Most people reach out to us when they realize their situation is more complex than expected, and too risky to get wrong.
The Edge You Need in International Tax
We don’t just handle your tax filings. We help you understand the tax consequences of your global footprint so you can build a strategy to protect your wealth and peace of mind, no matter where you live or work.
Navigating U.S. international tax laws is complex and ever-changing. Whether you're a tax professional seeking guidance, a business owner expanding globally, an organization sending its employees on foreign assignments, a foreign national relocating to the U.S., a U.S. citizen moving outside of the U.S., or an expatriate trying to stay compliant, Your Expat Tax CPA is here to provide expert solutions tailored to your unique needs.
With over 20 years of experience in international tax, we simplify the complexities of U.S. tax compliance so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business, living the life you dreamed of by relocating overseas, securing your financial future, etc.
About Us
At Your Expat Tax CPA, we specialize in bridging the gap between tax law and compliance for CPAs, tax professionals, business owners, organizations, and individuals navigating cross-border tax challenges.
Managed by Laura M. Tshilumba CPA, a former agent with the IRS Large Business and International Division, seasoned international tax advisor, speaker, and CPE instructor, our firm provides comprehensive tax solutions, consulting, and education to ensure accuracy, compliance, and peace of mind.
We understand that international tax isn't just about numbers and behind every number there is a story, a journey. We understand international tax is also about strategy, planning, compliance, and protecting your financial well-being (and peace of mind). Our mission is to equip tax professionals, organizations, and individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to understand the tax consequences of their global footprints and to be globally tax efficient.
Who We Serve
We help clients navigate the intersection of U.S. tax law, international investments, business ownership, and life across borders. We also partner with legal, tax, immigration, financial, and wealth professionals on cross-border matters requiring specialized expertise.
đź”· Tax Professionals | CPAs & EAs: Your clients' international tax issues don't have to become your firm's specialty. We provide technical support, specialized foreign information return preparation, PFIC analysis and Form 8621 reporting, offshore tax remediation, and professional training.
đź”· Tax Attorneys who need to collaborate on complex international tax matters, IRS offshore compliance and remediation, foreign asset disclosures, and technical tax analysis. We also provide specialized accounting and tax support under attorney-directed Kovel arrangements, when appropriate.
đź”· Immigration Attorneys: A successful immigration strategy should not create an unexpected U.S. tax problem. We help your clients navigate the intersection of immigration and taxation, including pre-immigration planning, foreign assets and businesses, U.S. tax residency, and potential expatriation consequences.
đź”· Global Mobility, HR & Relocation Professionals: You manage the move. We help address the U.S. tax consequences. From inbound executives to outbound assignments, we provide specialized tax planning, employee compliance support, and guidance on complex cross-border compensation and reporting obligations.
đź”· Business Owners and International Entrepreneurs: Expanding overseas or establishing a U.S. presence? We help you evaluate cross-border business structures, foreign entity reporting, international tax exposure, and the tax consequences of operating across jurisdictions.
đź”· Foreign Nationals Moving to the U.S.: Your U.S. tax story can begin before you arrive. We provide pre-immigration tax planning, foreign asset and entity assessments, tax residency guidance, and U.S. tax compliance support to help you enter the U.S. tax system with greater confidence.
đź”· Digital Nomads & Remote Workers Abroad: Working remotely from another country doesn't eliminate your U.S. tax obligations. We help U.S. citizens and residents navigate foreign income reporting, tax residency, foreign tax credits, and cross-border compliance while living and working internationally.
đź”· Accidental Americans & Dual Citizens: Discovering that you're subject to U.S. taxation can raise unexpected questions about foreign accounts, investments, and past filings. We help assess U.S. tax obligations, identify reporting gaps, and evaluate available compliance options.
đź”· Cross-Border Wealth Advisors & Financial Professionals: An investment that makes financial sense abroad may create unexpected U.S. tax consequences. We provide PFIC due diligence, foreign investment tax assessments, and guidance on the U.S. tax implications of foreign funds, pensions, and cross-border investment structures.
đź”· U.S. Citizens & Residents Working for the United Nations & International Organizations: Working for the UN, World Bank, IMF, or another international organization creates specialized U.S. tax considerations. We help eligible professionals navigate compensation, tax residency, treaty provisions, and U.S. filing obligations.
