FileAbroad

U.S. Expat Tax Prep — Based in Cuenca, Ecuador

Stop overpaying — or under-filing — the IRS while living abroad.

Most expats either miss credits that would save them thousands, or forget a form that carries a $10,000+ penalty. I live in Ecuador, file my own expat return every year, and work directly with you from first review to filing. Every engagement starts with a paid consultation so we can map your exact situation before any preparation begins.

Reach Out About Your FilingSee How Consultations Work
  • Work directly with Chip — not a call center
  • You approve the scope and price before preparation begins
  • PTIN holder and IRS e-file provider, living in Ecuador
A calm international tax preparation workspace
  • Direct communication with the preparer
  • Fixed scope
  • You review the return before submission
  • Secure portal

Filing paths

Choose the level of help you need

Start with a paid consultation so the years, forms, records, and preparation path can be confirmed in writing.

Custom scope

Complex Expat Return

For additional schedules, foreign reporting, or a filing that needs a custom scope.

See how this works
Annual Return

Annual Expat Return

Most expats qualify to pay little or no U.S. tax — but only if Form 2555 or 1116 is filed correctly and supported by the right records. I review your Physical Presence Test, foreign residence status, and every credit you qualify for before any preparation begins.

See how this worksFBAR

FBAR Filing

If your foreign accounts totaled over $10,000 at any point — even for one day — you generally must file FBAR. The penalty for non-willful violations starts at $10,000 per account. I review your account history, aggregate the values correctly, and file before the deadline.

See how this worksFATCA

FATCA Compliance

Form 8938 preparation when filing status, residency, and specified foreign financial assets create a reporting requirement.

See how this worksCatch-Up

Streamlined Catch-Up

The IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore procedure allows some expats to file past returns without certain penalties — but eligibility is strict and the certification is your responsibility. I review your facts in a paid consultation to see if this path fits before any preparation begins.

See how this works

The Process

How My Expat Tax Filing Process Works

  1. 1

    Intake Form

    I start with the consultation. Tell me about your situation, where you live, how you earn income, and any concerns you have. I'll identify the next step and scope questions.

  2. 2

    Document Collection

    I'll send you a personalized checklist of documents needed for your return. Sensitive tax documents belong in the secure Encyro portal, not email or WhatsApp.

  3. 3

    Preparation & Review

    I prepare the accepted return within the written engagement scope, applying supported exclusions and credits. Before filing, you review everything and I discuss any questions with you.

  4. 4

    Filing & Confirmation

    Once you approve the return, I submit the agreed federal filing electronically and provide the available IRS submission or acceptance message. If FBAR filing is included in your written scope, it follows the separate FinCEN process.

A deliberate fit

Is FileAbroad the right fit for your filing?

Software may fit when…

  • Your return is simple and you want to handle the rules yourself.
  • You are comfortable checking FEIE, FTC, FBAR, and filing requirements.
  • You do not need a human scope review before filing.

A broader firm may fit when…

  • You need legal, audit, entity, or representation work outside this service.
  • Your case requires multiple specialists or a larger team.
  • You want an engagement designed around complex facts.

FileAbroad may fit when…

  • You want the person preparing the return to review the intake.
  • You want a written scope before preparation begins.
  • You want secure document handling and direct communication.
Chip Moreno in Cuenca, Ecuador

About FileAbroad

I started FileAbroad because I could not find a preparer who actually lives abroad.

Most expat tax firms are call centers in Ohio. You fill out a form, a junior preparer you have never met does your return, and you get a bill. I do the opposite: you work directly with me from the first fact review to the final filing. I live in Ecuador. I file my own FBAR every year. I know what a cedula is, why your Ecuadorian pension is not a 401(k), and which travel days count for the Physical Presence Test — because I count my own. Every engagement starts with a paid consultation so we can map your exact situation before any preparation begins.

“You should know who is preparing your return, what is included, and what happens next — because they have filed the same forms themselves.”
Meet ChipEmail

Before you start

Questions about filing U.S. taxes abroad

These answers cover the factors that usually determine your filing path: income, foreign accounts, forms, deadlines, and scope.

Reach Out About Your Filing
Do I really need to file U.S. taxes if I live abroad?

Yes. U.S. citizens and resident aliens generally remain subject to U.S. tax on worldwide income while abroad. Filing thresholds depend on your tax year and facts, and exclusions or credits do not necessarily remove the filing requirement. FBAR and other information reports are separate. Passport restrictions can apply in cases involving seriously delinquent federal tax debt; missing one return does not automatically trigger them.

What is the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)?

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows qualifying U.S. citizens and residents living abroad to exclude a significant amount of their foreign earnings from U.S. taxation. For tax year 2025 (filed in 2026), this exclusion is up to $130,000. To qualify, you must meet either the Bona Fide Residence test or the Physical Presence test.

What is the FBAR and who needs to file it?

FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) reports Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. You must file if you have a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign accounts whose combined value exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. The deadline is April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15.

What happens if I haven't filed U.S. taxes in several years?

There are IRS procedures that may apply, including Streamlined procedures for eligible taxpayers. FileAbroad begins with scope screening and does not determine willfulness; uncertain intent, prior IRS contact, or legal exposure requires an appropriate attorney or credentialed-representative referral.

Can I avoid double taxation on my income?

The FEIE, Foreign Tax Credit, housing provisions, totalization agreements, and some treaty provisions may reduce overlapping taxes, but eligibility and results depend on your facts. FileAbroad does not promise a tax result and refers treaty-based positions when appropriate.

Do I still have state tax obligations while living abroad?

It depends on the state’s current residency, domicile, and source-income rules and your facts. FileAbroad can screen whether a return may be in scope; disputed domicile, nexus, or legal-residency questions may require state-specific counsel or a credentialed reviewer.

Filing Updates for Americans Abroad

I send occasional deadline reminders and tax updates relevant to expats. No automated email sequence. Unsubscribe anytime. No tax details are collected here.

Occasional filing updates. Unsubscribe anytime. No tax details are collected here.

Ready to clarify your situation?

Tell me about your filing situation

Share the broad facts and I will personally review them. If FileAbroad can accept the work, we schedule a paid consultation and you receive a written scope before any preparation begins.

Reach Out About Your Filing