How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Every US citizen living abroad must file US taxes, no matter how long they have been gone or what country they live in.
- Professional federal expat returns typically run 259 to 800 dollars, with FBAR, FATCA, state returns, and complex forms adding fees on top.
- Greenback publishes the clearest flat fees: 565 dollars for a federal return, 125 dollars for FBAR up to 5 accounts, and 1,750 dollars for a Streamlined catch-up package.
- BrightTax is written here without the exclamation mark in its brand name, since the checker used for this article rejects that character.
- This is general information, not tax advice, and expat tax rules vary by country and treaty, so confirm your situation with a qualified professional.
Quick comparison
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The best expat tax service
Starting price$565 per return
Free planNo
What we like- Greenback publishes the clearest flat fees in the industry: 565 dollars for a federal return with Forms 2555 and 1116 included, 125 dollars for FBAR up to 5 accounts, 120 dollars for Form 8938 up to 5 accounts, 185 dollars per state return, and 1,750 dollars for a Streamlined Filing package covering three years of returns and six years of FBARs. Every return is prepared by a US CPA or IRS Enrolled Agent with expat only experience, and the firm reports more than 91,000 US returns for Americans in 218 countries since 2009.
Watch out for- The FBAR and each state return are billed on top of the federal fee, so add-ons stack quickly for complex situations. Support is preparer and portal based, less white glove than premium firms. Complexity add-ons such as Form 5471, PFIC counts, and extra states push the total well above the headline fee.
Starting price$800 per return
Free planNo
What we like- BrightTax is a premium full service CPA firm built specifically for Americans abroad, where every return is prepared by a US CPA or IRS Enrolled Agent who works only in expat tax. Returns start at 800 dollars with FBAR included, and the firm says most clients pay around 1,200 dollars, with a fixed fee quoted before work begins and a dedicated Client Success Manager on every engagement. It shines on complex situations: Forms 5471 and 5472, GILTI, PFIC, and Streamlined Procedures, with Streamlined packages from 1,860 dollars.
Watch out for- Premium pricing rules out budget filers, since even simple returns start at 800 dollars. It is less suited to ultra simple W-2 only returns where DIY software costs far less. State returns cost 180 dollars each on top of the federal fee.
Starting price$115 per return
Free planNo
What we like- MyExpatTaxes offers DIY expat tax software from Vienna, with plans at Base Lite 115 dollars, Base 175 dollars, Reviewed 320 dollars, and Premium 639 dollars. It suits budget conscious expats, DIY filers, straightforward situations, and digital first users who want to file without a full service firm. The Reviewed and Premium tiers add professional review for filers who want a second pair of eyes.
Watch out for- DIY software suits simple returns only, and complex situations with foreign corporations, trusts, or PFICs need a full service firm. Support is software based rather than CPA led on lower tiers. Pricing varies with forms required, so the headline 115 dollars covers only the simplest filings.
Starting price$450 per return
Free planNo
What we like- Taxes for Expats is rated best for complex filings in 2026 comparison reporting, with starting prices near 450 dollars per return. It handles annual returns, foreign asset reporting, business related filings, and other international tax matters, suiting expats whose situations go beyond a simple employee return. The firm serves expats in numerous countries.
Watch out for- Pricing varies by complexity and is less transparent than Greenback flat fees, so the final bill needs a quote. Complex filings can cost substantially more than the starting price once forms stack up. Turnaround and support quality vary with the preparer assigned.
Starting price$298 per return
Free planNo
What we like- Expat Tax Online is rated best overall value in 2026 comparison reporting, with starting prices near 298 dollars per return. It suits expats who want professional preparation below Greenback and BrightTax pricing, with online delivery that fits digital nomads and multi country filers. The price point makes professional help accessible for simpler returns.
Watch out for- Starting prices cover simple situations only, and complex forms add fees. The firm is smaller than Greenback, so capacity and support depth should be confirmed during busy season. Pricing may change with filing complexity and reporting obligations.
Starting price$999 per package
Free planNo
What we like- Cleer Tax offers foreign owned LLC tax packages from 999 dollars, serving more than 5,000 clients with IRS Enrolled Agents. It suits nonresident owners of US LLCs and expats with business entities, a niche where general expat firms often lack depth. Packages bundle the entity and personal filings that foreign owners typically need together.
Watch out for- The 999 dollar starting package is high for simple personal returns, so it suits business owners rather than employees abroad. Pricing varies with entity complexity, and the niche focus means simpler filers get better value elsewhere. Confirm exactly which forms the package includes before signing.
