Tax Software Recommendations for Expats

I've been searching the Forum for up to date recommendations on do it yourself software that's available for expats - can't seem to find much that is current.

I've mentioned on other threads that I've used TaxAct over the last couple of years and have generally been OK with it but their lack of a couple of forms meant that I've had to file in paper - I'm generally Ok with that and have begrudgingly come to terms with it.

My frustration now is that (like others on a separate post) I'm locked out of TaxAct and have no means of getting back in. Furthermore, I can't even register for a new account because of their US address/short code text verification process.

Here's my situation:

1. I don't have a US address and haven't had one for over 25 years.
2. I don't have any US relatives or anyone I can call upon to use their address.
3. I don't have a US cell phone to receive text verification codes or short codes.
4. I'm relatively tax-knowledgeable and happy to self-file, but with the guidance of software (helps check mathematical accuracy etc).

It seems that even wanting to legitimately buy tax software for expat filing is particularly difficult/impossible when you live abroad.

I've searched for software but would appreciate any recommendations that would meet my circumstances outlined above.

I did find MyExpatTaxes who are based in Austria https://www.myexpattaxes.com/ which I haven't heard of before, although they seem experienced - does anyone have experience or knowledge with them?

Their Trust Pilot reviews seem to be very good https://www.trustpilot.com/review/myexpattaxes.com?utm_medium=trustbox&utm_source=Slider

Any other recommendations greatly appreciated.

Just as a follow-up :

I went along the route of registering with MyExpatTaxes but soon concluded it's not for me. a €99 base fee soon became €499 when they concluded I need their premium version because of needing to file form 5471 (owning my own UK company - a PSC basically).

Think I'm heading down the route of downloading all the IRS forms and doing it myself - what a pain!

I don't know the answer but am posting to see if there are some recommendations.  I've always used my daughter's address but she is moving back to England next month.  She said she is going to set up a US forwarding address (paid by the month I assume) and I can also use that. I have one credit card with a US address that I use for purchasing TurboTax but if I don't have a US address associated with that card I'm going to be in a similar situation. (I do have another US credit card but that has my UK address)

I have used H&R Block deluxe version successfully for several years. It includes Form 8938. It is available from H&R Block direct and also from many other retailers, including Amazon.

I traditionally use TurboTax - largely due to Stockholm Syndrome, I don't like it but I know it, I can force it to do what I need, and it's not too ridiculously expensive. I do use an old US credit card to pay.

Another option I've only played with briefly is OLT. Free federal, so no worries about payment methods. I didn't love the interface, but compared to Free Fillable Forms or just paper forms, it's certainly better. Worth a try, nothing to lose!

Another option I've only played with briefly is OLT. Free federal, so no worries about payment methods. I didn't love the interface, but compared to Free Fillable Forms or just paper forms, it's certainly better. Worth a try, nothing to lose!

Thanks - the free filing options sadly have an AGI limit of $73,000 and I'm over that threshold.

Might give the H&R Block software a try as per @Anchor - available on Amazon.com @ $26.99 - hope it allows a UK download.  $26.99 Deluxe version does not ship to the UK (on Amazon) , but the $37.95 Premium version does - how strange is that!

My frustration now is that (like others on a separate post) I'm locked out of TaxAct and have no means of getting back in. Furthermore, I can't even register for a new account because of their US address/short code text verification process.

Sorry if this is going over old ground, but for TaxAct, do you really need a US address?  Just use the city/state/zip of TaxAct for your UK credit card.

And for a new account, just use a free online sms service like https://smsreceivefree.com/ to open an account, and immediately switchover to using Google Authenticator as your preferred way of receiving verification codes (circumventing the need for any phone number).

I just tested this with a bogus account setup and re-login; worked fine.

Sorry if this is going over old ground, but for TaxAct, do you really need a US address?  Just use the city/state/zip of TaxAct for your UK credit card.

