US federal & state returns (1040 + state)
Annual US tax filing for citizens and green-card holders abroad. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Tax Credit, and housing-exclusion optimization where applicable.
US tax filing for Americans in Asia
You live in Asia. Your US taxes still exist.
Americans and green-card holders have to file US federal taxes every year, even when they live overseas. The rules don't get simpler when you're earning yen, baht, SGD, or HKD. We prepare US returns for people exactly in your situation. We work in your time zone, with a team that knows what a gensen-chōshū-hyō is and why your Japanese pension matters on Form 8938.
Built for Americans in Asia, not Americans generally
Your US return stopped being simple the year you moved abroad. Foreign income, foreign accounts, and the reporting that comes with them (FBAR, Form 8938, treaty positions) turn a routine 1040 into something else entirely. Our preparers work with APAC-based filers full-time. That means faster turnaround, fewer "can you explain what that form is called?" emails, and familiarity with the income types that don't exist in the US tax code but that your life has: rental properties in Tokyo, pension contributions in Singapore, school fees paid through employer allowances in Hong Kong.
What we actually do
FBAR + FATCA reporting
FinCEN 114 (foreign bank account report) for anyone with $10k+ aggregate in non-US accounts. Form 8938 (FATCA) where thresholds are met.
Streamlined Amnesty (catch-up filing)
Haven't filed US returns in years? We handle Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, the IRS amnesty program for non-willful late filers abroad.
Tax treaty analysis (and the gaps where treaties don't exist)
US-Japan and US-South Korea treaties have specific provisions on pensions, social security, dividends, and business income worth modeling. Thailand's treaty is narrower. Singapore and Hong Kong have no bilateral US income tax treaty (TIEAs covering information exchange exist but don't allocate taxing rights). In those cases, the planning shifts to FEIE / Foreign Tax Credit optimization rather than treaty positions.
Form 5471 for foreign corporations
If you own ≥10% of a non-US corporation, you likely owe Form 5471 and possibly GILTI calculations. Underreported 5471 is one of the largest penalty surfaces in expat tax.
Tax equalization / hypo-tax modeling
For expats on employer assignment with tax-equalization clauses. We model hypothetical US-tax scenarios against local take-home so negotiations are grounded in real numbers.
Common questions
Do I have to file US taxes if I already pay tax where I live in Asia?
Almost always, yes. US citizens and green-card holders are taxed on worldwide income and must file a federal return once gross income passes the standard filing threshold for their status. That threshold is measured before the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which catches a lot of people out. In most cases FEIE or the Foreign Tax Credit wipes out any US tax owed, but you still file the return to claim them. Only those with income below the threshold are exempt.
I haven't filed US returns in years. Can I fix it without penalties?
Usually, yes. The IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures let non-willful filers abroad catch up by filing three years of returns and six years of FBARs with no failure-to-file or FBAR penalties. We assess whether your facts qualify before you commit to anything.
What is an FBAR and do I need to file one?
An FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) reports your foreign financial accounts. You must file if the combined balance of all your non-US accounts crossed $10,000 at any single point during the year, even for one day. It is filed separately from your tax return and is one of the most commonly missed obligations for Americans in Asia.
Do you actually work in my time zone?
Yes. We work APAC hours and respond within two Asia business days. You are not emailing a US office and waiting overnight for every reply.
What does it cost?
Fees are flat and quoted up front once we have scoped your situation, because a single 1040 with one FBAR is very different from multi-year catch-up filing with Form 5471. See the pricing page for typical ranges before you get in touch.
Which countries in Asia do you cover?
We file for Americans across Asia, with dedicated guidance for Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. If you live elsewhere in the region the filing obligations are the same and we can still help. See all countries.
Ready to talk?
Send us a short description of your situation: country, visa status, years unfiled (if any), and what you're trying to accomplish. We respond by email within two Asia business days.
Get in touch