Trying to get compliant, but clueless and skint

Without going into too much detail,  i need to get compliant with the IRS re reporting my UK income.

I have no idea where to start or what to do, but while googling stuff i saw that H&R Block have an expat tax department.  As that's who i used for my tax stuff in the US before i emigrated, i registered with them and completed a questionnaire online to determine what my situation is.  They have come back to me with a quote for how much it will cost for them to sort me out and get me caught up with my tax stuff:

$1400 US DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To say i am shocked is an understatement.  To say i dont have that money to shell out is also an understatement.

Is there a cheaper way?  I'm not sure i'm clever enough to DIY it... 

I thought it would be closer to $5000. 

Greenback have some good reviews. may be worth getting an estimate from them.

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/

It's quote complex to get compliant (3 years of tax returns and 6 years of FBARs) so don't be surprised at quotes.

I used Damian Talbot at Warrener Stewart (https://www.warrenerstewart.com/our-people/directors/damian-talbot-fca-cta-ea) back in 2016/17 - very good and got me and my wife fully compliant. I did quite a bit of the work myself (schedules etc) and he reviewed it and then filed on my behalf (Streamlined Foreign Offshore). He's both a UK Chartered Accountant and enrolled IRS Agent. Highly recommended. As I recall, cost me circa £1,200.

I’ll get you up to speed.  Let’s chat!

I thought it would be closer to $5000.

 

Thanks for the input guys....not sure what planet I'm living on when I feel something like this should cost £200!  LOL 

KFD - got your message.  Thank you!  We'll chat soon! 

I’ll get you up to speed.  Let’s chat!

Sorry to jump on this post!
I think I'm in a very similar circumstance... any advice you can offer, KF, would be appreciated. Thanks x


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I finally got all my docs together, worked it all out with help from a good friend  , and sent everything off via DHL on 1st of September.  Can not understate what a relief this is!

Did any of you do the Streamlined Foreign whatsit-thingmy, and do they send you anything to let you know all is ok?  The forms asked for my email, and obviously my resi address is on it... do they contact you in any way to confirm that you're up to date?

As I recall, the IRS doesn't confirm as such, but in my case I had a few dollars of tax to pay (basically Tax on UK ISA interest at the time) and the calculation of interest payable to the IRS on late filing (it was for an earlier year of the 3 years I went back) was slightly out - less than 10 bucks and so the IRS sent me a bill - that was the way I knew I was back in the system - and boy was I relieved!