And for a new account, just use a free online sms service like https://smsreceivefree.com/ to open an account, and immediately switchover to using Google Authenticator as your preferred way of receiving verification codes (circumventing the need for any phone number).

I just tested this with a bogus account setup and re-login; worked fine.

I did comment regarding my experience with TaxAct's verification.

https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=100264.0

https://smsreceivefree.com/ -  looks like this could be the answer!

@Alan - thanks so much for this - can't thank you enough!

Using https://smsreceivefree.com I managed to recover my TaxAct account in full and can now proceed with my 2021 taxes (just a few days left!)

@Barcrest - yes you and I had the same experience with account recovery of TaxAct - and thanks to @Alan - account is now fully recovered - for free!

Thanks all 

Thanks - the free filing options sadly have an AGI limit of $73,000 and I'm over that threshold.

Might give the H&R Block software a try as per @Anchor - available on Amazon.com @ $26.99 - hope it allows a UK download.  $26.99 Deluxe version does not ship to the UK (on Amazon) , but the $37.95 Premium version does - how strange is that!

For OLT, federal is free for everybody, the $73k limit only applies to state filings - not sure if you have any state ones to do at this point?

@Alan - thanks so much for this - can't thank you enough!

Using https://smsreceivefree.com I managed to recover my TaxAct account in full and can now proceed with my 2021 taxes (just a few days left!)

@Barcrest - yes you and I had the same experience with account recovery of TaxAct - and thanks to @Alan - account is now fully recovered - for free!

Thanks all 

@Alan - thanks so much for this - can't thank you enough!

Using https://smsreceivefree.com I managed to recover my TaxAct account in full and can now proceed with my 2021 taxes (just a few days left!)

@Barcrest - yes you and I had the same experience with account recovery of TaxAct - and thanks to @Alan - account is now fully recovered - for free!

Thanks all 

Smitch, Good to hear you're back in! Are your TaxAct previous returns preserved? When I log in its as if i've not actually filed - ever!

Did you used the permanent, or temporary number for the verification code? I see that the permanent stays for longer, (shows 2 months longevity right now).

The only issue I can see that could happen is if the authenticator app or phone broke and there was no back up. You'd need to recover your account, as of course the number you initially used no longer exists, (but maybe the permanent ones do).

@Barcrest

Yes all prior returns are there - I never actually filed via TaxAct - printed and filed on paper with additional (unsupported forms) - but all details still remain.

I used a temporary number which will be rotated and not available after a few weeks. I've set up authenticator and paid google for it (probably useful to have anyway).

If I ever get locked out again, I'll just go through the same restore process - I just used my last US address (from 1996!) - TaxAct asked me some questions that seemed to verify my local knowledge of where I lived and I was back in again with a reset password and temporary telephone number.

@Barcrest

Yes all prior returns are there - I never actually filed via TaxAct - printed and filed on paper with additional (unsupported forms) - but all details still remain.

I used a temporary number which will be rotated and not available after a few weeks. I've set up authenticator and paid google for it (probably useful to have anyway).

If I ever get locked out again, I'll just go through the same restore process - I just used my last US address (from 1996!) - TaxAct asked me some questions that seemed to verify my local knowledge of where I lived and I was back in again with a reset password and temporary telephone number.

I was able to get my previous years' returns restored - phew. After talking with their CSR, if you do forget your password, then the entire Google Authenticator system is deleted. They went on to say that you can only get back in to your account with an OTP being sent. Importantly, the Account Recovery option will not work.

I actually used https://smsreceivefree.com. So simple and straight forward and worked perfectly. I went on to then change the number back to my MJ, which of course can't be verified, (I didn't want to keep https://smsreceivefree.com number on my account). The account does complain that the phone number has not been verified and a red alert shows on the profile page, with the number greyed out and GA as the only option. I was able to log back in ok and via GA and all was well.

It's interesting to see the uses that people have for https://smsreceivefree.com.