Salary After Tax · Updated June 2026

US Expat Tax Filing Cost Calculator

What expat compliance actually costs in 2026: self-filing $0–$140 (software with expat support), standard preparer-filed expat returns $400–$800, complexity-priced returns (PFIC, foreign company, multi-country) $1,200–$3,500+, and Streamlined catch-up packages $1,500–$4,000.

Price drivers are forms, not income: each PFIC fund (Form 8621) adds $150–$400; a foreign company (5471) adds $500–$1,500; foreign trusts (3520) similar. The cheapest tax strategy is an investment structure that avoids the forms.

Salary after tax calculator · 2026

Where

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Filing status (US)

401(k) deferral % (US)

Pre-tax health (USD/mo, US)

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Effective rate: –
Marginal rate: –

Where every dollar goes

2026 rules: federal brackets, $16,100/$32,200 standard deductions, $184,500 SS wage base. Hourly figures assume 40 h/week × 52. Non-US figures are planning estimates incl. employee social charges.

Key insights

Typical preparer-filed expat return: $400–$800 (2026).
Each PFIC fund adds $150–$400 of form work.
Foreign company (5471): +$500–$1,500/year.
Streamlined catch-up: $1,500–$4,000 all-in.
Structure choices, not negotiation, cut costs most.

Cutting the bill without cutting corners

Structure: hold US-domiciled ETFs (kills PFIC forms), keep accounts consolidated (simpler FBAR), and prefer salary over foreign-entity structures while abroad unless the numbers clearly pay for the 5471 overhead.

Shop the market: expat-specialist firms quote flat menus; Big-4 quality isn't necessary for salary-and-FBAR returns. DIY suits FEIE-only filers; outsource the year you add a property, entity, or equity event.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much does expat tax filing cost?

Simple FEIE returns: $0–140 self-filed or $400–800 prepared. Add PFICs, entities, or multiple countries and $1,200–$3,500 is normal. Streamlined catch-up packages run $1,500–$4,000.

Is expat software good enough?

For salary + FEIE + FBAR: yes, several mainstream products handle 2555/1116 well. Entities, PFICs, treaties-by-position, or equity events justify a specialist.

Why do PFICs cost so much to report?

Form 8621 demands per-fund computations under punitive default rules – labour-intensive even for pros. Holding US-domiciled ETFs avoids the form entirely.

What does Streamlined cost vs the risk?

$1,500–$4,000 typically – against FBAR penalty exposure that starts at $10,000-class figures for ordinary cases. For non-willful non-filers, it's the cheapest insurance in expat tax.

Are filing costs deductible?

Not on the personal side under current law; self-employed filers can allocate the business portion to Schedule C.

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