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

Schedule C Filing for Expats and Digital Nomads

Schedule C is the IRS form for reporting self-employment income and business expenses. For US expats and digital nomads running their own business or freelancing, Schedule C is the foundation of the return — feeding into FEIE calculations, self-employment tax, and FBAR obligations. Getting Schedule C right (maximising deductions, correctly categorising income) directly reduces your overall tax burden.

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APPLICABILITY/WHO THIS IS FOR

Who this is for

✓ Self-employed US expats and digital nomads filing Schedule C
✓ Freelancers with sole proprietorships or single-member LLCs abroad
✓ US expat business owners without a formal entity structure
✓ Those with contractor, consulting, or creative income reported on 1099s or foreign invoices
✓ Anyone whose foreign-earned self-employment income qualifies for FEIE
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.

Schedule C — Profit or Loss from Business (sole proprietorship)
Schedule SE — Self-Employment Tax (15.3% on net Schedule C profit, not eliminated by FEIE)
Form 2555 — FEIE election on qualifying foreign-earned Schedule C income
FinCEN Form 114 — FBAR) — for business and personal foreign accounts
Form 4562 — Depreciation of business equipment or assets
DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION REQUIRED

Documents usually needed

■ Complete income records — all invoices, payments received by date and currency
■ Business expense receipts or records by category
■ Business bank account statements
■ Records of any home office use, vehicle use for business, or travel for business
■ Prior year Schedule C
PROCESS/RETURN ASSEMBLY

How Nomadic.Tax works

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

1
INFORMATION
We prepare Schedule C with all qualifying deductions — office expenses, software, equipment, travel, professional services
2
DOCUMENTS
Net profit flows into FEIE calculation to determine excludable income
3
AI PREPARATION
SE tax is calculated on net profit after deducting half the SE tax
4
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW / E-FILE
A licensed CPA reviews every deduction for compliance before filing
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW/CPA / ACCOUNTANT SIGN-OFF

When human review matters

ⓘ FEIE applies only to earned income — it does not exclude passive income like dividends, rental income, or capital gains
ⓘ SE tax of 15.3% applies even when FEIE eliminates all income tax on the same earnings
ⓘ Home office deduction requires the space to be used regularly and exclusively for business

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 Schedule C Filing for Expats and Digital Nomads

Can I deduct my coworking membership on Schedule C?

Yes, coworking space rental is a direct business expense deductible on Schedule C if you use it for business. This applies whether you're in the US or abroad.

Do I need to have a formal LLC to file Schedule C?

No. Schedule C is for sole proprietors, which includes anyone running a business without a formal entity. A single-member LLC is also typically reported on Schedule C (as a disregarded entity). Multi-member LLCs file a separate Form 1065.

What is the home office deduction for expats?

If you use a dedicated area of your home exclusively and regularly for business, you may be able to deduct a portion of rent, utilities, and internet costs. The space must be your principal place of business. This applies whether your home is in the US or abroad.

Who is this for?

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

Digital Nomads Freelancers and self-employed nomads reporting business income on Schedule C. See who this is for → Remote Workers Independent remote workers with self-employment income needing Schedule C. See who this is for →

Related filing services

US Filing for Freelancers and Consultants Abroad → View filing service US Tax Filing for Digital Nomads → View filing service FEIE Tax Filing — Form 2555 → View filing service See All Pricing & Plans → View pricing & packages

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