Greenback vs 1040 Abroad vs MyExpatTaxes: Expat Tax (2026)

You formed your LLC in Wyoming. You got your EIN. You opened a bank account. Now you need to file Form 5472, the annual information return the IRS requires from every foreign-owned single-member LLC. Miss it, and the penalty is $25,000 per form, per year.

You search for "expat tax services" and find a dozen providers. Greenback Expat Tax Services, MyExpatTaxes, 1040 Abroad, Bright!Tax, H&R Block Expat, all targeting Americans abroad. But your situation is different: you are not a US citizen living overseas. You are a non-US person who owns a US LLC. Most expat tax services were not built for you.

The dividing line is Form 5472. Here is how Greenback, 1040 Abroad, and MyExpatTaxes compare, and why one of them cannot serve non-resident LLC owners at all.

How do Greenback, 1040 Abroad, and MyExpatTaxes compare on price and coverage?

Greenback charges $565 for a federal return and handles Form 5472 as a CPA-prepared add-on. 1040 Abroad charges $500 for a federal return with Form 5472 at a flat $300. MyExpatTaxes starts at $115 for DIY software filing, but does not support Form 5472, Form 5471, or any foreign-owned LLC compliance forms.

Why does Form 5472 matter for non-resident LLC owners?

Every foreign-owned single-member LLC is required to file a pro-forma Form 1120 with Form 5472 attached, reporting all "reportable transactions" between the LLC and its foreign owner. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000 per form, per year. This is not a tax payment. It is an information return, and many non-resident founders do not know the requirement exists until they receive an IRS notice.

Reportable transactions include:

• Capital contributions (money you put into the LLC)
• Loans between you and the LLC
• Rent, service fees, or any payment between owner and entity
• Distributions (money the LLC pays you)

If you transferred $5,000 from your personal account to your LLC's Mercury account to cover operating expenses, that is a reportable transaction. If the LLC paid you a $2,000 distribution, that is a reportable transaction. The threshold for reporting is $0. Every dollar moves through Form 5472.

The filing deadline is April 15 (or the extended deadline of October 15 with Form 7004). The form requires attaching a pro-forma Form 1120, which means the preparer needs to understand both individual and corporate filing requirements.

This is why the preparer's Form 5472 experience is the first filter, not price, not UX, not brand recognition.

What does Greenback include?

Greenback is the largest dedicated expat tax firm, with 1,605 Trustpilot reviews at 5.0 stars. Every return is prepared by a US-credentialed CPA or Enrolled Agent assigned to the client (the same preparer year over year). Greenback handles both US citizen expat returns and foreign-owned LLC compliance (Form 5472, 5471, 8865), making it one of the few providers that serves both audiences.

Pricing breakdown:

For non-resident LLC owners: Greenback explicitly handles pro-forma 1120 + Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs. The company includes IRS representation if audited, and guarantees accuracy: they cover penalties if they make an error.

How it works: Sign up online, get assigned a CPA, upload documents through a secure portal, communicate via portal messaging and email. No video calls in the standard flow, but available on request.

What it costs for a non-resident LLC owner: A straightforward single-member LLC with Form 5472 + FBAR runs approximately $800–1,000. Add Schedule C self-employment income and the total approaches $1,200+. Add-ons stack. There is no flat-rate "all-inclusive" package.

Limitations: No DIY option. The $565 base is the floor, not the ceiling. No crypto-specific expertise advertised. Pricing is à la carte, so complex situations escalate quickly.

What does 1040 Abroad include?

1040 Abroad is a boutique CPA firm with the most transparent pricing in the expat tax space. Every form has a flat published price — no "contact us for a quote." Form 5472 at $300 flat is the lowest confirmed price among providers reviewed. The 5.0 Trustpilot rating (216 reviews) reflects a smaller but consistently positive client base.

Pricing breakdown:

For non-resident LLC owners: 1040 Abroad explicitly lists Form 5472 at a flat $300. Combined with the $500 federal return and $100 FBAR, the total for a straightforward foreign-owned LLC filing is $900. This is the most predictable pricing available.

How it works: Document upload through an online portal, communication primarily via email. The firm is smaller than Greenback, which means capacity constraints during peak season (February–April) but potentially faster turnaround during off-peak months.

What it costs for a non-resident LLC owner: $500 (1040) + $300 (5472) + $100 (FBAR) = $900 all-in for a standard filing. State return adds $100. No hidden fees, no tiered packages, no consultation required to get a price.

Limitations: Smaller firm with less brand recognition. The portal and website are functional but not as polished as Greenback or MyExpatTaxes. Fewer educational resources. Capacity is finite. During peak season, response times may extend.

