US Tax Pros Logo
Free Estimate
IRS E-FILE PROVIDER
NEW ZEALAND BASED
XERO CERTIFIED ADVISOR
FREE FBAR ADVICE

Streamlined Tax Filing

Most of the expats fail to be compliant with the IRS because they think that they don’t need to file US taxes while living abroad.

The reason might be due to them paying taxes in the country of their residence. But this is not the case with US expats.

The US has a citizenship-based tax system and not the residence based tax system. If you are an expat, you might still need to file (this does not necessarily mean that you owe something to the US).

Streamlined filing is for the expats who were not aware that they have to file their US tax returns and un-wilfully missed it. You can still file under the streamline program and save yourself from various fines and penalties that defaulters have to pay.

Our expert team will help you understand all the details (even the smallest of them) about streamlined programs and assist you throughout so that you are not taxed twice on the same income from two countries.

The Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures requires that you file your last three years of missed tax returns. This can mean filing four returns in total if you submit them before the filing deadline, being the current year, plus the three missed years. If you submit after the filing deadline (which is June 15 if you live abroad), you only have to file three returns in total.

When you file, you can claim either the Foreign Tax Credit or the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion by submitting the relevant form, which, for most people, results in not owing any IRS back taxes.

We know it’s confusing for you to know what to include and what not to. Our assistance is the ultimate thing that you will ever need in filing your tax return smoothly. With the affordable prices it is even more exciting. Get in touch with US Tax Pros today, we are here to assist you in any way we can.

A Plan for Every US Expat

BASIC
PACKAGE

FORMS INCLUDED

Basic 1040 + FBAR

Single
Married Filing Joint
Married Filling Separate
Head of Household
Qualifying Widower

PROFESSIONAL
PACKAGE

FORMS INCLUDED

Basic Package + 1 Form:

Schedule C (1 Business)
Schedule E (1 Property)

5471 (Informational Return of a Foreign Corporation)

STREAMLINED
FILING PROCEDURE

This IRS program allows expats who have not filed to catch up on their taxes penalty free.

3 years of Form 1040 and 6 years of FBAR are required.

Contact us to determine eligibility and any additional forms.

If you are an accidental American or looking to renounce your citizenship we can help with the process.

FAQs

What are the streamlined filing procedures?

Use our simple 9 question survey and we will give you a clear idea of the investment for working with us.

I earn money from my US employer but live overseas… Who has first taxing rights?

The answer to this is quite simple in most cases it all depends on where you are physically located while performing the work.

Where you are working and living will generally have first taxing rights.

Meaning if you’re working in New Zealand the IRD may have first taxing rights on your income.

But there are always exceptions to the rule and the team at US Tax Pros in Auckland can help.

I am a US expat – What do I need to know?

Although most US expats don’t need to pay any income tax to the US you are still required to file your tax returns each year with the IRS especially if you earn a wage.

You need to report your foreign earnings, foreign bank accounts, Kiwisaver growth and even other foreign assets if you have foreign financial assets above a certain threshold.

If you didn’t know about expat taxes previously, don’t worry, there are programs geared to help you get back on track. The streamlined tax filing procedures are a great way to catch up on your unfilled taxes in a penalty free way.

What is the tax rate for US expats?

Expats who are employed by US employers, foreign employers, or are self-employed have to pay a certain percentage of their income as tax to the US government above a certain income threshold.

However, a lot of other factors like income level, types of investment, number of dependents, foreign property, and state tax affect the amount of tax you’ll pay.

See the 15-point guide to tax returns for expats to understand this better.