Expat & International Tax
U.S. tax returns for Americans abroad and foreign nationals in the U.S., including FBAR, FATCA and foreign income exclusions.
How BATS handles expat & international tax
The United States taxes its citizens and green-card holders on worldwide income wherever they live, and foreign bank accounts bring their own reporting rules with steep penalties. We prepare returns for Americans overseas and for foreign nationals with U.S. income, and we handle the international disclosures alongside them.
We work with clients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., so state-specific rules are covered whether you are in one state or several.
Who this is for
- U.S. citizens and green-card holders living abroad
- Foreign nationals working or investing in the U.S.
- Anyone with foreign bank, brokerage or pension accounts
- Owners of foreign corporations or partnerships
- People who are behind on expat filings
Everything covered in this service
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555)
Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
FBAR filing (FinCEN Form 114)
FATCA reporting (Form 8938)
Foreign company and trust reporting (Forms 5471, 8865, 3520)
Streamlined filing procedures for catching up
The paperwork behind expat & international tax
| Form 2555 | Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and foreign housing exclusion |
|---|---|
| Form 1116 | Foreign Tax Credit |
| FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) | Report of foreign bank and financial accounts |
| Form 8938 | Statement of specified foreign financial assets (FATCA) |
| Form 5471 / 8865 | Information returns for interests in foreign corporations and partnerships |
| Form 3520 / 3520-A | Foreign trusts and large foreign gifts or inheritances |
| Form 8621 | Passive foreign investment companies, such as most foreign mutual funds |
| Form 1040-NR | Return for nonresident aliens with U.S. income |
What we'll need from you
Have these ready and your first meeting goes much faster. Don't worry if something is missing; we'll help you find it.
- Passport and travel dates for the year
- Foreign payslips and annual tax statements
- Foreign tax returns and assessment notices
- Highest balance during the year for each foreign account
- Foreign pension and investment fund statements
- Housing costs if you claim the housing exclusion
How it works, step by step
Residency and status check
We confirm your filing status and which tests you meet for exclusions.
Account inventory
We list every foreign account and asset that must be reported.
Choose the best method
We compare the exclusion and the foreign tax credit and use whichever lowers your tax.
File returns and disclosures
We file the return, the FBAR and any information forms together.
Why clients choose BATS for expat & international tax
Reviewed line by line
Every return is checked against your documents and last year's return before it's filed.
Every state covered
Federal, state and local returns prepared together so nothing is missed or taxed twice.
Planning built in
We flag next year's savings opportunities while we prepare this year's return.
Help after filing
If the IRS or a state sends a letter about a return we prepared, we help you answer it.
Expat & International Tax FAQs
12 answers to the questions clients ask us most. Don't see yours? Ask us directly.
Do I need to file if I live abroad?
Yes. U.S. citizens and green-card holders must file when their income is above the filing threshold, even if they owe nothing after exclusions and credits.
When do I need to file an FBAR?
When the combined maximum value of your foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the year.
I have never filed. What now?
The IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures let many taxpayers who did not willfully avoid filing catch up with reduced or no penalties. We assess whether you qualify.
When is my return due if I live abroad?
U.S. citizens living abroad on the regular due date get an automatic two-month extension to June 15, and can extend further to October 15. Interest on any tax owed still runs from April 15.
When is the FBAR due?
The FBAR is due April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15. It is filed separately with FinCEN, not with your tax return.
Why are foreign mutual funds a problem?
Most foreign funds are treated as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), which come with complex reporting on Form 8621 and potentially punitive tax. We help you understand the impact and plan around it.
Can I contribute to an IRA if I use the foreign earned income exclusion?
Only if you have taxable compensation left after the exclusion. Excluded income does not count toward IRA eligibility.
Does a tax treaty mean I don't pay U.S. tax?
Treaties reduce double taxation, but most contain a 'saving clause' that lets the U.S. continue to tax its citizens. The exclusion and foreign tax credit do most of the work.
I'm a foreign national. Am I a U.S. resident for tax purposes?
Possibly. Holding a green card or meeting the substantial presence test, based on days in the U.S. this year and the two previous years, makes you a resident alien taxed on worldwide income.
How much does tax preparation cost?
Fees depend on the forms involved, the number of states and how organised your records are. After a short consultation we give you a written quote before any work starts.
Is my information secure?
Yes. Documents are exchanged through an encrypted client portal, and we follow a written information security plan as the FTC Safeguards Rule requires of tax preparers.
Can you prepare returns for prior years?
Yes. We prepare current and past-year federal and state returns, which is useful if you are catching up or amending.
Often paired with this service
Individual Tax Preparation
Federal and state Form 1040 preparation for W-2 earners, families and investors, filed electronically and reviewed line by line.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionBack Taxes & Unfiled Returns
Catch up on years of unfiled federal and state returns, reduce penalties and get back into good standing.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionIRS Notices & Letters
Fast, accurate responses to IRS and state tax notices such as CP2000, CP14 and identity verification letters.
Learn moreExpat & International Tax in every state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Popular cities
- Birmingham, AL
- Anchorage, AK
- Phoenix, AZ
- Little Rock, AR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Denver, CO
- Bridgeport, CT
- Wilmington, DE
- Jacksonville, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Honolulu, HI
- Boise, ID
- Chicago, IL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Des Moines, IA
- Wichita, KS
- Louisville, KY
- New Orleans, LA
- Portland, ME
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Detroit, MI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Jackson, MS
- Kansas City, MO
- Billings, MT
- Omaha, NE
- Las Vegas, NV
- Manchester, NH
- Newark, NJ
- Albuquerque, NM
- New York City, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Fargo, ND
- Columbus, OH
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Portland, OR
- Philadelphia, PA
- Providence, RI
- Charleston, SC
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Nashville, TN
- Houston, TX
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Burlington, VT
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington
- Charleston, WV
- Milwaukee, WI
- Cheyenne, WY
Get help with expat & international tax
Book a consultation and get a clear plan for your taxes and books, wherever you are in the U.S.