Whether you require annual tax preparation or need to apply for amnesty for late filing, choosing an expat accountant is a very important decision for a US citizen or a green card holder living abroad. Read about the different types of providers and why you should choose Independence Expat Tax:
Online software programs have been a staple of annual tax preparation inside the USA for decades. These programs are designed to be easy to use and cater to the vast majority of people living in the USA with relatively simple tax situations. They rely on the fact that when you live in the USA, your wages, investment income, and other income are reported on standard tax forms like Form 1099 and W-2.
There are also expat tax preparation companies attempting to replicate this model. This model of tax preparation often comes with “teaser pricing.” They will offer a very low price to prepare a tax return, assuming you need no professional guidance. You are expected to enter all your data into the software and review the tax return yourself! If you require any type of professional guidance, you will end up paying hundreds more!
The fact is that your Canadian employer will NOT give you a W-2 for easy data entry. Your Australian bank will NOT provide a Form 1099 to report your interest and dividends. Do you know where to report and how to handle currency conversions for this income on your tax return, since you don’t receive these forms as a basis for your data entry?
Do you have to pay self-employment tax twice, in France and the USA? How do you manage the United Kingdom’s tax year, which runs from April to April, when dealing with your USA taxes that are reported in the calendar year?
When these decisions could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars, do YOU really feel comfortable answering these questions yourself without any professional guidance? If not, you should carefully consider the additional cost of professional guidance when choosing a “Quickie Tax” or “Turbo Preparation” provider, rather than just focusing on the “teaser price.”
Tax Lawyers and Attorneys
Tax lawyers specialize in managing complex tax controversies and legal disputes, offering crucial expertise when dealing with issues such as audits, tax evasion allegations, and criminal tax complaints. They are adept at defending clients against accusations of tax fraud or evasion, navigating the legal complexities of such cases to mitigate potential penalties or criminal charges. Additionally, tax lawyers play a key role in negotiating settlements with tax authorities, working to reach favorable resolutions that minimize financial impact and legal repercussions. They provide essential legal guidance on areas of tax law that are not well-defined or are unclear, conducting thorough tax law research and forming well-founded opinions based on their findings. Their ability to interpret and apply ambiguous legal standards ensures that clients receive accurate advice and robust representation. With their deep understanding of tax law and expertise in high-stakes legal scenarios, tax lawyers are indispensable for resolving intricate tax-related issues and safeguarding legal rights.
Often, when someone has not filed their taxes for some time, they feel they may need a lawyer to help them untangle their situation. Lawyers can charge thousands of dollars to file a single year of taxes. Furthermore, they usually delegate most of the tax preparation work to a tax accountant anyway! Lawyers are simply not equipped to handle the volume of tax returns nor to e-file and manage a busy tax practice. They typically focus on expensive tax projects and accept a lower volume of clients.
While you may not know anyone who has not filed taxes for years, we know MANY such cases! You do not necessarily need to work with a lawyer on your situation.
Our service offers the convenience and efficiency of utilizing high technology with built-in access to a professional tax accountant. We have years of experience with streamlined filing, which is the amnesty program used to help expats living abroad who have not filed taxes get caught up.
We have invested years in enhancing and perfecting our online portal specifically designed for US expat tax filing. No matter whom you choose to assist you with your expat taxes, you will still need to provide information about your income, foreign bank balances, and other important details. We offer a streamlined, secure, online system to facilitate communication and tax preparation globally.
But the biggest advantage we offer is the peace of mind of knowing that a professional has your back! We are able to identify problems or potential issues with a trained eye for these details. All of our pricing includes a professional who will manage the overall preparation of your tax return, supported by their staff and our technology.
We have extensive experience helping countless expats with streamlined filing who have not filed for many years. While you may feel uncertain about needing a lawyer, we can help assuage your concerns and provide you with an honest assessment of your situation. Take the time to reach out to us, especially if you are behind in filing taxes.
Conclusion
When you factor in that a professional tax accountant is part of our pricing, we offer the best value proposition on the web for preparing your US expat taxes. If you would like an estimate or to schedule a consultation, please contact us below to get more information! Remember our company, Independence Expat Tax, while you review your options.
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