Follow-ups only when they apply
Your answers open the relevant follow-up questions.
HOW IT WORKS
From first question to filed return.
A walkthrough of the workspace you file in. You answer questions about your life abroad; ExpatReturn.us works out the calculations, prepares the supported federal forms and e-files your return with the IRS.
Walk through the stepsEligible 2025 US federal returns
STEP 1
Start by checking the fit.
The first questions cover your US tax status, your time abroad, and situations that may need forms or calculations outside current coverage.
- What it covers A federal individual tax return for a US citizen or resident alien, with supported income and tax situations. 2025 is e-filed; 2019 to 2024 are prepared on paper for you to mail.
- Told early, checked again later If an answer identifies a case that cannot be prepared, the interview explains the issue. Some limits are checked again when the return is built, as more details become available.
- Forms have limits too A form can be supported for some situations and have limits for others.
About your situation EXAMPLE
- Did you live outside the United States at any time during 2025?
- Yes
- Is your employer outside the United States?
- Yes
- Did you pay income tax to another country?
- Yes
Fictional answers, shown for illustration.
STEP 2
Answer questions, not forms.
Questions are grouped into sections about you, your household, your income, your deductions, and tax paid overseas. You do not need to know which forms you need.
Help beside the question
Help explains the information a question needs and, where it applies, where to find it on your records.
Calculations done for you
Supported calculations happen from your answers. You do not copy income and tax figures from one federal form to the next.
Saved as you go
Answers save as you go and the interview shows a Saved state. If a connection fails, it tells you the latest changes have not saved yet. Coming back resumes from your saved progress.
AMOUNTS IN ANOTHER CURRENCY
How foreign amounts are entered
Most amounts can be entered in another currency chosen from a list. A few are asked in US dollars, with a note on which rate applies.
| Amount | How you enter it | Exchange rate |
|---|---|---|
| Most income and expense amounts | Pick the currency from a list | Converted at the IRS yearly average exchange rate for the year, and the rate is recorded |
| Some amounts, such as a foreign tax paid or a sale or purchase on its own date | In US dollars | A note says which rate applies. The product does not choose a rate for these. |
STEP 3
Add the records that apply.
The workspace has a documents stage for your source records and any required filing statements. It accepts PDF, PNG and JPEG files.
Records help you complete the interview, but you do not need to hold them before you start. Examples worth gathering (suggestions, not a list the product requires):
- Pay statements
- Records of income tax paid abroad
- Bank and investment statements
- A copy of your previous US return
STEP 4
Read it before you sign.
- 1
One summary of your answers
The final section groups your answers in one place. An edit link takes you back to the question to change. Missing information and issues that prevent preparation are shown there too.
- 2
Your return on screen, before you pay
Once the required answers and records are complete, the workspace checks the case and builds your return. You see which forms were included and review the return on screen before paying.
- 3
Changed something? Build it again
An edit after the return was built makes that version out of date. The workspace asks you to build and review a new one before signing.
STEP 5
Pay, sign, and we file it.
After the on-screen review you pay, open the PDF of your prepared forms, sign with a PIN, and we e-file the return with the IRS.
Pay after the review
Payment is taken after you review your return on screen and before you open the PDF, sign or file.
Open the PDF, then sign
Read the PDF of the prepared forms. The signing stage ties your approval to the return you reviewed, shows the signing statements and asks for your consent and a self-select PIN.
Joint returns need both
A joint return requires both taxpayer and spouse authorizations.
Edits start a new round
Changing the return means building and reviewing it again, with new authorizations.
We e-file it with the IRS
We submit the signed return to the IRS. The app shows when the IRS accepts your return, or when it rejects it and review is needed.
Paper returns are mailed by you
A year that goes on paper, including every year of the streamlined catch-up package, is printed, signed and mailed by you.
How long should I set aside?
That depends on your income, your household and how many records you have ready. No fixed completion time is promised. Gather your documents first, work through the sections at your own pace, and check that your progress has saved before you leave.
Do I need to know which forms I need?
No. You answer questions about your circumstances and the preparation software selects the supported federal forms from those facts. If your previous return included unusual forms or calculations, check coverage and limits.
Is an accountant preparing or reviewing my return?
This is software for preparing your own return. Accountant preparation, personal tax advice and a professional review service are not included in the current offer. Messages about missing information or calculations are software checks.
How do I start a return?
Create an account and answer the interview. To see what we prepare first, read Who it’s for. You can also compare the plans, or email contact@expatreturn.us with a product question.
CHECK YOUR SITUATION
Does your return fit?
See which 2025 federal situations are supported, where the limits are, and start filing.
See who it is for