Federal Tax Return Filing
If you’re a US citizen or a Green Card holder, the tax rules follow you wherever you live. You must report your worldwide income on a US tax return, and the filing rules are the same whether you’re in the US or abroad.
Need help filing from overseas? Start your return today.
Updated on February 26, 2026
What is a US federal tax return for expats?
A US federal tax return is the annual report you file with the IRS to declare your worldwide income, even if you live abroad.
Expats file the same Form 1040 as residents, but often need additional schedules and foreign-income forms to make sure income isn’t taxed twice.
Required for all US citizens and Green Card holders living overseas
Based on worldwide income (foreign wages, self-employment, pensions, investments)
Often reduced to zero tax owed through the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or Foreign Tax Credit
Filed separately from FBAR or Form 8938
Who needs to file a US federal tax return while living abroad?
You must file a US tax return if you are any of the following:
- US citizen living abroad
- Green Card holder living abroad
- Accidental American (citizen through birth or parentage)
- Dual citizen
- Remote worker for a US company
- Digital nomad with no fixed tax home
- US person earning self-employment income of US$400 or more
Most expats qualify for exclusions or credits that reduce their US tax to zero, but filing is still mandatory.
Do I need to file a US tax return?
You’ll need to file a 2025 US tax return when your annual worldwide income exceeds these thresholds:
- If you’re single with a total annual income over US$15,750
- If you’re married to an American or a Green Card holder with a joint total annual income over US$31,500
- If you’re married to a non-American and your own total annual income is over US$5
- If you’re Head of Household (Married or Divorced with US dependents) with a total annual income over US$23,625
- If you have any self-employed or freelance income (worldwide) totaling over US$400
What makes expat tax returns more complicated?
Living abroad adds layers that the IRS treats differently from domestic filers.
Why expat filings are more complex:
- Foreign income must be converted to USD
- Different rules apply to foreign housing, employer benefits, and allowances
- You must choose between FEIE or the Foreign Tax Credit
- Foreign bank accounts may trigger FBAR or Form 8938
- Foreign pensions often require special tax treatment
- Self-employed expats still owe US Social Security and Medicare tax
- Investments abroad can be considered PFICs, requiring Form 8621
- Owning a foreign company may trigger Forms 5471 or 8865
Our team handles the complexity so your return is accurate and compliant.
How does the process work from start to finish?
Simple, secure, and built for expats who live overseas.
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1. Start the questionnaire
Answer a few guided questions and upload your documents.
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2. We build your return
An IRS-licensed tax professional reviews your information, applies FEIE or the Foreign Tax Credit, and prepares your full federal return.
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3. Review and approve
You receive a clean, easy-to-read draft. Ask questions anytime.
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4. We file your return
Once you approve it, we e-file your return with the IRS and send confirmation. If your return cannot be e-filed, we’ll give you the exact IRS mailing address.
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5. Ongoing support
If the IRS contacts you, we help explain your return and guide you through the next steps. You get a fully prepared, accurate federal return, without needing to visit the US or read a single IRS form.
E-filing to the IRS
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Secure E-Filing
After you’ve signed your IRS consent form, we’ll electronically file your tax return with the IRS.
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End-to-End Encryption
Your tax data moves through a protected, encrypted pipeline from CCH to the IRS.
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PCI-Compliant Security
Your payments and personal information stay safe with industry-standard PCI compliance.
What IRS forms are included with our standard federal tax return for American expats?
1040 Individual Income Tax Return
SCH-A Itemized Deductions
SCH-B Interest, Ordinary Dividends and Foreign Accounts and Trusts
SCH-C Self-Employment Income
SCH-D Capital Gains and Losses
SCH-E Page 1 Supplemental Income and Loss Page 1 (Rental Real Estate and Royalties)
SCH-E Page 2 Supplemental Income and Loss Page 2 (Partnerships, S Corps, Estates and Trusts – US based)
SCH-8812 Additional Child Tax Credit (refundable)
SCH-EIC Earned Income Credit
SCH-R Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
SCH-SE Self-Employment Tax
1040-ES Estimated Tax for Individuals
2555 Foreign Earned Income
1116 Foreign Tax Credit (Individual, Estate, or Trust)
1116 AMT Foreign Tax Credit Alternative Minimum Tax
8965 Health Coverage Exemptions
2210 Underpayment of Estimated Taxes
2441 Child and Dependent Care Expenses
3903 Moving Expenses for members of the Armed Forces
4137 Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tips
4562 Depreciation and Amortization
5405 Repayment of the First-Time Homebuyer Credit
5754 Statement by Person(s) Receiving Gambling Winnings
6198 At-Risk Limitations
6251 Alternative Minimum Tax – Individuals
8582 Passive Activity Loss Limitations
8863 Education Credits
8880 Credit Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
8917 Tuition and Fees Deduction
8919 Uncollected SS and Medicare Tax on Wages
8959 Additional Medicare Tax
8960 Net Investment Income Tax
8396 Mortgage Interest Credit
8801 Credit for Prior Year Minimum Tax
8283 Noncash Charitable Contributions
8949 Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets
4797 Other Gains (or losses)
8889 Health Savings Accounts
EXPAT TAX SOLUTIONS YOU CAN TRUST, WHEREVER YOU ARE.
Why work with Expat Tax Online?
AS FEATURED IN
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
We’ve successfully helped thousands of Americans file their US expat tax returns for more than a decade.
WE’RE LICENSED
At least 35 members of our tax team are licensed by the IRS. That’s easy to verify on the official IRS website.
CLIENT MANAGER
You’ll have a dedicated team member by your side throughout the process. Our tax questionnaire is easy to use.
PRICE LEADER
We’re proud to be the industry price leader. We include hundreds of extra IRS forms without additional fees. Expect a fixed price from the outset. No surprises.
OVER 10,000+ REVIEWS ACROSS TRUSTPILOT, GOOGLE, AND FEEFO
Why do clients choose Expat Tax Online?
JEANETTE, UK
“Really competitive price.”
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CANDICE, UK
“Always available and responsive.”
”I got Child Tax Credit Refunds & Stimulus Payments.”
KATIE, UK
“Extremely knowledgeable”
”They did what was right for me & my family.”
Jennifer, NZ
“My tax info can be rolled over next year”
