Expatriate Tax Return Preparation

Many San Francisco residents also have overseas tax exposure. They may be temporarily here, be legal residents, or citizens yet have income and property in countries as diverse as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Taiwan or India. Fortunately, expat tax return preparation is part of our international tax CPA firm services.

Contact Safe Harbor LLP CPAs

Accountants who get expatriate tax return preparation

While many US residents and US citizens have tax exposure on an international basis, there is also the situation of expatriates living and working in the United States, not just in San Francisco but elsewhere in California, who therefore are exposed to tax issues both in the USA and/or in their home country. We’re here to help. A growing part of our accounting business is helping foreign nationals such as Canadian citizens, Chinese citizens, Europeans such as Germans, British, or French nationals with their USA and their foreign tax compliance including expat tax return preparation here in California.

Expat Tax Return Prep Service

If you have overseas income, let our team of hard-working CPAs and accountants figure out your expat tax return prep needs. From Canada to China, Germany to the UK, India to Malaysia, we have worldwide tax preparation contacts and can expedite and minimize your US, California, and foreign tax bill. Coordination works!

Tax Preparation for Expatriates

Our CPA firm works with a wide array of individuals, including foreign nationals working at technology firms, legal services, and even non-profits, offering them the best tax services and tax preparation available for to minimize their USA and foreign taxes. Our expert San Francisco CPAs have years of tax preparation experience who work with foreign nationals, AND we have partnerships with key accounting firms in countries such as Canada, the UK, China, and Italy that can help us work together to minimize both your USA taxes and your taxes in your home country. In the vernacular, this is called “expat tax return preparation,” but it is really a subset of international taxation. We’re a top-rated California CPA firm for international taxation, including the preparation of expatriate tax returns.Expat tax return preparation including for Canadian citizens who reside in San Francisco, California.

We are so lucky to live in San Francisco, California, an international city with numerous foreign residents and with its gaze ever cast to foreign shores. Many corporations send their executives to live here, and many immigrants come to the San Francisco Bay Area to start the next Facebook, Snapchat, Google or the next Intel. If you reside in the San Francisco Bay Area for all or part of the year, and you have international business or other assets, you may incur tax liabilities. We can help you plan to minimize the US taxes required for foreign assets.  Call us today to speak to a top San Francisco accountant specializing in expatriate tax return preparation!

Questions and Answers on Expat Tax Return Preparation

Q. Do I qualify for expatriate tax?
A. Many people wonder if American citizens living abroad pay taxes. Yes, they do. You cannot get away from the long arm of Uncle Sam if you work and live in another country as an expat. Bay Area residents who do global business could have interests in several countries, including Canada, China, and the United Kingdom. Safe Harbors CPA’s manage foreign resident requirements every day. We know the complexities of expatriate tax prep. Whether it’s U.K. tax requirements or Canadian expat tax returns, our team will help you manage the details.

Q. What happens if I don’t file taxes while living abroad?

A. Putting off your U.S. tax returns because you are staying in another country is a terrible decision. For anyone who thinks, “I don’t owe taxes this year,” it doesn’t matter. An expat tax return must be submitted to the IRS on time, or there will be a penalty. To learn more about resident aliens abroad, visit the IRS page.

Q. How do I avoid paying expat taxes?
A. This all depends on your personal situation. You may have to pay some type of tax no matter the circumstances. When handling expat tax preparation, there are forms to help minimize expenses, including the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or FEIE. The Foreign Tax Credit is designed to itemize deductions. Some people with dual citizenship ask if they can avoid paying U.S. taxes and the answer is “no.” Even if you believe there are particular circumstances, it’s best to consult with a top San Francisco CPA and bypass the heavy fines associated with not paying your taxes while living abroad.

Q. Is there an “exit tax” if I renounce my U.S. citizenship?

A. Generally, if your net worth is over $2 million, there will be an exit tax from the United States. For individuals with green cards, different rules will apply. If your citizenship status changes in the United States, it’s best to leave any assumptions behind. Speak to our team about your expatriate and foreign citizenship taxes to ensure any changes in status will remain fully compliant. The American Citizens Abroad organization has many helpful resources on expat taxation.