We can help with foreign business tax returns

Whether you own a business in a foreign country or you’re looking to start one, our expat tax advisors can help you understand how your foreign business affects your U.S. taxes.

File with a tax advisor

Foreign business tax can be complex — we’ll make it easy

We have experienced advisors who can help explain your small business tax obligations and file the necessary U.S. forms to stay compliant. We’ve got you covered whether you own a Private Limited in the U.K., a SARL in France, or GmbH in Germany.

With the IRS’s increased scrutiny on foreign business compliance and the addition of new tax law changes that can affect your tax return, it’s essential to speak with a professional. We’ll walk you through your requirements to help reduce any tax exposure.

Our expert tax advisors can help with foreign business structures like:

Sole proprietors

Limited Companies

Partnerships

Trusts

Frequently asked questions

The IRS requires that you report your income statement and balance sheet from your foreign business, much like you would in the U.S. While these reports are mostly informational in nature, there can be very steep penalties for not filing them timely.

While you still need to report the income you earn from your company (whether that’s wages, dividends, or partnership income), you still must also report the activities of the business itself if your ownership exceeds certain threshold percentages.

This depends on what type of business it is, but the most common form is Form 5471, which is used to report an interest in certain foreign corporations. Another common form is Form 8865 used to report interests in partnerships abroad.

This can be quite complex. There are many details to consider when determining if one of these forms must be filed. Your ownership percentage, who else you own the business with, and your relationship to them all play a role. It’s usually best to discuss this with your tax advisor to get a handle on your overall situation.

Spruce Rewards are powered by Dosh. Cash back offers and amounts may vary by user, merchant location and offer period. Check the Spruce app for offer availability. Cash back earned by qualifying purchases will be deposited in your Spruce Savings Account. See Spruce Rewards powered by Dosh Terms for details.
Early access depends on when payment is submitted. Funds are generally made available when payment instruction is received, which may be earlier than scheduled payment date.
The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 09/23/2024. This rate is variable and can change without notice. Fees may reduce earnings. To start earning interest on your Spruce Savings Account, simply opt in through the Spruce app or at sprucemoney.com.
Offer from H&R Block. Requires 1) opening of new Spruce Accounts between 1/1/23 and 6/30/23; and 2) $200 in qualifying direct deposits within 45 days of opening. Qualifying direct deposits are ACH credits, including direct deposits (but not tax refunds). Deposits that do not qualify are mobile check deposits, internal transfers, transfers within Spruce from external accounts, or cash transfers. $50 will be deposited within 14 business days after completing all requirements. Spruce Accounts may not be closed or restricted at payout. You are responsible for tax treatment of funds. Limit one per customer. May be modified or discontinued at any time.
$30 in subsequent years for clients who maintain their accounts year-round. If, at the time you establish your Emerald Advance℠, you are a covered borrower as that term is defined in the Military Lending Act and its implementing regulations, including 32 CFR § 232.3 (a “Covered Borrower”), and so long as you remain a Covered Borrower, your annual fee will be waived.
35.9% APR applies during promotional period and for unsecured lines of credit. For full savings-secured lines of credit the APR is 9%. For more details, see the Terms & Conditions.
You’ll receive up to a $20 reward for each new client you refer that purchases a 12-month bookkeeping service, for a maximum of $300. A new client is someone who did not utilize H&R Block or Block Advisors’ bookkeeping services within the past year. The reward will be delivered for each new client after they purchase a 12-month bookkeeping service with H&R Block or Block Advisors. Rewards will be provided on virtual cards and are only available to individuals who provide a valid email address.
Valid for new clients at participating offices only. Applies only to original 2023 income tax returns. A new client is an individual or entity who did not use H&R Block or Block Advisors to prepare a 2022 tax return. Rewards will be provided on virtual cards and are only available to individuals who provide a valid email address. May not be combined with any other promotion. Void if transferred and where prohibited. No cash value. Coupon must be presented prior to completion of the new client’s initial interview. H&R Block employees are excluded. Expires April 10, 2024. OBTP# B13696 © 2023 HRB Tax Group, Inc
The merchants represented are not sponsors of the rewards or otherwise affiliated with this company. The logos and other identifying marks attached are trademarks of and owned by each represented company and/or its affiliates. Please visit each company's website for additional terms and conditions. Present the Terms and Conditions anytime you're presenting specific gift card use details. Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted around the world. Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Your use of the prepaid card is governed by the Cardholder Agreement, and some fees may apply. This is not a gift card. Please note that prepaid cards are subject to expiration, so pay close attention to the expiration date of the card.
Does not change IRS refund processing speed. Claim is based on making federal refunds available when payment instruction is received, which may be earlier than scheduled payment date. Depends on timing of the IRS’s payment file. Available only for federal refunds. May be changed or discontinued at any time.
H&R Block Free Online accepts more forms for free than the TurboTax Free Edition. Learn more about H&R Block Free Online available forms.
If H&R Block makes an error in your bookkeeping that requires a reopening of your books for any month, we will correct the error for the month the error occurred at no additional charge. Limitations apply. See blockadvisors.com/guarantees for complete details.
In order to file your state return, you first need to purchase and install the corresponding federal edition.
Enrollment in, or completion of, the H&R Block Income Tax Course or Tax Knowledge Assessment is neither an offer nor a guarantee of employment. Additional qualifications may be required. Enrollment restrictions apply. There is no tuition fee for the H&R Block Income Tax Course; however, you may be required to purchase course materials, which may be non-refundable. State restrictions may apply. The Income Tax Course consists of 63 hours of instruction at the federal level, 70 hours of instruction in Maryland, 81 hours of instruction in California, and 81 hours of instruction in Oregon. Additional time commitments outside of class, including homework, will vary by student. Additional training or testing may be required in CA, OR, and other states. Valid at participating locations only. Void where prohibited. This course is not open to any persons who are currently employed by or seeking employment with any professional tax preparation company or organization other than H&R Block. During the Income Tax Course, should H&R Block learn of any student’s employment or intended employment with a competing professional tax preparation company, H&R Block reserves the right to immediately cancel the student’s enrollment. The student will be required to return all course materials. CTEC# 1040-QE-2773 ©2023 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

