Greenback vs 1040 Abroad: Side-by-Side Comparison
Side-by-side comparison across 16 dimensions. Data is approximate and for informational purposes only.
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| Dimension | Greenback | 1040 Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Model | CPA-managed | CPA-managed |
| Federal Return (1040) | $565 | $500 |
| FBAR (FinCEN 114) | $125 (up to 5 accounts) | $100 |
| FATCA (Form 8938) | $120 (up to 5 accounts) | Free with federal return |
| Form 5472 (Foreign-owned LLC) | $405 (foreign-owned US LLC); $275 (corporation) | $300 (includes pro-forma 1120) |
| Form 5471 (Foreign Corp) | $750 (active); $350 (dormant) | $1,000 |
| Form 8865 (Foreign Partnership) | $475 | Unknown — ask vendor |
| State Return | $185 | $100 |
| FEIE (Form 2555) | Included | Included |
| Streamlined Filing (Catch-up) | $1,750 | $1,800 |
| Who Prepares | CPAs and EAs | CPAs |
| Turnaround | 2–4 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8 (1,654 reviews) | 4.9 (231 reviews) |
| Non-Resident LLC Support | Yes (Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120) | Yes (Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120) |
| IRS Representation | Not available | Unknown — ask vendor |
| Accuracy Guarantee | Not available | Unknown — ask vendor |
Key Notes
Greenback
CPA-prepared with the widest per-form coverage, including Form 5472 plus the pro-forma 1120 that foreign-owned single-member LLCs need. Priced per form rather than by tier, so cost scales with the number of information returns filed. Its client agreement scopes out IRS audit representation and offers no accuracy guarantee.
1040 Abroad
CPA-prepared, with the cheapest Form 5472 filing of the three ($300, pro-forma 1120 included) — the decisive form for foreign-owned single-member LLCs. Cheaper than Greenback on the base return and 5472, but MORE expensive on Form 5471 ($1,000 vs $750), so "cheaper across the board" does not hold. Streamlined catch-up is near-parity with Greenback.
What Real Users Say
Anonymized and paraphrased observations from founder communities, review platforms, and forums.
Greenback is more expensive but their CPAs specialize in expat tax. 1040 Abroad is cheaper and uses a more templated approach. Complex situations (multiple countries, LLC + personal) favor Greenback.
Source: Reddit r/expats1040 Abroad turnaround is faster for simple returns. Greenback takes longer but their review process catches more cross-border issues.
Source: Trustpilot reviewsNeither handles FBAR filing well as an add-on. Both charge extra for it. Budget $200-400 on top of the base fee if you have foreign accounts.
Source: Founder communitiesVisit These Services
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Compared
We compared filing costs for key forms (1040, FBAR, FATCA, 5472), service models, non-resident LLC support, and accuracy guarantees from each provider's website.
Disclaimer: All data on this page is approximate and for informational purposes only. Pricing, features, and availability change frequently. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify all figures directly with each provider before making decisions. Data reflects conditions as of early 2026.
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