US expat tax returns
Form 1040, state returns where required, FEIE, Foreign Tax Credit, and treaty analysis.
US expat tax · education for Americans abroad
Understand your US tax obligations while living overseas
US citizens and green-card holders abroad still must file US returns: Form 1040, FBAR, FATCA, and Streamlined catch-up if you are behind. Send your details and a CPA or Enrolled Agent will review your situation and reply by email.
- U.S. CPAs & IRS Enrolled Agents Your inquiry is reviewed by federally licensed tax professionals with decades of expat experience.
- Thousands of expats, 46 countries The team has guided many thousands of Americans abroad into US tax compliance.
- The full expat picture Returns, FBAR, FATCA, and Streamlined catch-up, not just a 1040.
How it works
- Share your situation through the secure form.
- A CPA or Enrolled Agent at Capital Tax Limited reviews it.
- You get a quote and clear next steps by email.
What we cover
FBAR reporting
FinCEN 114 when foreign account balances cross the $10,000 threshold.
FATCA Form 8938
Specified foreign financial assets reported to the IRS when limits apply.
Streamlined filing
IRS catch-up for qualifying non-willful expats, partner eligibility at Streamlined Amnesty.
Countries we serve
US federal tax preparation for Americans in 36 countries. Each country guide covers the tax treaty and withholding rates, totalization (Social Security) rules, retirement-account treatment, worked examples, and the mistakes expats make.
Central Asia4
Oceania2
Guides
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
Exclude up to $130,000 of foreign earned income (2025) under IRC §911.
Bona fide residence & physical presence
The two residency tests that qualify you for the FEIE.
Accidental American obligations
Born a US citizen abroad and never filed? What you owe and how to fix it.
Common questions
Do US citizens living abroad have to file a US tax return?
Yes. The US taxes citizens and green-card holders on worldwide income wherever they live, so moving abroad does not end your filing obligation. Deductions like the FEIE and the Foreign Tax Credit often reduce the tax owed to $0, but you usually must still file to claim them.
Read the full answer →What is foreign earned income?
Foreign earned income is pay for personal services you perform abroad: wages, salary, professional fees, and self-employment income. It does not include passive income such as interest, dividends, rental income, or pensions, and only earned income qualifies for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
Read the full answer →What is the difference between FBAR and Form 8938?
The FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is filed separately with FinCEN when your foreign financial accounts exceed $10,000 in aggregate at any time. Form 8938 is filed with your Form 1040 under FATCA at higher thresholds. They overlap but are different filings, so many expats must file both.
Read the full answer →Are FATCA reporting thresholds different for expats?
Yes. Form 8938 thresholds are much higher for taxpayers living abroad: $200,000 on the last day of the year or $300,000 at any time for single filers, and double those amounts for married filing jointly, versus the lower domestic thresholds.
Read the full answer →Who might qualify for IRS Streamlined filing?
Taxpayers whose failure to file was non-willful may use the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures: three years of returns plus six years of FBARs. The Foreign Offshore track carries a 0% penalty for those who were outside the US 330+ days in a covered year with no US abode.
Read the full answer →Who operates this site
Living in Asia?
Country-specific filing context for Americans in APAC is on US Tax Asia.