Millennium Park Taxes
U.S. Taxes for Expats
About Us
Millennium Park Taxes - U.S. Taxes for Expats
You are a U.S. citizen living abroad and just found out that you have a tax filing obligation in the U.S.? Or have you been filing your U.S. taxes every year but are looking to hire a professional tax preparer?
I know how overwhelming taxes can be and that you would probably prefer to avoid them. So I am here to help.
Millennium Park Taxes is a tax services and advisory firm that provides U.S. tax advice to American citizens living abroad — in Germany and around the world.
I value confidentiality and trust – clients receive one-on-one advice
I am responsive and efficient – my clients come first
I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of work experience, including at one of the largest public accounting firms in the world
I am a U.S. citizen living abroad – just like you
What makes me unique is that I have first-hand experience with the challenges that my clients face: I founded Millennium Park Taxes because I know exactly what its like to navigate multiple tax jurisdictions.
Since I am a native German and English speaker, I am able to explain complicated tax concepts in both languages and provide customer service in either tongue.
All Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are required to obtain continuing education annually to maintain their professional licenses. This assures that I stay abreast of the latest tax developments and will therefore provide you with accurate and timely advice.
I am U.S. educated and have obtained my work experience in the U.S. at one of the largest international accounting firms in the world. I pride myself on providing top-notch, professional client service.
Can you help me with my German tax filings?
No. I am a U.S. CPA – not a German Steuerberater. At this time, I only offer U.S. tax services to U.S. citizens living abroad. However, by working in consultation with German tax accountants, I ensure that your U.S. taxes are done with your German tax obligations in mind and vice versa.
Contact me now to discuss your U.S. tax filing obligations in a free 15-minute conversation.
-Julia
What our Clients Say
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“I used Millennium Park Taxes for my first U.S. tax return filing as an ex-pat. I was nervous and stressed about the task since I had no prior experience, but working with Millennium Park Taxes made me feel much calmer. I had to report employment income, self employment income, stock transactions, and dividends from two different countries which made my return complex, but all of my questions were answered quickly and competently. You can expect professional service at every step of the process. I highly recommend using Millennium Park Taxes for any type of U.S. tax filings you need, no matter how simple or complex.”
Lily A.
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“Tackling the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the American tax system as an expat was not an option for me. Thankfully, I feel like my taxes are in the best of hands with Millennium Park Taxes. Not only is everything accomplished quickly and with minimal effort on my part, I also get much needed reminders and information so I don't drop the ball. I highly recommend working with Millennium Park Taxes if you need some peace of mind when it comes to navigating your tax obligations as an American living abroad.”
Melissa M.
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“As an expat living in Berlin, navigating the murky waters of tax season has always been a nightmare. With several poor experiences already under my belt, I was once again on the search for another tax adviser. When I first reached out to Millennium Park Taxes, I was skeptical at first but was quickly put at ease. MPt was quick in responding to my inquiries with same or next day responses. The turnaround time was flawless. Not only did MPt handle the filing of my U.S. tax return with relative ease, I was put in contact with a trusted German counterpart to handle my Steuererklaerung in Germany. The overall process was seamless, quick, and affordable. The wealth of knowledge and experience displayed by MPt has reassured me that I've finally found a trusted adviser for all of my future tax needs.”
John L.
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“Julia's help with my tax return and tax planning was by far the best experience I've had in the past several years. Following several years of doing taxes myself, with online services, or with larger firms, I found Julia at Millennium Park Taxes to be personal, extremely competent, and thorough. I would highly recommend working with her.”
A. G.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Yes, as a U.S. citizen living abroad, the same requirements for filing a U.S. income tax return apply to you as to any U.S. citizen or Green Card holder living in the U.S. Continue reading below to see what the requirements are.
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If you are single or married to another U.S. citizen or Green card holder, and your gross income exceeds $12,000, even if earned abroad, you are required to file a U.S. tax return. This requirement goes down to $400 if you are self-employed. The requirement goes down to $5 of gross income, if you are a U.S. citizen filing separate from your spouse, as is most likely the case if your spouse is not a U.S. citizen.
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Fortunately, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has a program that allows U.S. taxpayers who have not been filing their U.S. tax returns to come forward and avoid the penalties associated with failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, accuracy-related penalties, information return penalties, or FBAR penalties. The so called Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures are available to U.S. citizens who have not willfully missed their U.S. tax obligations and who meet certain other requirements. I can help you determine whether you are eligible for the procedures and subsequent penalty relief. Contact me today.
