Normal Tax Return Preparation Fees

Tax Preparation Schedule of Fees by Form 

Example Expat Tax Return Preparation Fees
(Illustrative only – final fees are quoted after review) 

Example 1: Expat Return with NY State Filing and FBAR

Facts

• Single filer living abroad

• One source of foreign wage income

• Uses Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555)

• One U.S. rental property

• New York nonresident return

• FBAR with 3 foreign bank accounts

Fee breakdown

• Federal expat return (Form 1040, Form 2555, rental reporting): $750

• NY State return (nonresident sourcing): $250

• FBAR (3 accounts): Included

Estimated total: $1,000

This represents a typical expat filing where income is excluded at the federal level and state sourcing is straightforward.

Example 2: Expat Return Using FEIE + FTC Strategy for NY State Optimization

Facts

• Single filer living abroad

• One source of foreign wages

• Uses a combination of FEIE and Foreign Tax Credit (Forms 2555 + 1116)

• Strategy designed to reduce New York starting AGI, as NY does not allow the FTC

• NY nonresident return

• FBAR with 3 accounts

Fee breakdown

• Federal expat return (Forms 2555 & 1116): $750

• FEIE/FTC allocation and optimization analysis: $250

• NY State return (adjusted AGI sourcing): $250

• FBAR (3 accounts): Included

Estimated total: $1,250

Combining the FEIE and FTC requires additional modeling and allocation work but can materially reduce state taxable income in certain jurisdictions.

Example 3: Expat with Self-Employment Income (Schedule C)

Facts

• U.S. citizen living abroad

• One source of foreign self-employment income

• Schedule C required

• Uses Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

• No state return

• FBAR with 4 accounts

Fee breakdown

• Federal expat return with Schedule C and Form 2555: $950

• FBAR (4 accounts): Included

Estimated total: $950

Self-employment adds complexity due to expense categorization, net income calculation, and interaction with the FEIE.

Example 4: Married Couple with Two Sources of Foreign Income

Facts

• Married filing jointly

• Both spouses earn foreign wages

• One spouse uses FEIE, the other uses FTC

• No U.S. rentals

• FBAR with 6 accounts

Fee breakdown

• Federal expat return (dual income analysis, Forms 2555 & 1116): $900

• FBAR (6 accounts): Included

Estimated total: $900

Multiple income streams often require tailored exclusion and credit strategies to maximize tax efficiency.

Example 5: Expat with Multiple Rental Properties

Facts

• Single filer living abroad

• Foreign wage income using FEIE

• Three U.S. rental properties

• Depreciation and expense allocation required

• FBAR with 5 accounts

• No state filing required

Fee breakdown

• Federal expat return (Form 2555 + multiple rentals): $1,050

• FBAR (5 accounts): Included

Estimated total: $1,050

Multiple rental properties increase reporting, depreciation tracking, and review time.

These examples are illustrative only. Final fees depend on the facts, complexity, and reporting requirements of each return. A fixed quote is provided after document review and before work begins.

Supporting Documents Needed to Prepare Your Income Tax Return

• Forms W-2 for wages, salaries and tips

• All Forms 1099 for interest, dividends, retirement, miscellaneous income, Social Security, state or local refunds, gambling winnings, etc.

• Brokerage statements showing investment transactions for stocks, bonds, etc.

• Schedules K-1 from partnerships, S corporations, estates and trusts

• Statements supporting deductions for mortgage interest, taxes, and charitable contributions (including any Form 1098-C)

• Any tax notices sent to you by the IRS or other taxing authority

• A copy of your U.S. income tax return from last year

• Maximum values of all foreign bank or financial accounts held during the year

➤ locations served

Available for all taxpayers in every state and all Expatriates living abroad. 

☎ CONTACT NICHOLAS HARTNEY, EA

nick@genesistaxconsultants.com
for appointment.