đź”· U.S. Expats who need assistance with U.S. tax compliance, IRS offshore voluntary disclosure programs for their delinquent foreign disclosures, comprehensive review of their U.S. tax returns prepared by another tax professional to ensure their global tax liability is legally minimized, etc.
đź”·Real Estate Professionals and Closing Attorneys: We support transactions involving foreign sellers of U.S. real estate, including FIRPTA withholding, compliance, and related U.S. tax considerations.
Learn about our services
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Cross-border tax decisions deserve more than a tax return. We help U.S. taxpayers, globally mobile families, and international businesses navigate complex tax obligations with clarity and confidence. Our services include:
✔ U.S. Expat Tax Planning & Compliance – Foreign income, foreign tax credits, exclusions, and international reporting obligations.
✔ Cross-Border Business Tax Advisory – Foreign entity structuring, ownership reporting, and international tax planning.
✔ Global Mobility & Expatriation Tax– Tax considerations for international assignments, relocations, and U.S. expatriation.
✔ Foreign Assets & International Reporting – Forms 5471, 5472, 8621, 8858, 8865, 8938, FBAR, and other specialized disclosures.
✔ Foreign Pensions & Tax Treaties – Cross-border retirement arrangements and treaty considerations.
✔ FIRPTA Withholding & Compliance – U.S. real estate transactions involving foreign sellers.
Our goal: Help you understand your global tax position, anticipate risks, and make informed decisions before they become costly problems.
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Foreign mutual funds, ETFs, and certain international investments can trigger complex U.S. tax rules under the Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) regime, even when those investments are tax-efficient overseas.
We help U.S. investors, expatriates, tax professionals, and wealth advisors navigate PFIC taxation, reporting, and investment-related tax exposure.
Our PFIC services include:
✔ PFIC Due Diligence & Pre-Investment Assessments – Evaluate potential U.S. tax consequences before investing in foreign funds, including Golden Visa and residency-by-investment funds.
✔ PFIC Identification & Analysis – Assess foreign mutual funds, ETFs, and other investments for PFIC classification and reporting requirements.
✔ PFIC Tax Elections & Planning – Evaluate available elections, including QEF and mark-to-market elections, and their tax implications.
✔ Form 8621 Preparation & Compliance – Specialized reporting for current and prior-year foreign investments.
✔ Delinquent PFIC Reporting & Remediation – Assess previously unreported investments and available corrective filing options.
✔ Specialized Support for CPAs & Advisors – Technical analysis, PFIC reporting, and investment tax due diligence for clients with complex foreign portfolios.
Before you invest, or discover an unexpected reporting obligation, understand what your foreign investments mean for your U.S. taxes.
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Moving to the United States changes more than your address. It can fundamentally change how your worldwide income, investments, businesses, and assets are taxed.
We help foreign nationals, inbound executives, entrepreneurs, and immigration attorneys understand the intersection of U.S. immigration and tax law before and after relocation.
Our services include:
✔ Pre-Immigration Tax Planning – Evaluate worldwide assets, income, and ownership structures before U.S. tax residency begins.
✔ U.S. Tax Residency & Treaty Analysis – Understand residency rules, applicable tax treaties, and U.S. filing obligations.
✔ Foreign Investment & Business Assessments – Identify potential PFIC, foreign corporation, trust, and international reporting exposure.
✔ Inbound Executive & Entrepreneur Planning – Address cross-border compensation, business ownership, and relocation-related tax considerations.
✔ Immigration Attorney Collaboration – Coordinate tax planning with immigration strategies, including permanent residency and potential expatriation considerations.
The best time to understand your U.S. tax exposure is before your move, NOT after.
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When the IRS raises questions about foreign income, investments, or offshore reporting, experience matters. Our founder, Laura Tshilumba, CPA, is a former IRS Large Business & International (LB&I) agent and former international tax practice leader in public accounting.
Having worked on both sides of the table, she brings a distinctive understanding of international tax compliance, IRS examination procedures, and how complex cross-border issues are evaluated.
Our services include:
✔ IRS International Tax Audits & Examinations – Representation involving foreign income, assets, entities, and international reporting.
✔ Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures – Assessment and preparation of eligible domestic and foreign offshore submissions.
✔ Delinquent International Information Returns – Remediation involving Forms 5471, 8621, 8865, 8938, FBAR, and other foreign disclosures.
✔ Offshore Compliance & Voluntary Disclosure– Evaluation of available IRS compliance and disclosure pathways.
