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Atamatax

Self-serve federal tax-return software for U.S. expats with foreign brokerage accounts. It helps users scan holdings, prepare PFIC and treaty-related forms, and produce a signature-ready filing package with flat per-return pricing.

Atamatax

Overview

Atamatax is self-serve federal tax-return software for U.S. expats who need to report foreign brokerage accounts and the forms that often come with them. The product is positioned around the parts of expat filing that mainstream consumer tools tend to skip, especially PFIC reporting, FBAR, FATCA, foreign tax credit, and treaty disclosures.

The workflow starts with a free draft and brokerage scan. Atamatax reads supported brokerage data, flags likely PFIC holdings, and assembles a signature-ready return package so users can review the forms before paying. Pricing is flat per return, with tiers that vary by filing complexity rather than a subscription model.

What Atamatax does

Brokerage intake from multiple sources

Imports brokerage data from supported sources such as Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, Interactive Brokers, and Robinhood through Plaid read-only connections, or from a 1099 PDF or CSV.

PFIC detection and classification

Runs a PFIC scan that flags foreign-domiciled funds and helps classify each holding using SEC EDGAR and domicile heuristics before forms are generated.

Form generation for expat returns

Generates the federal forms needed for expat filings, including Form 1040, Schedules B and D, FBAR, FATCA Form 8938, Form 1116, and Form 8621 where applicable.

PFIC election and method workflow

Supports PFIC method handling with QEF, mark-to-market, and §1291 choices, and can apply a chosen method across similar holdings.

Treaty workflow for common expat countries

Guides treaty positions for France, the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia, with article-by-article handling and Form 8833 generation.

File-ready output package

Produces a signature-ready PDF package today, with integrated e-file through a partner ERO listed for Q3 2026.

Common ways people use Atamatax

  • Review foreign brokerage holdings

    A U.S. expat with Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, Interactive Brokers, or Robinhood holdings can upload or connect account data, run a PFIC scan, and see which holdings may need Form 8621 treatment.

  • Prepare a self-serve expat return

    Someone filing for the first time after living abroad can use the guided workflow to prepare the core federal forms, including 1040, FBAR, FATCA, and foreign tax credit forms.

  • Handle PFIC reporting and elections

    Taxpayers with Irish, Luxembourg, or Cayman-domiciled funds can compare PFIC methods such as QEF, mark-to-market, and §1291 while the software assembles the related paperwork.

  • Document treaty positions

    Users with treaty positions in France, the UK, Germany, Canada, or Australia can work through the article-by-article treaty flow and generate Form 8833 disclosures.

  • Carry forward prior PFIC work

    People moving from a CPA-prepared return can import prior Form 8621s so the system can match prior elections and basis instead of starting from scratch.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Covers the expat forms that are often difficult to handle in consumer tax software, including 8621, FBAR, FATCA, 1116, and 8833.
  • Lets users start with a free draft and see the scan results before paying.
  • Uses flat per-return pricing instead of a subscription.
  • Supports brokerage imports from several common U.S.-based platforms and file formats.
  • Includes treaty workflows for France, the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Cons

  • It is built for federal filing workflows and does not present itself as a full-service bookkeeping or bookkeeping-plus-entity tax platform.
  • The product currently delivers a signature-ready PDF package; integrated e-file is listed as a future release through a partner ERO.
  • Team and accountant pricing are not available yet.

FAQ

Do I pay before I see the return?

You can start a draft without paying. Atamatax says the draft is free, including the PFIC scan and treaty workflow; payment is due only when you finalize the return for filing.

What output do I get after completing the return?

The pricing page says Atamatax currently returns a signature-ready PDF package for you to sign and mail. Integrated e-file through a partner ERO is listed as shipping in Q3 2026.

Can accountants or teams use it?

Atamatax does not offer team or accountant pricing yet. The pricing page says the team is talking to CPAs about a partnership tier for preparing client returns through the product.

What kinds of returns is it built for?

The product supports self-serve federal filing for US expats and focuses on returns involving foreign brokerages, PFICs, FBAR, FATCA, Form 1116, and treaty disclosures for France, the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

What happens if I change my mind or there is a software issue?

If Atamatax delivers a PDF package with a software defect that it cannot fix within 14 days, it offers a full refund. If you decide not to continue before paying, the draft simply expires.

Quick Facts

Category
Tax preparation software
Primary users
U.S. expats with foreign brokerages
Platform
Web app
Pricing model
Flat per return; free draft first
Current output
Signature-ready PDF package
Supported treaty workflows
France, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia