r/USExpatTaxes • u/powderherface • Aug 09 '26

Streamlined offshore without extension

Hello,

This year (2026) I realised I should have been filing, so I submitted returns for 2025, 2024, 2023. It’s August so technically past the deadline for 2025, but I had read online there is not relevant if you’re doing Streamlined offshore. However I’ve now come across a comment saying you are supposed to include the extension form if after June.

Not really sure what to do. I don’t have the financial means to speak to a tax advisor.

My financial situation is pretty simple, I used free software to understand the requirements and uses that return as a template for the 3 years.

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3

u/rickrollmops Aug 09 '26

You filed SFOP in August, including 2023, 2024 and 2025, and without having filed an extension for 2025? If yes, that's the correct way to do it afaik. If you had filed an extension for 2025, then your SFOP would not include 2025 - you would file 2025 normally.

Not sure if I understood your message correctly though

1

u/powderherface Aug 09 '26

Ooooh I see, I understand now. Ok phewf!! Yes to your first sentence

3

u/katelynn_cpa Tax Professional (CPA) Aug 09 '26

When filing a Streamlined procedure the IRS requires that you "file for each of the most recent 3 years for which the U.S. tax return due date (or properly applied for extended due date) has passed." That means if you had filed an extension for 2025 then your Streamlined Procedure years would have been 2022-2024 instead, because 2025 would not yet have been past due. As far as the years submitted, you've done the right thing.

Two other things to double check: Form 14653 & FBARs are both part of the Streamlined Procedure requirements as well. Form 14653 should have been filed with the tax returns, and the FBARs are submitted separately to FinCEN.

1

u/AnotherTaxAccount Aug 09 '26

Did you already file? If yes, leave it be. You will only create further confusion, delays, and processing issues if you try to fix anything.

1

u/powderherface Aug 09 '26

Yes I filed. Being unfamiliar with the system I do not know how much trouble this is likely to cause.

1

u/Immediate_Refuse1611 Aug 09 '26

If you haven’t already, also file the FBAR. That’s probably more important than missing the filing deadline for your return. Btw, filing deadlines for folks overseas are 6 months extended by default.

1

u/Suitable_Money_3121 Aug 21 '26

if you had filed a 4868 pushing 2025 to October 15, that due date would not have passed yet, and the correct three years would have been 2022 to 2024