 256 bit security encryption and multiple safety features designed into our client portal. As a client, you will open a (free) account within our secure online client portal. This is where you upload your tax documents. We do not share personal and financial information via email, which is not safe. Instead we handle all documents in the encrypted client portal, which is easy-to-use and safe.
Once we received all the tax documents and the initial payment from you, it will take us about 2 weeks to fill out your tax return. In that time we also review it internally with another CPA to ensure that everything is complete. If you send us additional documents later or change information, it will of course add to the timeline and potentially the cost. We will file your tax return after you reviewed everything, made the final payment and give us the green light to e-file.
Our pricing is transparent and fixed, so you won’t be surprised by a bill later. Our standard expat tax package starts at USD 550 for an individual federal tax return filing with standard forms. But keep in mind that each situation is unique. You may need additional forms or services, for example late filings. During the consultation we will assess your specific needs and provide you with a fixed accurate quote.
In addition to the tax return and standard forms, our price always includes the following
- Tax planning throughout the year
- Free Review of prior 3 years tax returns
- Assistance with questions from the IRS
- 30 day money back guarantee
In most cases, we can e-file your tax return on your behalf. In some cases however, for example for late filings using the streamlined process, the IRS doesn’t allow for e-filing because they require a “wet” signature from you. If we can't e-file, we provide you with detailed instructions for printing, labeling, signing, and mailing your returns in paper form. The only way we could file those paper returns on your behalf would be if you give us power of attorney to do so.
You can pay by credit card, debit card, bank transfer or PayPal. When a payment is due, we send you a link that makes paying easy and safe. We ask for payment in two installments: The first payment is due before we get started on your return. The second and final payment must be made once the return is completed, before it will be filed.
Taxes can be very personal, so we understand how important it is to get to know and love your CPA. You will meet your CPA first during the consultation. Since our clients and our expat CPAs are usually not located in the same city or even country, meetings are held via Skype. Doing your taxes online does not mean that you won’t be able to talk to your CPA. It is easy to set up a free Skype call if you want to go over some questions you may have.
For more details about how we work with our clients, check out Our Process.
About Expat Taxes
We thought about creating a FAQ about expat taxes. But frankly, there are so many specific expat tax questions we get asked.
To give a satisfying answer for even the top 10 questions in the short format of a FAQ is difficult. Instead we answer many of those questions in detail on our blog. You can search the blog for specific topics or browse by category.
Sign up for our newsletter to get notified about new publications and other expat tax news.
