How a Youth Pastor in Canada got compliant with the IRS
"The hardest part is making the first call. Once someone who actually knows the process is handling the paperwork, it moves faster than you'd expect, and the relief on the other side is worth the discomfort of starting."
Matthew Hanson, Youth Pastor, dual US-Canadian citizen
For many Americans living abroad, US tax obligations sit quietly in the background – acknowledged, but never quite understood – until something forces the issue.
For Matthew Hanson, a full-time Youth Pastor and dual US-Canadian citizen, that was the case for years – until he decided it was time to catch up.
| Occupation | Youth Pastor |
| Citizenship | US-Canada |
| Years behind | 3 |
| Service used | Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure |
| Outcome | Fully compliant, no IRS penalties |
Knowing there was a problem, but not where to start
"Before I started, I didn't really understand what my US tax obligations were," Matthew recalls.
"I knew I was a dual citizen and knew I needed to do something about it, but I had no idea what forms were required or where to even begin."
That gap – knowing that you owe something to the IRS without knowing exactly what – is a familiar one for dual citizens juggling a full life. Between full-time ministry and family, it stayed unresolved for a few years, growing to a three-year gap by the time Matthew decided to act.
The logistics were the intimidating part: "Honestly, it was collecting all the paperwork and figuring out the forms. I didn't know where to start or who to go with," he says.
As Wendy Christiansen, CPA and Tax Supervisor at Taxes for Expats, explains:
"This is one of the most common situations we see with dual citizens. Knowing you have some kind of US filing obligation is very different from knowing exactly what's required and how to address it. The Streamlined Procedure exists for exactly this kind of gap – it's built for taxpayers who weren't trying to avoid their obligations, just genuinely didn't know how to meet them."
Finding Taxes for Expats through a friend
Matthew found his way to TFX the way many clients do – through someone he trusted.
"I have a friend who's also a dual citizen and uses Taxes for Expats. I asked what they used, and they pointed me here."
What sealed it was his friend's own experience:
"They said it was how they did it, that it all got done correctly, and that it was a fairly simple process – so I went for it."
Working through the paperwork: "They handle the rest"
Once Matthew began working with TFX, the process took a load off his plate.
"It's been generally very positive. I just fill out what's needed on my end, and they handle the rest, which has been a huge help," he says.
The one thing that caught him off guard was the sheer amount of documentation involved.
"The biggest thing that stood out was how much information they needed from me. It made sense once I thought about it, given everything they were handling, but it's worth knowing going in."
Fully compliant, and one less thing to worry about
For Matthew, the outcome was straightforward relief.
"I feel really thankful it's done. It was a lot of money upfront, but now it's something I never have to worry about again, aside from the yearly filing going forward. They got everything finished that I needed."
With his Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure complete, Matthew caught up on three years of US filings and moved to full compliance with the IRS – without penalties.
"If you're behind on filing and it's been weighing on you, don't let the anxiety keep you frozen. The Streamlined Procedure exists specifically for people like you: not willfully avoiding taxes, just unaware of the rules. The hardest part is making the first call. Once someone who actually knows the process is handling the paperwork, it moves faster than you'd expect, and the relief on the other side is worth the discomfort of starting."
Streamlined filing with TFX: a penalty-free path for US citizens abroad
Whether you've missed a few years of filing or have never filed a US tax return at all, the IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure offers a structured, penalty-free way to catch up.
It's designed for Americans abroad whose non-compliance was non-willful, meaning you didn't intentionally avoid filing – you simply didn't know. The program provides full penalty amnesty, regardless of income level or how long you've been behind.
At Taxes for Expats, our CPA-led streamlined filing service includes:
- Preparation and filing of 3 years of federal tax returns
- Submission of 6 years of FBARs (Foreign Bank Account Report)
- Eligibility review and analysis of your tax situation
- Secure document collection and communication with your assigned CPA
- Final compliance check before submission
- Optional preparation of a non-willful certification
Taxes for Expats has helped more than 2,200 taxpayers complete streamlined procedures – just as it did for Thorsten, Aishah, and Jonathan – to regain clarity, compliance, and peace of mind.
Our team guides you through the entire process step by step – from the initial consultation and eligibility assessment to final submission with the IRS.
