Nomadic.Tax
JURISDICTION/US AUTHORITY/IRS TAX YEAR/2025 CLUSTER/US

US Tax Filing for Digital Nomads

Working from Bali this month and Lisbon next doesn't exempt you from US taxes — but it does open up powerful exclusions. As a digital nomad with US citizenship or a green card, you likely qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion via the Physical Presence Test, one of the most valuable tools available for location-independent workers. We handle the complexity so you can focus on your work.

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APPLICABILITY/WHO THIS IS FOR

Who this is for

✓ US citizens or green card holders working remotely without a fixed home base
✓ Freelancers and contractors with clients in multiple countries
✓ Self-employed workers using platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal
✓ Nomads spending time across multiple countries each year
✓ Those with income in multiple currencies who need US reporting
FILING RECORD/FORMS THAT MAY APPLY

What this filing may involve

Every situation is different. The forms below commonly apply — your specific filing may vary.

Form 1040 — US Individual Income Tax Return)
Schedule C — self-employment income and business expenses
Form 2555 — Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Physical Presence Test common for nomads)
Schedule SE — Self-Employment Tax (applies even with FEIE)
FinCEN Form 114 — FBAR) — for any foreign accounts over $10,000 aggregate
Form 8938 — FATCA reporting if foreign financial assets exceed thresholds
DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION REQUIRED

Documents usually needed

■ Records of all income received (invoices, 1099s, platform payment summaries)
■ Travel records showing dates in each country (passport stamps helpful)
■ Bank statements for all accounts, including foreign accounts
■ Records of business expenses (software, equipment, coworking, etc.)
■ Prior year US tax return
■ Social Security number or ITIN
PROCESS/RETURN ASSEMBLY

How Nomadic.Tax works

AI-assisted preparation with licensed professional review — every time.

1
INFORMATION
Answer our questionnaire about your travel pattern, income sources, and residency
2
DOCUMENTS
Upload income records and expense documentation to your secure dashboard
3
AI PREPARATION
Our AI determines your FEIE eligibility, calculates self-employment tax, and identifies all deductions
4
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW / E-FILE
A licensed CPA verifies the Physical Presence Test qualification and reviews your return before e-filing
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW/CPA / ACCOUNTANT SIGN-OFF

When human review matters

ⓘ The Physical Presence Test requires exactly 330 full days outside the US — travel records are reviewed carefully
ⓘ Self-employment tax (15.3%) applies even when FEIE eliminates income tax — this surprises many nomads
ⓘ Multi-currency income requires IRS-approved exchange rate conversions, handled automatically in our system

Relevant plans

Choose the package that best fits your situation, or view all plans.

Premier
$349
For self-employed nomads, freelancers and platform earners.
  • ✓Everything in Standard
  • ✓Schedule C & SE for self-employment
  • ✓Multiple income sources and currencies
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Most popular

Expat
$499
For Americans living abroad — FEIE, foreign tax credits and FBAR included.
  • ✓Everything in Premier
  • ✓Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555)
  • ✓Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
  • ✓FBAR filing (FinCEN 114) included
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REFERENCE/COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions about US Tax Filing for Digital Nomads

Can I claim FEIE as a digital nomad?

Probably yes, if you're a US citizen or green card holder and spend 330 full days outside the US in any 12-month period, you pass the Physical Presence Test. True nomads who are consistently abroad typically qualify. We'll verify your travel record as part of the filing.

Do I still pay self-employment tax even if I exclude income via FEIE?

Yes. FEIE reduces your income tax, but self-employment tax (15.3% on net profit) is not eliminated by FEIE. This is one of the most common surprises for nomad freelancers. Structuring through an entity like an S-Corp can reduce SE tax exposure.

I earn in USD, EUR, and GBP — how does this work?

All income must be reported in USD. We convert using IRS-approved annual average exchange rates, account for payment timing, and handle multi-currency income automatically as part of the filing process.

What if I split time between the US and abroad?

You need at least 330 full days outside the US in any 12-month period (not necessarily a calendar year) to qualify via the Physical Presence Test. Days spent in the US are excluded from the count. If you're close to the threshold, we'll model the optimal 12-month period for your situation.

Who is this for?

Browse by your situation for tailored guidance and the right package.

Digital Nomads Location-independent workers travelling between countries with complex US filing needs. See who this is for →

Related filing services

US Expat Tax Filing → View filing service FEIE Tax Filing — Form 2555 → View filing service FBAR Filing — FinCEN Form 114 → View filing service Cross-Border Digital Nomad Tax Filing → View filing service

Ready to get your Digital Nomads filing handled?

AI-assisted preparation, reviewed and e-filed by licensed professionals. Fixed price, no surprises.

Start your filing today