U.S. tax filing and planning for lives in Chile
One life.
Two tax
systems.
U.S. citizens and green card holders living in Chile, and Chileans with ties to the United States, answer to the IRS and the SII at the same time. We prepare the U.S. side, and keep it consistent with what you file in Chile.
The tax year, from both sides
○ Form 29 is filed every month in Chile
January
Quiet in Chile. Gather year-end statements from both countries.
USQ4 estimated tax payment (Jan 15).
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
February
Summer in Chile. Good time to collect documents before March.
USForms 1099 and W-2 arrive.
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
March
Chilean information returns feed the figures for April.
CLDeclaraciones Juradas: companies and banks report to the SII.Form 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
April
The one month both systems ask at once. Your figures need to agree.
USForm 1040 and FBAR nominal due date (Apr 15).
CLOperación Renta: Form 22 annual return (April).Form 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
May
Chilean tax paid is now known, which matters for the U.S. foreign tax credit.
CLSII issues refunds from Operación Renta.Form 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
June
Most U.S. taxpayers living in Chile file around here, or extend to Oct 15 with Form 4868.
USAutomatic 2-month extension for taxpayers abroad (Jun 15). Interest runs from Apr 15.
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
July
Mid-year. A good point to check estimated payments.
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
August
No major annual deadlines in either country.
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
September
Last estimate before the extended deadline.
USQ3 estimated tax payment (Sep 15).
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
October
Taxpayers abroad may ask for two more months by letter to the IRS before Oct 15.
USExtended Form 1040 and FBAR deadline (Oct 15). Last day to request the Dec 15 extension.
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
November
Planning window before the Chilean and U.S. year ends.
CLForm 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
December
The latest U.S. date for a return on extension. Both tax years close Dec 31.
USAdditional extension for taxpayers abroad, if granted (Dec 15).
CLYear-end planning.Form 29 monthly declaration (IVA, withholdings, PPM).
Select a month. General dates only; your own deadlines depend on your situation.
For individuals and families with a life in both countries.
U.S. citizens living in Chile
U.S. citizens and green card holders still file with the IRS every year, wherever they live. Chilean residency adds a second return.
Chileans with U.S. ties
U.S. rental property, a brokerage account, a past green card or U.S.-source income can each create U.S. obligations, including estate tax.
People moving between the two
The year you arrive in Chile or return to the U.S. changes your residency, your filings and sometimes your deadlines.
What we prepare and resolve.
U.S. federal, state and estate tax. Pick a subject to see the filings involved.
U.S. returns for residents of Chile
Chile taxes income at rates that often make the foreign tax credit the better choice than the income exclusion. We run both and file the one that fits.
- Form 1040
- Individual federal return
- Form 1116
- Foreign tax credit for Chilean tax paid
- Form 2555
- Foreign earned income exclusion, where it helps
State tax returns
Moving to Chile does not always end your state tax obligations. States such as California, New York and Virginia can keep treating you as a resident until your ties are clearly cut.
- State returns
- Resident, part-year and nonresident returns
- Domicile
- Documenting a clean break from your former state
Foreign account reporting
Chilean bank accounts, AFP balances and APV savings can all trigger U.S. reporting, even when no tax is owed.
- FinCEN 114
- FBAR, foreign bank and financial accounts
- Form 8938
- FATCA statement of specified foreign assets
Savings, funds and property in Chile
Chilean fondos mutuos, APV savings and a home or apartment in Chile are each treated in their own way by U.S. rules. Some funds count as PFICs, and selling property is a U.S. tax event too.
- Form 8621
- PFIC reporting for Chilean mutual funds
- Schedule E
- Rental income from property in Chile
- Form 8949
- Sale of a home or property in Chile
U.S. property while living in Chile
Keeping a house or rental in the U.S. after moving to Chile means U.S. returns continue, whether you are a U.S. citizen or not. Nonresidents face withholding on rents and on a sale, and U.S. estate tax applies above $60,000 of U.S. assets.
- Schedule E
- Rental income and expenses, depreciation
- Form 1040-NR
- U.S. return for nonresidents with U.S. property
- FIRPTA
- Withholding when a nonresident sells U.S. real estate
- State returns
- The state where the property sits may tax it too
Catching up on missed years
If you have lived abroad without filing, there are structured ways to get current with reduced or no penalties when the lapse was not willful.
