FAQ

The questions every expat types at 2am.

Calm answers, plain English, no fear. If your question is not here, ask us directly.

I live abroad. Do I really still have to file a U.S. tax return?

Almost certainly yes. The United States taxes its citizens and green card holders on worldwide income no matter where they live. Filing is required above the normal income thresholds. The good news: filing does not usually mean owing.

Will I owe U.S. taxes on top of what I pay where I live?

Most of our clients owe nothing. Between the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, the Foreign Tax Credit, and tax treaties, double taxation is usually avoidable. The key is claiming the right combination for your situation.

What is the FBAR and do I need one?

If all your non-U.S. accounts combined exceeded $10,000 at any moment during the year, you file an FBAR. It is a report, not a tax, and it is separate from your return. It is included in The Real Work plan.

What is the difference between the FEIE and the Foreign Tax Credit?

The exclusion removes foreign earned income from U.S. tax up to a yearly limit. The credit offsets U.S. tax with the foreign tax you already paid. They fit different lives, they interact in surprising ways, and switching between them has multi-year consequences. This is exactly the kind of decision we make with you, not for you.

I have not filed in years. Am I in trouble?

Probably less than you think. The IRS has a formal program for Americans abroad who did not know they had to file. If you come forward before the IRS contacts you, catching up is a defined process, not a punishment. It is one of the most common things we handle.

When is my deadline if I live abroad?

Americans abroad get an automatic extension to June 15, and can extend to October 15. FBARs are automatically extended to October 15. Payments owed still accrue interest from April 15, which is why starting early matters.

Do I still owe state taxes after moving abroad?

It depends entirely on which state you left and how you left it. Some states let go easily; a few hold on. If you moved from a sticky state, this deserves a real look.

How does working with TaxJet actually work?

Everything is virtual. You answer a short questionnaire, share documents through Google Drive (nothing new to learn), and we prepare your return. Before anything is filed, you get a personal walkthrough in plain English at an hour that works in your time zone.

Is my information secure?

Yes. We follow security practices that meet IRS standards for safeguarding taxpayer data, and a Certified Fraud Examiner is on your return. You share documents through your own Google account, never over email.

My spouse is not American. How does that work?

Carefully, and it matters a lot. Whether and how a non-U.S. spouse appears on your return changes your taxes, your paperwork, and sometimes their obligations. There is no single right answer; there is a right answer for you.

Can you get me an ITIN?

Yes. Renee is an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent, which means we can certify your documents directly. Your passport never gets mailed to the IRS.

How do I contact you?

WhatsApp, text, or the contact form. We respond within one business day. We serve clients in more than 20 countries, so everything is built to work across time zones.

What do you charge?

Three clear plans based on complexity, starting at $300. See Plans & Pricing, or take the short quiz and we will recommend the right one.

TaxJet has a blog with fictional characters.

Tax law is complicated and often intimidating. Our characters help make real situations easier to recognize, before you have to admit you’re in one yourself. All tax and legal information in the blog is accurate and reviewed.

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