Comparisons
How we compare
14 side-by-sides, each on the competitor's own published facts and re-read when they change. Pick by what you need — the software model, a preparer, the Form 8621 work, a Streamlined catch-up — and read the comparison that matches. Where the other product fits your situation better, the page says so.
By what you need
A competitor appears under every capability its own comparison page states. The line under each heading is where Atamatax sits on that axis.
Self-serve software
You prepare the return in their software and file it yourself.
Atamatax is self-serve for one tax year: $299 without PFICs, $499 with up to 25 Forms 8621. The on-screen draft is free; you pay to generate the package.
Full-service preparation
A CPA, EA or attorney prepares the return under an engagement.
- Bright!Tax
- Greenback Expat Tax Services
- Taxes for Expats
- H&R Block Expat
- Online Taxman
- 1040 Abroad
- Dimov Tax
- Golding & Golding
Atamatax prepares the Streamlined years with you after a scoped quote ($1,590–$2,990+), and its CPA Export hands the PFIC analysis to an accountant you already work with; the annual packages are self-serve, with you filing.
Expat generalists
Built for Americans abroad across the common forms — 2555, 1116, FBAR, 8938.
- Expatfile
- MyExpatTaxes
- Bright!Tax
- Greenback Expat Tax Services
- Taxes for Expats
- H&R Block Expat
- Online Taxman
- 1040 Abroad
- Dimov Tax
Atamatax covers the common expat forms — 2555, 1116, FBAR and Form 8938 thresholds — inside the same return as the PFIC work, but it is built around foreign investments rather than the simple expat return.
US-domestic software
Consumer software for US residents that accepts some expat forms by manual entry.
Atamatax is built for a return with foreign accounts or funds; a US-resident return with neither is what the products in this group are made for.
Form 8621 available
Offers Form 8621 preparation in some model — per form, as an add-on, or inside the engagement.
- Expatfile
- MyExpatTaxes
- Bright!Tax
- Greenback Expat Tax Services
- Taxes for Expats
- Online Taxman
- 1040 Abroad
- Dimov Tax
- Form 8621 Calculator (Expat Tax Tools)
Every Atamatax package with PFICs includes the Forms 8621 (up to 25) rather than pricing them per form; the §1291, QEF and mark-to-market inputs are entered per holding.
Complex foreign investment support
The PFIC computation is the core of the product rather than an add-on.
The PFIC classification, the per-holding computation and the broker import are the product's core; a standalone calculator computes one form, Atamatax prepares the return around it.
Streamlined / catch-up
A named Streamlined Foreign Offshore offering with a published price or a quoted engagement.
Atamatax's Streamlined tiers ($1,590–$2,990+) are quoted in writing after a free eligibility check and prepared with you — three return years, six FBAR years, the Forms 8621 the years need.
All comparisons
Atamatax vs TurboTax
The US-domestic default. Routes expats to TurboTax Live (CPA) — not self-serve.
Atamatax vs Expatfile
Strong UX for FEIE / FTC. PFIC handling only at their Unlimited tier.
Atamatax vs MyExpatTaxes
Cheapest entry price for simple expats. Form 8621 is a per-form add-on on every plan; Streamlining is a named package.
Atamatax vs Bright!Tax
Done-for-you CPA firm. From $170 per Form 8621 (no distributions).
Atamatax vs Greenback Expat Tax Services
Done-for-you CPAs/EAs at flat per-service fees. No self-serve, no free draft; PFIC is a paid add-on.
Atamatax vs Taxes for Expats
Human preparers — markets itself 'no robots'. Flat tiers, higher cost, slower turnaround than self-serve.
Atamatax vs H&R Block Expat
Brand trust + assisted Expat Tax Advisors. DIY product is thin on Form 8621; assisted is CPA-priced.
Atamatax vs Online Taxman
Boutique US-CPA firm for expats and businesses. Done-for-you, quote-based; no self-serve, no free draft.
Atamatax vs 1040 Abroad
Human prep with free email consults. Flat fees; strong on simple expat + streamlined, not a PFIC specialist.
Atamatax vs Dimov Tax
Full-service US CPA firm (expats + business + crypto). Done-for-you, quote-based; not a self-serve PFIC specialist.
Atamatax vs Golding & Golding
Attorney-led offshore-disclosure and FBAR representation under a quoted flat-fee engagement — not self-serve software.
Atamatax vs TaxAct
Budget US-domestic software. Accepts expat form entry (incl. 8621) but no PFIC classification, brokerage import, or FBAR workflow.
Atamatax vs FreeTaxUSA
Cheap US-domestic filing. Handles 1116/2555 minimally but no PFIC/8621, no FBAR workflow.
Atamatax vs Form 8621 Calculator (Expat Tax Tools)
Best-in-class §1291/QEF/MTM engine — but a standalone Form 8621 calculator, not a tax return. Priced per form.
Start from your situation instead
Which package would your return actually need?
A comparison says what each product does; it cannot say which forms your year needs. The free Tax Map asks a few questions and names the forms, the package and the price before you compare anything.