✔ DOJ & Criminal Tax Matters – We collaborate with experienced criminal tax attorneys on matters involving potential tax fraud, willful offshore noncompliance, and Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, providing specialized international tax analysis and accounting support under appropriately structured Kovel agreements.
When your international tax situation requires more than routine compliance, you want someone who understands both the tax law and the IRS process.
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Our continuing education courses (CPE) are designed to help tax professionals bridge the gap between U.S. international tax laws and real-world compliance.
✔Customized Training for CPA firms and solo tax entrepreneurs. Tax forms include but are not limited to 1042, 2555, 5471, 8832, 8854, 8858, 8865, etc.
✔IRS Audit Insights & Practical Case Studies to enhance understanding.
✔Live & On-Demand CPE Courses covering expatriation tax, FIRPTA, offshore disclosures, global mobility, U.S. taxation of non-U.S. residents, and more.
Are you a CPA, EA, or tax attorney struggling with complex international tax topics? Become the go-to international tax expert for your clients!
Join our Mailing List to Be the First to Know about our upcoming CPE webinars
What they say after attending my CPE courses:
Speaking Engagements & Media Requests
Speaking Engagements & Media Requests
Laura M. Tshilumba, CPA is an experienced speaker on international tax and financial wellness. She has presented at various professional organizations, providing practical insights for tax professionals, business owners, and global citizens.
She is available for:
âś” Conferences & Panel Discussions (CPA events, financial summits, expat events, global mobility forums)
âś” Podcasts & Webinars (For tax professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial experts)
âś” Corporate & Private Trainings (Tailored sessions on various U.S. international tax topics for CPA firms and organizations)
Looking for an engaging expert speaker for your next event? Click below to inquire!
Our Managing Partner
Laura M. Tshilumba, CPA, is an international tax expert and CPE instructor with over 20 years of experience in public accounting and industry.
Laura's multifaceted experience spans across various industries, giving her a profound understanding of the unique tax challenges faced by businesses and individuals. Whether working with multinational organizations, expatriates, solo entrepreneurs, or high-net-worth individuals, Laura possesses the versatility and insight needed to navigate with ease the intricate web of U.S. international tax regulations.
One of Laura's core strengths lies in her ability to advise her clients on global mobility and expatriate tax issues. Her keen insights into these areas enable her to assist individuals and businesses in managing their international workforce effectively. She provides strategic solutions that align with the ever-changing tax laws and regulations, allowing clients to optimize their global tax positions while ensuring compliance.
Her expertise includes global mobility, expatriation tax, tax equalization, tax clauses in global assignment contracts, UN employee taxation, mergers & acquisitions, cross-border compliance, FIRPTA, delinquent foreign disclosures, and IRS controversy resolution. Laura is also an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) and works closely with immigration attorneys and real estate professionals to navigate U.S. tax compliance for foreign nationals.
Laura is fluent in French. As a multilingual cross-cultural practitioner, and first-generation emigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa, Laura brings a breadth of cultural intelligence into interpersonal relationships to break down complex international tax laws in a way that her clients can understand and apply them.
Laura is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of CPAs, the National Society of Black Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Black Accountants.
Laura's passion for her field extends beyond her consulting work and has led her to become a CPE instructor. An educator at heart, Laura specializes in helping tax professionals bridge the gap between complex U.S. international tax laws and practical tax compliance, ensuring accurate filings for their clients. Laura is a sought-after CPE instructor who has delivered courses on international taxation, tax controversy, and cross-border tax planning through various platforms. She is recognized for her ability to simplify complex tax concepts with real-world case studies, and IRS audit insights. She uniquely combines technical tax expertise with a human-centered approach, making her courses highly engaging and impactful
Beyond tax education and consulting, Laura is a certified health mindset coach and certified integrative health nutrition coach. She guides her clients who are executives, high-achieving women and women entrepreneurs through stress management, self-care, and financial wellness.
Contact us.
đź“ŤLocation: Virtual Office
Atlanta, Georgia 30350
đź“žPhone: 470-485-3062
💡Let’s connect today!
To provide thoughtful, personalized guidance, we do not offer complimentary tax consultations. If you would like to discuss your U.S. international tax situation, please schedule a consultation using the link below.
Schedule A Consultation Call With US
For media inquiries, speaking opportunities, referral partnerships, or general administrative questions, please complete the contact form and our team will respond within 48 business hours.