- Streamlined
- Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures
- Prior years
- Back returns and amended returns
Estate and gift tax across borders
A Chilean who is not a U.S. resident can owe U.S. estate tax once U.S. property passes $60,000. U.S. citizens get a $15 million exemption in 2026, but it applies to worldwide assets, including what they own in Chile. The tax treaty between the two countries covers income tax only, not estates.
- Form 706-NA
- Estates of nonresidents with U.S. property
- Form 706
- Estates of U.S. citizens and residents
- Form 709
- U.S. gift tax return
- Form 3520
- Reporting large gifts or inheritances from abroad
IRS notices and representation
Letters from the IRS are easier to resolve with a representative who can speak to them on your behalf.
- Form 2848
- Power of attorney for representation
- Notices
- Responses, payment plans, penalty relief requests
A clear line
down the middle.
Cross-border mistakes usually happen in the gap between two advisors. We set out clearly what each professional prepares, and coordinate with your Chilean advisor so both returns tell the same story.
United States
Prepared by an IRS Enrolled Agent
- U.S. federal returns and elections
- State tax returns
- Estate and gift tax returns
- FBAR and FATCA reporting
- Foreign fund and property reporting
- IRS correspondence and representation
Coordinated
Where the two meet
- Income figures that match on both returns
- Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) for Chilean tax paid
- Chile's three-year rule: new residents taxed only on Chilean income
- Tax treaty and the U.S. and Chile social security agreement
- One point of contact coordinating both sides
Chilean
Prepared by a Chilean contador or tax attorney
- Form 22 and Operación Renta
- Monthly Form 29 (IVA, withholdings, PPM)
- SII registration and filings
- Contribuciones and Chilean property matters
- Chilean inheritance tax and wills
Tax Professional Network
The right specialist for each side.
When your situation reaches beyond U.S. tax, we bring in independent professionals in both countries and keep everyone working from the same figures.
Network professionals are independent. You engage them directly, and each is responsible for their own advice.
IRS Enrolled AgentUnited States
U.S. federal, state and estate returns, and representation before the IRS.
ContadorChile
Form 22, monthly Form 29 and your SII filings, prepared alongside your U.S. return.
Abogado tributarioChile
Chilean tax positions, residency questions and inheritance tax.
Estate attorneyUnited States
Wills, trusts and U.S. property held by nonresidents.
Cross-border financial plannerBoth countries
Investments that work under both tax systems, without PFIC surprises.
About the credential
What is an Enrolled Agent?
An Enrolled Agent is a tax professional licensed directly by the IRS, the U.S. tax authority. It is the highest credential the IRS awards. CPAs and attorneys are licensed by individual states; Enrolled Agents are licensed federally by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and work only in tax.
Licensed by the IRS
Authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to practice before the IRS.
Tested on the full tax code
A three-part IRS exam covering individuals, businesses and representation, plus a background check.
Unlimited representation rights
Can represent any taxpayer before any IRS office, on audits, collections and appeals.
Ongoing education
72 hours of continuing education every three years, including ethics.
How a year works.
Early January
Your document checklist arrives
A personalized checklist through your secure client portal, covering what we need from both countries.
January to March
Documents and early review
Upload as your statements arrive. We review early and flag anything missing well before April.
April
Aligned with Chile
Your Chilean contador files Form 22. We confirm the figures match before your U.S. return is finalized.
By June 15
Everything filed
Federal, state and FBAR, all filed by the June 15 deadline for taxpayers abroad. Next year's estimated payments are scheduled for you.
October to December
Planning for next year
A look ahead at changes in income, residency or property, so the next return holds no surprises.
Plain-language guides.
Short, sourced explainers on the questions we hear most. In English and Spanish.
All tax guides →Not sure what you need to file?
A few quick questions show which U.S. filings likely apply to you. Then talk it through with an Enrolled Agent.
- No documents, no account, just a conversation
- A call with an IRS Enrolled Agent
- In English or Spanish
Free U.S. filing check
Find out what the IRS expects from you, in two minutes.
- Answer a few simple questions
- See the U.S. filings that likely apply
- Book a free call to talk it through
No sign-up. Nothing to upload. Your answers stay in your browser until you send the booking form.
Your result
Indicative only, based on your answers. Your actual obligations are confirmed in a proper review.
Book your free introductory call
30 minutes with an Enrolled Agent to go through your result. No documents, no obligation.
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