Switching Your Expat Tax Adviser Before January: A Checklist

Many Americans abroad change tax adviser after a hard season, and the weeks before January are the calm moment to do it. A switch goes smoothly when your new adviser has the right records on day one. Here is what to ask, what to bring and how to hand over.

• Do you prepare US returns for clients living in my country? Do you also file the local return, or work with someone who does?
• Do you file the FBAR and Form 8938, and are they included in your fee?
• If I have missed years, have you filed under the IRS Streamlined procedures before?
• What do you need from me, and by when?
• How do you want to receive my account information?

• Your last 3 US federal returns, with every schedule and form attached.
• Your FBARs (FinCEN 114) for the last 6 years, with the filing confirmations.
• Your local tax returns for the same years.
• A list of every account outside the US: institution, country, type, and the highest and year-end balance for each year.
• Any letters from the IRS or your local tax authority, and notes on anything still open.

Three returns and six FBARs is also what the IRS asks for if you catch up on missed years. Our Streamlined guide walks through it.

1. Ask your previous adviser for copies of your files and a note of anything pending before you part ways.
2. If your new adviser will deal with the IRS for you, they will ask you to sign Form 2848 (power of attorney) or Form 8821 (permission to see your tax information).
3. Missing an old return? You can get transcripts of past years from your IRS online account.
4. Agree the dates for the year ahead together. Our 2027 cross-border filing calendar lists the FBAR, Form 8938 and main local deadlines.

Aequify's marketplace lists tax advisers who work with US clients living abroad. Read their profiles and contact the ones that fit your country and situation.

Browse tax advisers on Aequify.

The account list is the slowest thing to rebuild. On Aequify you connect your accounts across countries once and see them in one place, and your adviser receives a tax-ready data pack instead of balances typed by hand, this year and every year after, whoever your adviser is.

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Tax adviser working with Americans abroad? See how Aequify works for tax advisers. Advice firm? See how Aequify works for advice firms.

This article provides general information and is not tax or legal advice. Talk to a qualified tax adviser about your own situation.