Mel Whitney

Expertise:

Non-resident taxation
Real estate taxation
Tax optimization

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Humboldt State University

Mel Whitney, a valued Enrolled Agent (EA) with TFX, combines extensive tax expertise with a rich educational and personal background. His journey into the tax advisory field is underpinned by a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Humboldt State University, a choice that laid the foundation for his distinguished career.

Mel's academic path was marked by a keen interest in tax law and financial strategy, which led him to pursue and achieve the prestigious EA designation, the highest credential awarded by the IRS.

In his role at TFX, Mel is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of the US tax code, specializing in services for expatriates. His 15 years of experience in the field is marked by a deep commitment to providing comprehensive, client-focused tax solutions that ensure clients achieve both compliance and optimization in their tax affairs.

Outside of work, Mel restores vintage BMW motorcycles and Volkswagens, and enjoys hiking and skiing near his home in the Cascades.

Mel is also deeply committed to lifelong learning, often attending seminars and workshops to stay ahead of the latest tax regulations and strategies.

His educational background, combined with his professional expertise and personal pursuits, make Mel Whitney a well-rounded individual and a valuable asset to the TFX team. His dedication to his clients, passion for his hobbies, and constant pursuit of knowledge define his approach to life and work.

Articles

IRS Form 14653: A complete guide for US expats and offshore filers

What is Form 14653? Form 14653 is the IRS certification form use...

What is an ITIN, and why do you need one?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is a 9-digit IRS Taxpayer ID for people who need to file or be listed on a US federal tax return but cannot get an SSN. For 2025 returns filed in 2026, ITIN issues often come up for nonresident spouses, foreign depend...

Foreign Tax Credit carryover and carryback guide for expats

The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) carryover lets a US taxpayer move qualified foreign income taxes that exceed the Form 1116 limitation back 1 year and forward as many as 10 years. For 2025 returns filed in 2026, balances must be tracked by income category, and section 951A-category taxes cannot be carried over. An unused FTC arises when you...

What is Form 1099-DIV? Meaning, boxes, and tax reporting

Form 1099-DIV is the information return your broker, mutual fund, or other payer sends you each year to report dividends and certain distributions of $10 or more. You don't file the form itself with the IRS – your broker already did that. You use the numbers on it to fill in your Form 1040 and Schedule B. This guide walks thro...

9 US states with no income tax: full list & expat guide

Nine US states do not tax individual wage income: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. For US citizens and green card holders moving abroad, choosing one of these states with no income tax as your domicile before departure can stop your old state from continuing to tax your foreign incom...

IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP): a comprehensive guide for expats

The Internal Revenue Service introduced the ...