Navigating the path to peace of mind

McGowin Tax is a CPA firm dedicated exclusively to international tax. We help US citizens, green card holders, and others with US ties who live abroad file their federal and state returns, report foreign accounts on the FBAR and FATCA Form 8938, claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555), and handle Forms 3520 and 5471.

Book a free consultationBehind on filings? See how to catch up
Forms we file for Americans abroad9 forms

Who we help

Your world is borderless, but your tax obligations aren’t.

International taxation can be daunting, especially alongside everything else that comes with life abroad. Our team simplifies your tax responsibilities, so you can focus on that life instead of the paperwork.

  • Americans living abroad

    US citizens and green card holders who live and work outside the United States.

  • Digital nomads and the self-employed

    Location-independent workers and business owners whose income crosses borders.

  • Foreign nationals with US income

    Non-US persons who earn income from the United States, or plan to move here.

  • People considering renouncing

    Anyone weighing the tax side of giving up US citizenship.

What we handle

The returns, information forms, and planning that come with a US tax life lived somewhere else.

Tax compliance and return filings

Filing accurately in international tax is crucial, and hard when your life spans two tax systems. We prepare your federal and state returns and the foreign reporting that comes with them, and keep you current as the rules change. You get personal guidance along the way, not just a filed return.

1040
US individual income tax return
2555
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)
1116
Foreign Tax Credit
FBAR
FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
8938
FATCA Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets

Nonresident return filings

Non-US persons earning income from the United States face US tax and reporting rules with many traps for the unwary, and often planning opportunities too. We advise on what you must file to stay out of trouble and avoid penalties, and apply the rules so your US tax is no more than it needs to be.

1040-NR
US Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
1120-F
US Income Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation
5472
25% foreign-owned US corporations, and foreign corporations in a US business
W-8
W-8BEN, W-8ECI, and the rest of the series, to certify foreign status
W-7
Application for an ITIN

  • Tax treaty analysis

    Applying tax treaties to reduce or eliminate US tax for foreign persons and entities.

  • Pre-immigration tax planning

    Planning before you become a US tax resident, to minimize liabilities and set up your tax position.

Expatriation

Giving up US citizenship isn’t a decision to take lightly, and tax is only one part of it. The decision is yours. We advise you on the tax implications so you make it with the full picture.

8854
Initial and Annual Expatriation Statement

  • Analysis

    Your financial profile, reviewed for tax risks and opportunities.

  • Planning

    Pre-expatriation planning to avoid or reduce the exit tax.

  • Preparation

    Getting caught up before you expatriate, including the Relief Procedures for Certain Former Citizens.

  • Reporting

    Advice on Form 8854 and your reporting strategy.

Foreign trusts and gifts

Foreign trusts come with detailed US filing requirements that take real expertise to get right. We guide you through every step of foreign trust taxation, so your reporting is accurate and compliant with cross-border tax law, and your interests stay protected.

3520
Foreign trusts and large foreign gifts
3520-A
Annual information return of a foreign trust with a US owner

Foreign entities

Owning a foreign company, partnership, or disregarded entity brings its own US reporting. We handle the specific requirements for reporting foreign entity activity with precision, and make an intricate process straightforward.

5471
US persons with interests in foreign corporations
8865
US persons with interests in foreign partnerships
8858
US persons with foreign disregarded entities

Behind on filings?

  • For U.S. taxpayers living abroad

    Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures(SFOP)

  • For U.S. residents

    Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures(SDOP)

  • Missed FBARs only

    Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures

Missed US returns or FBARs while living abroad? You’re not the first, and there is a way back. The IRS offers programs for taxpayers whose missed filings were not willful. We’ll help you find the right one and guide you through each step, from gathering documents to submitting accurate back filings.

Talk to us about catching up

Free, confidential, and no judgment.

A relationship that runs all year

A filing is one date on the calendar. We coordinate with everyone else involved in your finances and plan around every date that matters, so nothing lands as a surprise.

  • Foreign advisors

    Our network abroad, or your existing local advisor, so the filings in both countries agree.

  • US states

    State residency and filing obligations, handled together with your federal return.

  • Your systems

    We work inside your bookkeeping and accounting systems when your situation calls for it.

  • One team

    Tax, bookkeeping, and CFO support from the same people, over Zoom and email, in your time zone.

Apr 15Returns and FBAR dueThe standard due date for individual returns and the FBAR, plus the first estimated payment.

The standard due date for individual returns and the FBAR, plus the first estimated payment.

Federal dates. They move to the next business day when they fall on a weekend or holiday.

Alex McGowin, founder of McGowin Tax

Who you’ll work with

Alex McGowinFounder

  • Founder of the McGowin Tax YouTube channel
  • Author of the articles and the Talking Expat Taxes podcast
  • Speaks at colleges on international taxation
  • Keynotes at events around the world

That is what Alex does with his free time. By day, he and his team run McGowin Tax, helping people with international interests like you.

More about Alex and McGowin Tax

Client story

What our clients say

We went to McGowin Tax, LLC on the recommendation of our financial advisor, and after receiving indifferent service from our longstanding tax consultant. The difference in service that Alex McGowin brought to us has been incredible! He is very easy to deal with, and quick to respond, even during peak tax preparation time. We are delighted that we made the move.”

P. Goldson

Other projects?

Our services go beyond what’s listed here. If you have a US tax question that crosses borders, book a free consultation. If your needs fall outside our expertise, we’ll point you to the right help.

Book a free consultation