Form 8621 · Software
Form 8621 software: the self-serve way to file PFICs
Your options for producing Form 8621 — hand-built worksheets, a CPA at $150–$300 per form, or self-serve software — and how they compare.
Mainstream tax software (TurboTax) doesn't produce Form 8621, so U.S. persons with foreign funds are left with three real options.
The three options
- Hand-build the §1291 worksheet — accurate, but painful and error-prone.
- A human firm — expat CPAs/EAs typically charge $150–$300 per Form 8621, so multi-fund investors pay per form and wait weeks.
- Self-serve software — detect your PFICs and produce the forms yourself, for a flat fee.
How the software options differ
The dedicated PFIC calculators are built mainly for professional preparers — a subscription plus a per-form fee, no 'do I even have a PFIC?' diagnostic, and no Switzerland-specific context. Atamatax answers do I have a PFIC? first, then drafts the 8621 in the context of your whole expat return, at a flat price with up to 25 forms included.
| TurboTax | Preparer PFIC tools | CPA/EA firm | Atamatax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Produces Form 8621 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Diagnostic — do I have a PFIC? | No | No | Manual | Yes |
| Switzerland context | No | No | Sometimes | Yes |
| Pricing | n/a | Subscription + per form | $150–$300 per form | Flat, up to 25 forms |
Draft your Form 8621, self-serve
Build the §1291 worksheet, or check your holdings first. Atamatax is tax-preparation software, not a CPA firm, and this is not individualised tax advice.
Atamatax provides tax preparation support and educational resources. This website does not constitute legal or tax advice.