Best US Expat Tax Firm

Generally, yes. U.S. citizens and resident aliens may have a U.S. filing obligation even while living overseas, because the United States taxes qualifying worldwide income. Filing requirements depend on factors such as income, filing status, self-employment earnings, foreign accounts, and available exclusions or credits. A careful review helps identify required forms and avoid missed international reporting obligations.

FBAR is the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, filed electronically with FinCEN rather than attached to a federal tax return. A U.S. person generally must file when the combined value of foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. Accounts can include bank, investment, pension, or signature-authority accounts, depending on the facts.

FATCA reporting typically refers to Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, which may be required with a federal income tax return when foreign assets exceed applicable thresholds. Those thresholds vary by filing status and whether the taxpayer lives in the United States or abroad. Form 8938 and FBAR are separate filings, and one requirement does not replace the other.

Yes. Delinquent returns can often be prepared and filed, but the right approach depends on your income, foreign accounts, prior filing history, potential penalties, and any IRS notices. Filing late returns should be coordinated with an overall compliance strategy, especially where international information returns are involved. Assured Financial Services evaluates unfiled returns alongside potential IRS resolution options.

Yes. An IRS Enrolled Agent is federally licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and has unlimited practice rights before the IRS. That authority allows an EA to represent taxpayers on federal tax matters, including communications, audits, appeals, and resolution work. Assured Financial Services can provide this support remotely for clients located in the United States and internationally.

Foreign tax credits and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion can help reduce double taxation, but they apply differently and require careful coordination. Eligibility may depend on tax home, physical presence or bona fide residence, earned versus unearned income, foreign taxes paid, housing costs, and treaty considerations. Choosing an approach without reviewing the full tax picture can limit future planning flexibility.

Bring prior U.S. tax returns, IRS notices, income records, foreign tax returns, details of foreign bank and investment accounts, and information about businesses, trusts, pensions, or real estate outside the United States. Include the dates you lived abroad and any taxes paid to another country. Complete records allow for a more accurate assessment of filing and reporting obligations.

Do not ignore an IRS notice. Review its response deadline, preserve all related records, and avoid submitting incomplete information that could complicate the matter. Depending on the notice, the issue may involve a return adjustment, missing form, audit inquiry, penalty, or collection action. An IRS Enrolled Agent can assess the notice and communicate with the IRS through authorized representation.