Optional 30-Minute Expat Tax Scope Assessment
A focused assessment when your situation needs review.
A paid FileAbroad scope assessment is a 30-minute review of your U.S. expat tax situation with me, Chip Moreno. It is available when you need more than an introductory conversation.
We'll discuss where you live, the years involved, how you earn income, foreign accounts or assets, prior filing history, and the questions that brought you to FileAbroad.
The purpose is to identify the filing issues that need attention, determine whether FileAbroad is the right fit, and define the next step before preparation work begins.
Send a free inquiry first. I review it personally and explain whether a paid assessment is appropriate before you book or pay.
30 minutes · $100 · directly with Chip
Filing yourself? Start with the decision you need to make
You may have prepared your own U.S. returns for years and still want help when something changes. A move back to the United States, a foreign family gift, a new investment account or a change from employment to contracting can create questions your usual process does not answer.
Tell me what changed, the year involved and what you want to decide. That gives us a practical starting point for choosing the work.
A focused review begins with facts and questions
If you want to keep preparing your own return, say so. We can discuss a defined consultation or review around the issue you identify.
The scope should specify the years, people, transactions and documents covered. It should also explain the agreed deliverable: for example, a discussion of the questions within scope, a records request or a written action list when included in the quote.
A short consultation has a limited purpose. If you want a line-by-line review of a completed return, make that request explicit so I can determine whether to accept it and quote the work required.
Put the review in a useful order
Start with a timeline of where you lived and worked, what changed and which years concern you. Next, identify the relevant income, accounts or transfers. Then list what has already been filed and what supporting records you have.
Mark missing records as unknown. If older filings may be incomplete, mention that before asking for a current-year return or a specific correction procedure. The first task may be understanding the filing history.
Preparation is a separate commitment
If you want FileAbroad to prepare filings, the written agreement identifies the accepted years and forms, needed records, fee and responsibilities. Preparation, submission, additional research and follow-up should each be clear in that scope.
Straightforward preparation may proceed directly to a quote. When substantive analysis is needed first, I may propose an optional paid assessment and explain its cost. You can also tell me if another preparer is involved so we can define the particular question you want FileAbroad to address.
Planning before a move or change in work
If you are changing countries, returning to the United States, moving from employment to contracting, or considering a foreign entity, start with the decision and the years involved. Tell me the countries, work or entity status, relevant records and whether another adviser is involved.
We can agree a focused review or separately quoted planning engagement. A written roadmap, financial model or substantial entity analysis is included only when specifically agreed in the quote. Preparation can follow under its own accepted scope. Foreign local tax or legal work may require another professional.
I quote each engagement after reviewing the broad facts. You will know the agreed work, professional fee, payment schedule, known third-party charges and any costs still awaiting confirmation before paid work begins. If a substantive assessment is needed to define the work, I will explain its scope and fee first.
The consultation
What we'll review
The consultation focuses on the facts that determine what needs further attention.
Filing history
Which U.S. returns or reporting years have already been filed and which years may still need review.
Income
How you earn income and which foreign or U.S. income sources may affect the filing scope.
Residence and travel
Where you live and the residence or travel facts that may matter to the return.
Foreign accounts and assets
Whether foreign financial accounts, investments, entities, or other assets raise additional reporting questions.
The problem you actually came with
The tax question, filing gap, notice, uncertainty, or planning issue you want to resolve.
After the call
What you leave with
By the end of the consultation, you'll have a clear map of the issues that need attention and the next practical step.
- The filing years or issues that need further review.
- The records or information needed before preparation can begin.
- Whether the work appears to fit FileAbroad's preparation scope.
- If FileAbroad can accept the work, a written preparation scope and exact quote before preparation begins.
You are not required to hire FileAbroad for preparation after the consultation.
Scope
What the consultation does not include
The consultation is a review and scoping session. It does not include preparation or filing of a tax return, FBAR, information return, amended return, or Streamlined submission.
It also does not create an open-ended support engagement. Additional research, document review, preparation, or follow-up work is included only when it is specifically agreed or purchased.
FileAbroad does not provide legal advice or tax litigation services.
Current pricing
Optional $100 scope assessment
30-Minute Expat Tax Scope Assessment
$100
Focused review of your filing situation with a written list of the years and forms that need attention, a document checklist, key scope flags, and an exact preparation quote when FileAbroad can accept the work.
Preparation is priced separately. A paid assessment is offered when substantive review is needed; it is not required for every preparation engagement. Straightforward tax-year-2025 federal expat returns start at $575, and standalone current-year FBAR preparation starts at $100. Prior-year, delinquent, amended, entity, trust, partnership, PFIC, Streamlined, and other complex international work is quoted after review.
The process
How the paid assessment works
- 1
Start the intake.
Tell me the broad facts of your situation without uploading sensitive tax documents through the public form.
- 2
I review the inquiry.
I personally review the intake to determine whether a FileAbroad consultation appears appropriate.
- 3
Book the consultation.
If the situation fits, you'll receive the scheduling and payment link for the $100 30-minute consultation.
- 4
We review the situation together.
We use the call to identify the relevant filing questions, missing information, and next practical step.
- 5
Preparation is separate.
If FileAbroad can accept preparation work, you receive the written scope and price before preparation begins.
Before you book
Consultation questions
Do I need a paid assessment before hiring FileAbroad?
Not for every engagement. Start with a brief intake to discuss needs, timing, process, and pricing. Straightforward preparation can proceed directly to an accepted written scope. A paid assessment is offered when substantive review is needed, with the fee explained before you decide.
What should I send before the consultation?
Start with the public intake and describe the broad facts of your situation. Do not send Social Security numbers, tax returns, bank statements, or other sensitive tax documents through the public intake form. If documents are needed later, I will provide secure upload instructions.
Will you tell me exactly what I need to file?
The consultation is designed to identify the filing issues that need attention and the information required to determine the next step. Some questions can be resolved during the call; others may require records, additional research, or preparation work outside the consultation.
Do I have to hire FileAbroad afterward?
No. The consultation stands on its own. If FileAbroad can accept preparation work, you can decide whether to proceed after the scope and price are confirmed.
Can you review documents during the consultation?
Limited document review may be possible when agreed in advance, but the consultation is not a substitute for a full document review or tax-preparation engagement.
Start here
Tell me what's going on.
You don't need to know which form, filing procedure, or service you need. Start with the broad facts, and I'll review whether intake or a paid assessment is the appropriate next step.
Tell me about your situationReady to begin? Start intake
Do not send sensitive tax documents through the public intake form or ordinary email.