Taxes for Expats vs H&R Block Expat Tax Services

H&R Block offers both self-service expat software and advisor preparation, while TFX is positioned around specialist professional preparation.

What this issue means for Americans abroad

H&R Block currently advertises online expat filing from $124 plus $49 per FBAR, and advisor-led filing from $259 plus $99 per FBAR for a basic employee situation.

Its advisor pricing rises for investor/self-employed and non-U.S. business-owner situations. That tiering makes the actual fact pattern important when comparing to TFX's published $450 federal-return starting price.

Both providers can address common expat issues, but their pricing architecture and service channels differ.

A practical way to work through it

Start with the filing obligation before deciding which exclusion, credit, treaty position, information return, or reporting exception might apply. U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad are generally taxed on worldwide income, but the mechanism for reducing double taxation and the forms required depend on the income, asset, account, entity, and country involved.

1. Decide whether you want software or an advisor.
2. Identify FBAR, Form 8938, entity, rental, investment and state-return needs.
3. Compare like-for-like service tiers.
4. Ask what is included in the quoted review and communication scope.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using the lowest H&R Block software price as the comparison for a professionally prepared TFX return.
• Ignoring per-form and FBAR charges.
• Assuming a national brand automatically means your exact international form is included.

Do not assume that paying tax in another country, being below a local filing threshold, or using a foreign account automatically removes a U.S. filing or information-reporting requirement. Conversely, do not assume every foreign asset requires every international form. The definitions and thresholds differ by regime.

Records worth gathering before you file

Keep the documents that establish ownership, dates, balances, income, taxes paid, exchange-rate conversions, and your residence/work pattern. For accounts and assets, year-end values may not be enough because some U.S. reporting tests use the highest value during the year. For treaty or totalization positions, keep the official certificates or statements supporting the position.

When professional preparation may be useful

Specialist help becomes more valuable when several international systems overlap—for example, a foreign company plus salary, a pension plus investment accounts, several missed years, a move between countries, or a filing position that depends on a treaty. The useful comparison is the complete form set and review scope, not just the cheapest advertised base return.

Related expat tax guides