Is this common?

I've gone through my taxes and are ready submit.  My refund is $0.  Based on my income I didn't really expect to owe any $ and I never expected to receive any either, however wanted to see if this outcome is somewhat common as an expat.  Any thoughts? Have you had similar experiences or results?

Yes - that could easily be the right answer. If you don't have investments, money in the US, children or other complicating factors.

In a fair world, it would be the answer for almost all us US expats except without the forms!

I don't know why or how, but I always got a refund from the US (and my state) for income earned in the UK.  At the time, I didn't have a particularly complicated tax situation, no kids, no mortgage for most years, no investments outside of 401Ks.  I never questioned it with the accountant and just figured that was what I paid him to do. 

I don't want to cast doubt on your return, as I am sure it depends on your income and various other factors, but may be worth just double checking your inputs one last time. 

Perfectly normal to get 0, it's what I get every year.

I don't know why or how, but I always got a refund from the US (and my state) for income earned in the UK.  At the time, I didn't have a particularly complicated tax situation, no kids, no mortgage for most years, no investments outside of 401Ks.  I never questioned it with the accountant and just figured that was what I paid him to do. 

I don't want to cast doubt on your return, as I am sure it depends on your income and various other factors, but may be worth just double checking your inputs one last time. 

Are you paying US tax throughout the year that is being refunded?  Or are you receiving some sort of refundable credit?  If you have neither of these situations, you should be concerned that you are receiving refunds.

One year it was a credit that the president (can't remember if it was GW or Obama) had put into effect.  Other years it was probably credits due to student loans and the last year I lived in the UK it was something about changing the way foreign income credits were calculated.  Since I was leaving the UK and had stopped working, switching from one method to the other was beneficial in my case.  Like I said, I had an accountant doing my taxes and I trust him, he explained it to me each time, It's just been a few years and I don't remember the details.  But the first year it happened, I totally questioned it, cause it just didn't seem right, but it was.  I am back in the US now and not working...so I don't get any refunds now!