What does MyExpatTaxes include?

MyExpatTaxes is the only true DIY software option in the expat tax space. The guided, TurboTax-style interface walks US citizen expats through FEIE, FBAR, and FATCA filing starting at $115. At 4,787 Trustpilot reviews with a 5.0 rating, it has the highest review volume of any expat tax provider. But it does not support Form 5472, Form 5471, Form 1065, or any foreign-owned LLC compliance filing.

Pricing breakdown:

For non-resident LLC owners: MyExpatTaxes does not serve this audience. The platform is built for US citizens and green card holders living abroad. It handles individual tax returns with expat-specific forms (FEIE, FBAR, FATCA) but has no capability for corporate information returns, foreign-owned entity compliance, or Form 5472 preparation.

Where MyExpatTaxes fits: If you are a US citizen digital nomad with W-2/1099 income, self-employment income via Schedule C, and need FEIE optimization, MyExpatTaxes is the lowest-cost option at $115–575. The software handles the complexity of multi-country tax positions through a guided interview. No CPA wait time, no back-and-forth.

Limitations: No support for non-resident aliens. No business entity returns. No Form 5472, 5471, 1065, or 8865. The Premium tier at $575 approaches CPA-service pricing ($500–565) without the same coverage depth. Limited to individual returns.

What about Bright!Tax, H&R Block, and TFX?

Bright!Tax ($800+ base) is the most expensive option and primarily serves US citizens with foreign corporations (Form 5471). H&R Block Expat ($119–239) offers brand recognition and a DIY option but does not clearly support Form 5472 in its expat tier. TFX ($450 base) has a 20-year track record but Form 5472 support is not prominently listed.

Bright!Tax bundles FBAR and FATCA into packages (saving vs. à la carte), but Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs is not a prominently advertised service. The 4.0 Trustpilot (lowest among dedicated expat firms) reflects complaints about communication delays and pricing surprises.

H&R Block can technically handle any IRS form through its business services division, but the expat tier is marketed to US citizens abroad. Non-resident LLC compliance would likely require their premium business services with quote-based pricing. The 1.2 Trustpilot reflects the domestic operation, not expat quality, but it signals organizational issues.

TFX (Taxes for Expats) has prepared expat returns for 20+ years and claims coverage in 190+ countries. The $450 base is competitive, and the educational content (country-specific tax guides) is extensive. Form 5472 support is not prominently listed, which may indicate it is handled on a case-by-case basis rather than as a standard service.

How much does a non-resident LLC filing actually cost?

A non-resident single-member LLC owner filing Form 5472 + FBAR pays $800–1,000 through Greenback or $900 through 1040 Abroad. MyExpatTaxes cannot serve this filing type at any price. The cost difference between providers is smaller than the $25,000 penalty for not filing.

The pricing gap is most dramatic for US citizen expats with simple returns: MyExpatTaxes at $195 vs. Greenback at $815. But for non-resident LLC owners, the gap between Greenback ($800–1,000) and 1040 Abroad ($900) is small enough that the decision comes down to service model preference, not cost.

Which expat tax service fits which situation?

Greenback fits non-resident LLC owners who want a dedicated CPA, IRS audit representation, and a proven track record with Form 5472. 1040 Abroad fits non-resident LLC owners who want the lowest transparent price and a straightforward CPA relationship. MyExpatTaxes fits US citizen digital nomads who want to self-file at the lowest possible cost.

Choose Greenback if: You own a foreign single-member LLC and need Form 5472 compliance. You want a dedicated CPA assigned year over year. You want IRS representation included. You are willing to pay a premium for the largest dedicated expat tax firm.

Choose 1040 Abroad if: You own a foreign single-member LLC and want the lowest confirmed price for Form 5472 ($300). You value transparent, published pricing over brand recognition. You are comfortable with a smaller firm and email-based communication.

Choose MyExpatTaxes if: You are a US citizen or green card holder living abroad. You have W-2, 1099, or Schedule C income. You want to self-file through guided software. You do not own a foreign corporation or a US LLC as a non-resident.

Choose Bright!Tax if: You are a US citizen who owns a foreign corporation (Form 5471 is their strength). You want FBAR and FATCA bundled into the base price. You prefer CPA-only preparation.

Choose H&R Block Expat if: You have a simple US expat return and want the lowest managed price ($239 with advisor). You value brand recognition and a physical office network in the US.

What this comparison does not address

This comparison covers tax preparation services for annual compliance filings. It does not address:

• Tax planning or structuring — whether an LLC is the right entity for your situation. See the entity decision framework.
• State-level tax obligations — nexus, franchise tax, or state income tax implications. See the best state for LLC comparison.
• Formation services — the LLC creation process itself. See the formation service comparison.
• Bookkeeping — ongoing transaction categorization and financial record maintenance. See the bookkeeping comparison.
• Banking — which accounts non-resident LLC owners can open. See the banking comparison.

