About
Top Tax is a specialized tax self-preparation platform designed for US citizens and Green Card holders who reside outside the United States. Filing US taxes as an expat can be complex and costly, but Top Tax streamlines the entire process into a guided, intuitive experience that takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The platform features a smart questionnaire with built-in explanations to help users navigate the nuances of expat taxation — including foreign income exclusions, foreign tax credits, and other expat-specific forms. Unlike many competitors that advertise low base prices but pile on fees per additional form, Top Tax charges a flat $67 for 98% of users regardless of how many forms are required. Key highlights include no-password login via social media accounts, live chat support with real agents available most hours of the day, and automatic software updates to stay compliant with the latest IRS regulations. Once users complete and submit the questionnaire, Top Tax prepares the tax return within one business day. Users then e-sign their IRS consent form and Top Tax electronically files it on their behalf. Top Tax is ideal for digital nomads, expat professionals, retirees abroad, and anyone with a US tax obligation living outside the country who wants an affordable, hassle-free filing experience without hiring an expensive accountant.
Key Features
- Expat-Specific Tax Guidance: Purpose-built for US citizens and Green Card holders abroad, covering foreign income exclusions, foreign tax credits, and other expat-specific IRS forms.
- Smart Questionnaire with Explanations: An intuitive step-by-step questionnaire with simplified in-line help text guides users through the entire filing process without requiring tax expertise.
- Flat-Fee Pricing: 98% of users pay just $67 regardless of how many additional tax forms are needed — no surprise fees unlike many competitors.
- IRS E-Filing Included: Top Tax prepares and electronically files your completed return with the IRS within one business day after you e-sign the consent form.
- Automatic Tax Law Updates: The software auto-updates to reflect the latest IRS regulations so users stay compliant without any extra effort.
Use Cases
- A US citizen living in the UAE who needs to file an annual US federal tax return and wants to avoid high accountant fees.
- A digital nomad holding a US passport who travels between countries and needs a simple, guided way to stay IRS-compliant each year.
- An American retiree living in France who has foreign income and pension income and needs to maximize applicable deductions.
- A Green Card holder working abroad who must continue filing US tax returns despite living outside the United States.
- An expat professional in the UK who wants to complete their US tax filing quickly without learning complex tax rules.
Pros
- Transparent Flat Pricing: A single $67 fee covers virtually all users and all required forms, making costs predictable and far lower than hiring a CPA.
- Fast and Easy Process: The guided questionnaire reduces a typically complex expat tax filing down to under 10 minutes, even for non-experts.
- Live Chat Support: Real human agents are available via chat most hours of the day, providing reassurance when tricky tax questions arise.
- Highly Rated by Users: Holds a 4.8-star customer rating, outperforming major competitors including TurboTax and MyExpatTaxes.
Cons
- US Expats Only: The platform is narrowly focused on US citizens and Green Card holders abroad; it cannot be used for other country tax filings.
- Not the Cheapest Option: At $67, it is more expensive than some free or near-free alternatives like OLT, though those often lack expat-specific support.
- No Desktop or Mobile App: Top Tax is web-only with no dedicated iOS, Android, or desktop application available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Top Tax designed for?
Top Tax is built exclusively for US citizens and Green Card holders who live outside the United States and need to file a US federal tax return.
How much does Top Tax cost?
Top Tax charges a flat fee of $67, which covers 98% of users regardless of how many additional IRS forms are required. There are no hidden per-form fees.
How long does it take to file with Top Tax?
Most users can complete the tax questionnaire in under 10 minutes. After submission, Top Tax prepares and delivers the completed return within one business day.
Does Top Tax actually file my return with the IRS?
Yes. After you review and e-sign your IRS consent form, Top Tax electronically files your completed tax return directly with the IRS on your behalf.
Is my data secure when using Top Tax?
Top Tax uses secure login (including social media sign-in options) and follows standard data protection practices to keep your personal and financial information safe.
