17 years in Australia, no penalties: How Heather R. got back on track with US taxes
“One of my favorite parts of Taxes for Expats is the portal. They’ve somehow customized it for Australia – we have a different tax year here.
They’ve been really helpful with communication and filing extensions, and I think they’re quite affordable for what they do.”
– Heather R., TFX client since 2023 (American and Australian citizen)
After 17 years in Australia, Heather R., an American healthcare worker, had built a full life abroad. She worked, paid Australian taxes, became an Australian citizen, and raised her family there.
Like many expats, she assumed that meeting her local tax obligations meant she was fully compliant. It wasn’t until a casual conversation that she learned otherwise.
In her own words, Heather shares how she brought her US tax filings up to date from Australia with support from Taxes for Expats:
Key facts
| Years living abroad | 17+ years |
| Country of residence | Australia |
| Filing method | Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure |
| TFX client since | 2023 |
| Outcome | Fully compliant, refund received |
| Current status | Annual filer with Taxes for Expats |
How a birthday party conversation prompted a tax reality check
By the time Heather learned about her US tax obligations, she had already lived in Australia for a long time.
The realization came unexpectedly at a birthday party, during a conversation with another expat.
When her friend described US tax complications after starting a business in Australia, Heather paused.
“Hearing about my friend’s experience made me stop and think, ‘Is this actually true?’” – She recalled.
That moment prompted Heather to look into the rules herself. What she discovered was that US citizens are required to report their worldwide income, regardless of how long they’ve lived abroad or whether they hold another citizenship.
It wasn’t about avoiding responsibility – Heather simply hadn’t known the tax obligation existed.
“I found out in December, right in the middle of the holidays, and it felt overwhelming,” – She said.
What started as an offhand conversation quickly became a turning point – one that pushed Heather to confront years of non-compliance and figure out how to move forward.
Why Heather chose Taxes for Expats and the Streamlined Procedure
Once Heather realized she needed to catch up on her US taxes, her first reaction was caution. Trust was her biggest concern.
“You’re handing over secure information online, and it felt like you could easily be scammed, so we spent time researching, looked closely at the reviews, and chose very carefully.
What really put me at ease was my first chat with the CPA at Taxes for Expats to talk through the Streamlined Procedure,” – Heather said.
The Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure is designed specifically for expats who discover their US tax obligations late and need a structured, penalty-free way to catch up.
From a professional standpoint, the purpose of the program is straightforward.
As Wendy Christiansen, CPA, explains:
“This is an amnesty program – a way to get into compliance with the IRS without penalties. We’ve filed thousands of returns through this process, so chances are we’ve encountered your situation before.”
While the process is clearly defined, it still requires gathering documentation for several years of tax returns and FBARs (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts), including foreign bank accounts, foreign taxes paid, and related records.
“The hardest part was getting your head wrapped around the process at the beginning,” Heather shared.
Filing US taxes from Australia: navigating mismatched tax years
Living in Australia added another layer of complexity. The Australian tax year runs from July through June, while the US tax year follows the calendar year. That difference affects when income figures are finalized and when US filings can realistically be completed.
In practice, Heather often needed to finish her Australian return before finalizing her US one.
“The Taxes for Expats portal gives you clear warnings when the tax years don’t line up,” Heather noted.
“They’re very clear about applying for extensions, which is essential when you have to complete your Australian tax return before your US one.”
Heather R: “Once it’s done, you feel great”
There was an unexpected upside to the process. What Heather assumed would be purely about catching up ended with a refund.
“Once it’s done, you feel great,” she said. “And if you’re lucky like me, it might even be bonus money – hello refund!”
With the hardest part behind her, tax filing has become easier each year. Heather now works through her yearly tax returns at her own pace, knowing she can pause and return whenever she needs to:
“Your portal saves your progress, so you can do it on your own schedule.”
She also appreciates the reminders that help keep everything on track.
Today, maintaining compliance no longer feels stressful for her: “Once you’re set up, it’s much easier to keep everything going year after year.”
Streamlined filing with TFX – a penalty-free solution for American expats
If you’re an American living abroad and have discovered your US tax obligations late, the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure offers a clear, penalty-free way to get back on track – just as it did for Heather, Matthew, Melendy, and thousands of other expats.
This program is designed for American expats whose non-compliance was non-willful, meaning you didn’t intentionally avoid filing.
The streamlined procedure provides full penalty amnesty, regardless of income level or how long you’ve been behind.
Our streamlined filing service includes:
- Complete analysis of your situation and eligibility
- Preparation and filing of 3 years of US federal tax returns
- Submission of 6 years of FBARs
- Optional preparation of your non-willful certification and other required documents
With over 20 years of experience and 50,000+ clients worldwide, Taxes for Expats has helped thousands of Americans abroad – including expats in Australia – regain clarity, compliance, and peace of mind.
Our team guides you through every step, accounting for challenges like the US-Australia tax year mismatch and overseas timelines.