Program rules: Limit of 5 paid referrals per Experienced Tax Pros and First Year Tax Pros and 4 paid referrals for Receptionists. All referrals must be submitted between 4/1/2024 – 3/31/2025 using hrblock.com/offers/tax-pro-referral. Tax Pro referrals must be submitted prior to a candidate’s enrollment in the Income Tax Course (ITC) or starting the Tax Knowledge Assessment (TKA) and the candidate must successfully pass the appropriate course/test with a minimum grade (70% for ITC and 80% for TKA). Receptionist referrals must be submitted prior to hire date. Referred candidates must become active by March 31, 2025 in order for the referral to be paid. Rewards will be paid May 2025.
Potential savings based on estimated self-employment tax savings of sole proprietor (Schedule C) users with over $40,000 in profit in 2023 by taking an S Corp election and filing in 2024, net of salary payments and payroll taxes. Election must generally be made by the due date of the return for the year prior to the year the S Corp election is to take place. Savings requires payment of a reasonable salary. Other requirements apply, and additional fees like tax preparation and payroll services are not included. Overall tax savings will vary based on your circumstances. All tax situations are different. Taxes are only one consideration in determining whether to form a business. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate all of the relevant considerations. Block Advisors Business Formation Products and Services provide automated online tools that you can use to help meet your business formation needs and are not tailored to your particular situation. See our FAQs for more information.
Comparison based on regular price on FreeTaxUSA.com as of 1/2/24. FreeTaxUSA is a registered trademark of TaxHawk, Inc.
Total number of new customers using assisted or DIY tax solutions regardless of other prior tax preparer or method.
Valid at participating U.S. offices for $150 off for full-service bookkeeping for new clients only. Valid 12-month engagement letter required. After the application of the discount in this offer, you will be charged monthly at the amount in the engagement letter. Discount may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Void if transferred and where prohibited. Coupon must be presented prior to start of bookkeeping services. A new client is an individual who has not used H&R Block or Block Advisors for bookkeeping services. No cash value. H&R Block employees are excluded. Expires Dec. 31, 2024. ©2024 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Valid at participating U.S. offices for new clients only who complete and submit a 2023 personal income tax return between April 4 to 10, 2024. While supplies last. Coupon code 76862 must be presented prior to completion of initial tax office interview. Qualifying clients will receive their Domino’s® coupon on or before April 15, 2024. A new client is an individual who did not use Block Advisors or H&R Block office services to prepare his or her 2022 return. Void if transferred and where prohibited. No cash value. Offer ends April 10, 2024. OBTP#B13696-BR. ©2024 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

Domino’s Gift Card delivered by email. See gift card for terms & conditions. Domino’s® and the modular logo are registered trademarks of Domino’s IP Holder LLC.
Our small business tax professional certification is awarded by Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, based upon successful completion of proprietary training. Our Block Advisors small business services are available at participating Block Advisors and H&R Block offices nationwide.
You’ll receive a $50 discount for each new client you refer that completes a 2023 tax return with H&R Block Expat Tax Services. A new client is someone who did not use H&R Block Expat Tax Services within the past 2 years. The discount will be applied for each new client after they prepare and pay for their tax return with H&R Block Expat Tax Services. Discounts will be applied to your next tax return prepared by H&R Block Expat Tax Services.
The decision to form a business entity is an important one that includes many considerations. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate all of the relevant considerations. Block Advisors Business Formation Products and Services provide automated online tools that you can use to help meet your business formation needs but are not specifically tailored to you or any particular situation.
Example savings based on average estimated tax savings of sole proprietor (Schedule C) with $50,000 in profit in 2022 compared to a similar S Corp election paying a reasonable salary of $25,000. Savings are net of salary payments and payroll taxes. Additional fees like tax preparation and payroll services are not included. Individual tax savings will vary based on your circumstances. All tax situations are different.
See Terms and Conditions for details. H&R Block does not provide legal representation. Business tax audit support does not include reimbursement of any taxes, penalties, or interest imposed by tax authorities.
Up to 30% savings reflects average savings based on national average fees for Federal Form 1040 plus Schedule C and one state filing in latest available 2020 survey conducted by the National Society of Accountants. All tax situations are different. Pricing will vary based on individual circumstances.