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Not filing your taxes is not only not recommended but it is also illegal. If you need assistance with assessing your tax filing situation and whether you qualify for the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, please contact me.
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The U.S. has existing income and estate tax treaties with a number of different countries. The goal is to avoid double taxation, and by applying the tax treaties correctly to both the German and U.S. tax return, there will be no double taxation. When I work on your U.S. tax return, I always keep your German tax return in mind and work closely with my network of German Steuerberater, or your already existing German Steuerberater if you so wish, to avoid double taxation.
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Any income generated from U.S. investments, such as mutuals funds, index funds, or brokerage accounts, needs to be reported as income on your U.S. tax return. You likely have received a Form 1099 informing you of your income for the year. Even if you have not, though, you will still have to report that income.
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All U.S. taxpayers have a tax filing deadline of April 15th, following the close of the calendar year. As U.S. citizens living abroad, you can get an automatic 2 months extension until June 15th. If you cannot file your tax return by the original due date, an additional extension can be granted until October 15th. Please note however that the extension is only granted for filing the tax return, not for paying any tax liability. If there is a tax due on your return, the tax would still have to be paid by April 15th in order to avoid any penalties or interest.
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If you are employed, I would use the same Lohnbescheid that is being used for your German tax return. As a native German speaker, I understand all German documents and do not need translations.
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It matters whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or non-U.S. citizen. It will have a direct effect on your filing threshold requirement. If you are married to another U.S. citizen or Green card holder, and your gross income exceeds $12,000, even if earned abroad, you are required to file a U.S. tax return. This requirement goes down to $400 if you are self-employed. The requirement goes down to $5 of gross income, if you are a U.S. citizen filing separate from your spouse, as is most likely the case if your spouse is not a U.S. citizen.
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Yes, your bank account balances matter. The Department of Treasury requires all U.S. citizens and Green Card holders, whether they live in the U.S. or abroad, to report their non-U.S. bank accounts via the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). This reporting requirement begins if the cumulative amount of all of your non-U.S. bank accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, and certain insurance policies exceeds $10,000 at any given point in the year. For this purpose, even bank accounts that you do not own yourself but merely have signature authority for (i.e. Vollmachten), need to be reported. Note that this filing is separate from filing your U.S. tax returns.scription
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The IRS has a program for that as well. The Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures are available to taxpayers who may not be delinquent in filing their U.S. tax returns but have not filed the required Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). I can help you with that.
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No, I am a U.S. CPA – not a German Steuerberater. At this time, I only offer U.S. tax services to U.S. citizens living abroad. However, by working in consultation with German tax accountants, I ensure that your U.S. taxes are done with your German tax obligations in mind and vice versa.
The Minimum Filing Requirements for U.S. Federal Income Tax Returns
Facts
As a U.S. citizen living abroad, you have the same minimum filing requirements for filing a U.S. federal income tax return as U.S. citizens or Green Card holders who live in the U.S. Depending on your filing status, age, and type of income, different annual income thresholds apply that trigger a filing requirement.
Many taxpayers wonder whether their dependent children have their own filing requirement. The answers is: it depends. Age, marital status, and type of income are determining factors when it comes to the filing requirement of dependents.
However, most single dependents who earn more than $12,950 of income or $1,100 of unearned income (such as interest, dividends, rental income, etc) have their own federal income tax filing requirement. All filing situations are unique though and should be looked at in more detail.
Sources
The IRS website provides a helpful tool that allows U.S. citizens and Green Card holders to determine whether they have to file a federal income tax return: https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return
In order for a taxpayer to determine their filing status, the IRS website provides the following tool: https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status
There are a variety of other factors that could determine whether you need to file a tax return, even if your income is below the minimum thresholds listed above, for example if you are self-employed earning gross receipts of at least $400 or you owe Alternative Minimum Tax.
I am here to help – contact me today.
Services
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U.S. citizens in the U.S. or abroad
Green Card holders in the U.S. or abroad
Expats/foreign nationals on assignment in the U.S.
Foreign nationals with income from the U.S.
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Foreign individuals or entities receiving payment from the U.S.
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You are a U.S. citizen but have never filed a U.S. tax return before?
I will assist you in becoming compliant with your U.S. tax filings
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Advice and assistance with the application of the U.S.-Germany Totalization Agreement (Sozialversicherungsabkommen) for employees and self-employed individuals