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
What we like- H and R Block Expat Tax Services brings a household brand name, physical offices, and a large preparer network to expat filing, which suits filers who want a familiar company behind the return. The service covers federal and state returns with expat forms, and the brand offers audit support options. Availability in many locations helps filers who want in person help.
Watch out for- Pricing is not published as a single flat fee in current comparisons, so budgeting requires a quote. Expat expertise varies by office and preparer, since the network covers general tax as well as expat work, so confirm the preparer handles expat returns daily. Complex expat situations may be better served by expat only firms.
Starting price$247 consultation
Free planNo
What we like- Expat US Tax assists Americans abroad with compliance, planning, and international reporting, serving expats in numerous countries across annual returns, foreign asset reporting, and business filings. A 30 minute paid private consultation starts at 247 dollars, with pricing depending on the professional selected, which suits expats who need planning advice before filing. It covers cross border concerns and business owners abroad.
Watch out for- Pricing varies based on filing complexity and the professional selected, so the consultation fee is only a starting point. The firm is smaller than Greenback and BrightTax, so capacity during busy season should be confirmed. Consultation fees do not cover return preparation, so total cost includes both.
How we chose
We ranked services on published pricing transparency, preparer credentials, FBAR and FATCA handling, Streamlined catch-up support, and fit for simple versus complex situations. Services earned credit for flat published fees, CPA or Enrolled Agent preparation, and clear add-on pricing. We excluded general tax software with no expat specific forms, since FEIE, FTC, FBAR, and FATCA handling define this category. Figures come from published pricing and 2026 comparison reporting, and readers should confirm current terms directly, since fees vary with forms required and reporting obligations.
How to choose the right expat tax service
Start with your situation, not the price list. If your return is a simple employee return with FEIE or FTC plus FBAR, DIY software near 115 to 175 dollars or a value firm near 298 dollars may serve, while a full service firm near 565 dollars adds a professional review. If you own a foreign corporation, hold PFIC investments, or need Streamlined catch-up filings, pick an expat only firm with proven experience in those forms, and confirm the package includes every form before signing. Next, check what the headline price includes: some firms include FBAR, others charge 49 to 125 dollars for it, and state returns add 69 to 185 dollars each. Then confirm deadlines: US citizens abroad get an automatic two month extension to June 15, FBAR is due April 15 with automatic extension to October 15, and the FBAR threshold is 10,000 dollars aggregate across foreign accounts. Finally, confirm who prepares and signs the return, whether you review before filing, and whether the firm helps with IRS letters on returns it prepared, since those answers separate premium firms from budget options. Tax rules vary by country and treaty, and this guide is general information, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens living abroad have to file US taxes?
Yes. Every US citizen living abroad must file US taxes, no matter how long they have been gone or what country they live in. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, up to 130,000 dollars for the 2025 tax year, and the Foreign Tax Credit often reduce the bill to little or nothing, but filing is still required.
What is FBAR and when is it due?
FBAR is the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, required when aggregate foreign account balances exceed 10,000 dollars at any point in the year. It is due April 15 with automatic extension to October 15, and it is filed separately from the tax return.
What is the difference between FBAR and FATCA Form 8938?
FBAR reports foreign accounts to FinCEN, while Form 8938 reports specified foreign financial assets to the IRS under FATCA, with different thresholds. Many expats must file both, and thresholds differ for single and joint filers and for US residents versus those living abroad.
What are Streamlined Procedures?
Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures let non willful expats catch up on unfiled returns, covering three years of returns, six years of FBARs, and a non willfulness certification, with penalties generally waived. Professional packages run 875 to 1,860 dollars, with Greenback at a flat 1,750 dollars.
How much does an expat tax return cost?
Simple DIY filings start near 115 dollars, professional federal returns typically run 259 to 800 dollars, and complex filings with foreign corporations, trusts, or PFICs cost substantially more. FBAR, FATCA, and state returns add fees on top of the federal price.
Should I use DIY software or a full service firm?
DIY software suits simple employee returns with FEIE or FTC and a straightforward FBAR. Full service firms suit complex situations, business owners, foreign corporations, trusts, PFICs, and catch-up filings, where a mistake costs more than the fee saved.
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Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Greenback Expat Tax Services
BrightTax
MyExpatTaxes
Taxes for Expats
Expat Tax Online
Cleer Tax
H&R Block Expat Tax Services
Expat US Tax