+1 (469) 331-6169 filing@taxbuddy.com
Simple, upfront pricing with no hidden fees
For NRIs, H-1B holders, residents
For businesses with US tax obligations
For NRIs with complex cross-border needs
Cross-border tax compliance demands more than software defaults or generalist advice.
Filing a US tax return is straightforward — until it is not. For NRIs, H-1B professionals, and expats with income, assets, or obligations spanning two countries, the margin for error narrows considerably. The question is not whether you can file, but whether your approach accounts for the treaty elections, foreign asset disclosures, and cross-border credits that separate a compliant return from a costly one.
| SSBAFANRI Tax Specialists | DIY Tax SoftwareTurboTax, H&R Block | Traditional CPA FirmGeneral practice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Basics | |||
| NRI & Cross-Border Expertise | Specialized — every preparer handles US-India returns | Generic US flow, no NRI guidance | Varies — most see 0-2 NRI clients/year |
| Pricing | Flat-fee: $199 / $349 / $499 | Starts low, escalates to $200-350 | Hourly billing, $500-1,500+ for NRI returns |
| Multi-State Filing | Included with proper allocation | $30-50 per extra state | $75-150 per state |
| Cross-Border Compliance | |||
| FBAR & FATCA Filing | Included in NRI plan | Not supported | Add-on at $150-300/form |
| DTAA Treaty Optimization | Active analysis on every NRI return | No treaty support | Rarely applied correctly |
| Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) | Included and optimized | Supported, no strategy advice | Depends on preparer experience |
| India-Side Tax Coordination | NRE/NRO, property sales, repatriation | Not available | Almost no US CPA knows India tax |
| Support & Experience | |||
| Dedicated Tax Preparer | Assigned CPA with direct access | Software only — no human preparer | Often delegated to junior staff |
| IRS Notice & Audit Support | Year-round, included | Not included ($40-60/yr add-on) | Hourly rates ($200-400/hr) |
| Turnaround Time | 5-7 business days | Instant but hours of manual work | 2-4 weeks in peak season |
NRI & Cross-Border Expertise
Specialized — every preparer handles US-India returns
Pricing
Flat-fee: $199 / $349 / $499
Multi-State Filing
Included with proper allocation
FBAR & FATCA Filing
Included in NRI plan
DTAA Treaty Optimization
Active analysis on every NRI return
Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
Included and optimized
India-Side Tax Coordination
NRE/NRO, property sales, repatriation
Dedicated Tax Preparer
Assigned CPA with direct access
IRS Notice & Audit Support
Year-round, included
Turnaround Time
5-7 business days
NRI & Cross-Border Expertise
Generic US flow, no NRI guidance
Pricing
Starts low, escalates to $200-350
Multi-State Filing
$30-50 per extra state
FBAR & FATCA Filing
Not supported
DTAA Treaty Optimization
No treaty support
Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
Supported, no strategy advice
India-Side Tax Coordination
Not available
Dedicated Tax Preparer
Software only — no human preparer
IRS Notice & Audit Support
Not included ($40-60/yr add-on)
Turnaround Time
Instant but hours of manual work
NRI & Cross-Border Expertise
Varies — most see 0-2 NRI clients/year
Pricing
Hourly billing, $500-1,500+ for NRI returns
Multi-State Filing
$75-150 per state
FBAR & FATCA Filing
Add-on at $150-300/form
DTAA Treaty Optimization
Rarely applied correctly
Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116)
Depends on preparer experience
India-Side Tax Coordination
Almost no US CPA knows India tax
Dedicated Tax Preparer
Often delegated to junior staff
IRS Notice & Audit Support
Hourly rates ($200-400/hr)
Turnaround Time
2-4 weeks in peak season
Not sure which approach fits your situation? Walk us through the basics — no obligation, no pressure.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our tax experts.