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FAQ

What is Form 5472 and who needs to file it?

Form 5472 is an information return required by the IRS from every US LLC that has a 25% or greater foreign owner. For single-member LLCs owned by non-US persons, the LLC files a pro-forma Form 1120 (corporate return) with Form 5472 attached, reporting all transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000 per form, per year. The filing deadline is April 15, with an extension available to October 15 via Form 7004.

Can I file Form 5472 myself without a CPA?

The IRS does not require professional preparation for Form 5472. The form can be filed by anyone. In practice, Form 5472 requires preparing a pro-forma Form 1120, correctly categorizing reportable transactions, and understanding the reporting thresholds. Most non-resident LLC owners use a CPA because the $25,000 penalty for errors makes the $300–565 preparation cost a small price relative to the risk.

What is the difference between Form 5472 and Form 5471?

Form 5472 is filed by US entities (like a US LLC) that have foreign owners. Form 5471 is filed by US persons who own foreign corporations. They are opposite directions of the same reporting obligation. A non-US person who owns a US LLC files Form 5472. A US citizen who owns a company registered in Singapore files Form 5471. Different forms, different preparers, different expertise.

Does MyExpatTaxes work for non-resident LLC owners?

No. MyExpatTaxes is built for US citizens and green card holders living abroad. The software handles Form 1040 with expat-specific forms (FEIE, FBAR, FATCA) but does not support Form 5472, Form 5471, Form 1065, or any foreign-owned entity compliance. Non-resident LLC owners need a CPA service that handles Form 5472. Greenback and 1040 Abroad both offer this.

What happens if I miss the Form 5472 filing deadline?

The base penalty is $25,000 per form, per year. If the IRS sends a notice and the form is not filed within 90 days, additional penalties of $25,000 per 30-day period apply, with no statutory cap. The IRS has increased enforcement of Form 5472 compliance since 2017, when reporting requirements expanded to cover foreign-owned single-member LLCs. Late filing or non-filing is the single largest penalty exposure for non-resident LLC owners.

Key Takeaways

• Form 5472 compliance is the critical filter for non-resident LLC owners choosing a tax preparer. Only Greenback ($235–380) and 1040 Abroad ($300) clearly support and price this filing.
• MyExpatTaxes (5.0 Trustpilot, 4,787 reviews) is the strongest option for US citizen expats , but does not serve non-resident LLC owners at all. It has no Form 5472 capability.
• The total annual cost for a non-resident LLC filing (Form 5472 + FBAR) is $800–1,000 through Greenback or $900 through 1040 Abroad. The difference between providers is far smaller than the $25,000 non-filing penalty.
• 1040 Abroad has the most transparent pricing in the expat tax space — every form has a published flat price, no consultation required.
• Bright!Tax ($800+ base, 4.0 Trustpilot) is strongest for US citizens with foreign corporations (Form 5471) but does not clearly advertise Form 5472 support for non-resident LLC owners.

Related Reading

• Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase vs Doola (2026) — formation service comparison including annual compliance obligations
• Best State for LLC: Non-Resident Guide (2026) — Wyoming vs Delaware vs New Mexico state-level compliance costs
• doola vs Pilot vs DIY: Bookkeeping for Non-Resident LLCs (2026) — ongoing financial record maintenance
• Mercury vs Wise vs Relay: Business Banking for Non-Residents (2026) — banking options for non-resident LLC owners
• Entity Decision Framework for Cross-Border Founders — whether an LLC is the right structure
• Non-Resident Banking: Structural Fragility — single-bank dependency risk
• How to Form a US LLC as a Non-Resident (2026) — step-by-step formation process
• Tax Residency Determination: Practical Guide (2026) — multi-jurisdiction tax residency analysis

References

• IRS Form 5472 Instructions — information return for 25%-foreign-owned US corporations and foreign-owned single-member LLCs
• IRS Form 5472 Penalty: IRC §6038A(d) — $25,000 penalty per form per year for failure to file
• Treasury Regulations §1.6038A-1 through -7 — reporting requirements for foreign-owned US corporations
• Greenback Expat Tax Services — CPA-prepared expat tax returns and Form 5472 compliance
• 1040 Abroad — CPA-prepared expat tax returns with published flat-rate pricing
• MyExpatTaxes — DIY expat tax software for US citizens abroad
• Bright!Tax — CPA-prepared expat tax returns, Form 5471 specialization

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