top of page

US Tax Accountant Medellin: Americans in Colombia

Writer: Sabih Shafi E.A
Sabih Shafi E.A
Aug 25
4 min read

If you are an American living in Medellin, you already know the deal: moving abroad does not cancel your US tax filing obligation. US citizens and green-card holders are taxed on worldwide income no matter where they live. The question is not whether you file -- it is whether you file correctly, with the right exclusions, the right credits, and the right foreign account reporting so you do not pay twice or trigger penalties you never saw coming.

Sabih Shafi, EA — Enrolled Agent, All State Tax Resolution

All State Tax Resolution is a US tax firm owned by Sabih Shafi, a federally licensed Enrolled Agent. Sabih lives in the Medellin area. This is a service-area business -- we work with clients across Medellin, El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, and Sabaneta by phone, video, and secure portal. We do not publish a street address because we do not maintain a walk-in office. What we offer is expertise: US federal and state tax defense for Americans in Colombia, coordinated with the Colombian side of your tax life.

What an Enrolled Agent Actually Is

An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally licensed tax practitioner recognized by the US Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters -- audits, collections, appeals, and filings. The license is not state-specific. It is the same authority whether you are in California, Florida, or El Poblado.

The EA license is earned by passing a three-part IRS examination covering individual tax, business tax, and representation. It requires continuing education and adherence to Treasury Circular 230. It is the highest credential the IRS itself grants for tax representation. If you are looking for an American tax preparer in Medellin, the EA license is the credential that matters.

Who We Serve in the Medellin Area

We work with US citizens, dual citizens, and green-card holders across the metro area:

  • El Poblado -- the neighborhood most Americans land in first, and where FBAR questions come up most often.

  • Laureles -- popular with long-term residents and digital nomads who have settled past the tourist phase.

  • Envigado and Sabaneta -- where expats who have been here a while tend to move as they put down roots, buy property, or start families.

The tax issues shift with time. New arrivals need the FEIE and the FBAR. Long-term residents with Colombian businesses, real estate, or a Colombian spouse need Form 5471, the FTC, ITIN applications, and coordinated DIAN/IRS filing. If you are several years behind, the streamlined path may be available.

For the full overview, read our pillar post: US taxes for Americans and digital nomads in Medellin.

The Sticky-State Problem: California and New York Will Not Let Go

Here is the issue most US tax preparers abroad do not understand: moving to Colombia does not automatically end your state tax obligation. California and New York in particular are aggressive about pursuing former residents who they believe never truly severed ties.

California uses a "closest connections" analysis. If you still have a California driver's license, bank account, voter registration, or property in the state, California may argue you are still a resident -- and tax your worldwide income, including what you earn in Colombia. New York applies a similar statutory residency test based on domicile and days present.

This is the sticky-state angle, and it is one of the highest-value things we handle. If you moved to Medellin from California and never formally cut ties, you could be paying California tax on your Colombian income even though you have not set foot in the state in two years. The fix is a documented change of domicile, done correctly from the start.

How We Coordinate With Your Colombian Contador

Most Americans in Colombia have a Colombian accountant -- a contador -- handling the DIAN side: the Formulario 210, the RUT, the predial, the retencion at sale. That is the right setup. We do not replace your contador.

What we do is coordinate. The US return often depends on Colombian-side figures:

  • Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116): Requires Colombian tax paid figures from your Formulario 210. No US-Colombia treaty means the FTC is the primary double-tax mechanism. Read how the FTC saves you without a treaty.

  • FEIE (Form 2555): Requires proof of foreign residency or physical presence.

  • FBAR (FinCEN Form 114): Requires maximum balances on every Colombian bank account. See what Bancolombia reports to the IRS.

  • Streamlined filing: If you are behind, the streamlined path requires non-willfulness certification. Read about the streamlined path back.

We know what to ask your contador for, and we know how to use what they send us. That coordination is the difference between a US return that is technically filed and one that actually protects you.

Impuestos para Americanos en Colombia

If you have been searching for "impuestos para americanos en colombia" -- taxes for Americans in Colombia -- you are in the right place. We are a US-side firm. We handle the IRS return, the FBAR, the state tax defense, and coordination with your Colombian tax team. For an overview of all the countries we cover, see our international tax services page.

What to Do Next

If you are in Medellin, El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, or Sabaneta and you need a US tax accountant who understands the expat side and the Colombian side, book a free review. We will look at what you have filed, what you have not, what your contador has prepared, and what the IRS is likely to see. Then we tell you exactly where you stand -- before you commit to anything.

Call or text (323) 900-0305.

This post is for general education only. Every tax situation is different. Results are never guaranteed. All State Tax Resolution is a US Enrolled Agent firm; Colombian-side tax matters should be handled by a licensed in-country professional. We do not provide immigration advice.

Talk to an Enrolled Agent

Comments

bottom of page