Working with an Tax Advisor/Preparer
Preparing
It’s best to be as prepared as possible before you’re ready to fill out the forms, or go to an advisor or tax preparer if you are using an expert, to file your taxes. Here are some resource lists to get you started.
FAWCO Tax Laundry List PDF (60KB)
This is a compiled summary of tax related information needed for you and your children to file their US tax return and other necessary forms.
10 tips to help you choose a tax preparer, a quick guide by the IRS.
Tax 101 FAQs for expats from a former sponsor.
What's New in 2023 from FAWCO sponsor MyExpatTaxes.
Self-Prepared Returns
Among a few options to prepare your own tax returns, you can file electronically using IRS Free File. *
"What Is IRS Free File?"
"The IRS Free File Program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and many tax preparation and filing software industry companies who provide their online tax preparation and filing for free. It provides two ways for taxpayers to prepare and file their federal income tax online for free:
- Guided Tax Preparation provides free online tax preparation and filing at an IRS partner site. Our partners deliver this service at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Taxpayers whose AGI is $73,000 or less qualify for a free federal tax return.
- Free File Fillable Forms are electronic federal tax forms, equivalent to a paper 1040 form. You should know how to prepare your own tax return using form instructions and IRS publications if needed. It provides a free option to taxpayers whose income (AGI) is greater than $73,000."
Here is a link for more information on Free File.
Here is a link specific to US Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad for filing taxes on the IRS website.
* Per the IRS, this option will be especially attractive to taxpayers living and working abroad as most can claim the foreign earned income exclusion; and, because the $73,000 income limit applies after the exclusion of up to $112,000 per person (for 2022) and $120,000 (for 2023) is subtracted, this effectively makes FreeFile available even to many higher-income taxpayers.
It’s available each year by January 31, just go to www.irs.gov/freefile.
US taxes: E-filing from overseas
ExpatForum post about the online filing options, including those for Americans and green card holders with a foreign address. They are:
- Free file - highlights the companies (about 5 for 2022) who will help those to free file however it appears that none will help those with a foreign address
- Free file fillable forms (though does not work for those with a foreign address)
- E-file with commercial software
- E-filing through a paid preparer