Book a Consultation
At Your Expat Tax CPA, we value your time and ours. Due to the high volume of inquiries we receive and the depth of expertise we bring to each conversation, we do not offer complimentary intake consultations. Our initial consultation is designed to be a high-value, strategic session where we assess your tax situation and provide preliminary guidance tailored to your needs.
If you are ready to take the next step toward strategic tax planning and compliance, click below to book your consultation call.
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đź”· Fee: $350 (flat rate)
đź”· Duration: Up to 30 minutes
đź”· Format: Virtual callThis consultation is for serious inquiries only, ensuring that both you and our firm are making the best use of our time and expertise. We bring our best resources to every call, and we ask that you do the same by coming prepared with relevant information and questions.
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đź”· A preliminary assessment of your factual situation.
đź”· General tax insights and guidance on potential solutions.
đź”· A discussion of your goals and next steps for compliance or tax strategy.
đź”· Clarity on how we can best support your needs. -
Should we mutually agree to proceed with an engagement, and you retain our services within 30 days of your initially scheduled consultation, we will consider applying the consultation fee toward your first engagement with our firm.
The Cross-Border Tax Newsletter
Cross-border tax has an irritating habit of becoming important AFTER you’ve already moved countries, bought the property, opened the account, invested in the fund, started the company, or discovered that the perfectly normal financial decision you made overseas is apparently VERY interesting to the IRS. And no, moving to the U.S. doesn’t save you either. Sometimes America welcomes you with open arms…and a reporting obligation nobody mentioned at immigration.
That’s why you want to be on this list BEFORE one of my stories becomes your story. I’m a former IRS Large Business & International agent, so trust me: I’ve seen some things. Now I tell the cross-border tax stories that make people stop mid-scroll and say, “WAIT. I did that.” Smart tax intel. Real situations. No fear-mongering. Minimal tax jargon. Because some lessons are significantly cheaper when you learn them from somebody else’s story.
What Shows Up In Your Inbox:
🔷 Before-you-move tax conversation – Because some problems are dramatically cheaper to prevent before you pack the good luggage.
🔷 “Wait…I had to report THAT?” stories – Foreign accounts, pensions, investments. companies, trusts. inheritances and other perfectly normal things that become considerably less normal once U.S. tax law enters the chat.
🔷 Expensive little surprises – The decisions that looked completely reasonable overseas…and created a very different result in the United States
🔷 The “how did nobody catch this?” files – What happens when immigration, investments, payroll, business, estate planning and U.S. tax all collide at the border.
🔷 International tax without the tax coma – Enough context to help you recognize when something deserves a closer look, without pretending a newsletter can replace advice for your specific situation.
Send Me the Tax Stories
Cross-border tax stories for people building lives, businesses, and wealth between countries.
Your Inbox Is Already Full. So Why Subscribe to This One? Because the right cross-border tax story, read at the right time, can change what you do before it becomes expensive.
✔The peace of sleeping at night because the IRS won’t – Knowing your filings are actually handled, not just “my accountant filed something, so I assumed we’re good.”
✔The luxury of finding out BEFORE you do the thing – Before you move, invest, sell, restructure, open the company, or transfer the money. Revolutionary concept, apparently.
✔Knowing which “perfectly normal” foreign investments the U.S. may absolutely hate – Because “my financial advisor recommended it” and “the IRS likes it” are two completely different sentences.
✔Keeping more of your money out of the “well, nobody told me” budget – Penalties, professional fees, amended returns and cleanup work are an expensive way to learn international tax.
✔Walking into major financial decisions knowing what questions to ask – You don’t need to become a tax expert. You need to recognize when somebody needs to call one.
✔Having your U.S. and foreign financial lives actually talk to each other – Two accountants filing two perfectly lovely tax returns does not automatically equal one coordinated cross-border strategy.
✔Moving countries without discovering six months later that your tax life did something completely different – Immigration may stamp the passport. Tax law has its own itinerary.
✔Building wealth globally without accidentally building a compliance project – Foreign companies, pensions, funds, property and accounts can come with U.S. consequences nobody put in the brochure.
✔Recognizing the red flag while it’s still a red flag, not a $30,000 problem – Sometimes one story is all it takes to realize, “Wait…we need to look at this.”
✔Being the person who says, “Thank GOD I read Laura’s email about this.” – Because the best cross-border tax problem is the one you recognize before it becomes your story.
You’re going to get emails anyway. Get the ones that might save you from an expensive mistake.