Investment decisions are difficult nowadays, but I am still getting inquiries from US persons about the US tax effects of owning foreign real property. Tax efficient structuring depends on numerous factors. While an earlier blog post discussed the general concept of what is called a "disregarded entity" and how it is used (and misused) by … Continue reading Tax Planning – Ownership of Foreign Real Property
Category: Americans Overseas
LIVE WEBINAR: EXPATRIATION – DOS, USCIS Forms and Form 8854 GIVING UP A GREEN CARD (LTR) OR US CITIZENSHIP
Join the webinar on August 23 Tuesday at 12 noon EDT. Register here Tax pro's: A new line of business awaits if you are prepared to explain the expatriation process, assist with the various Department of State forms, provide guidance to handle the State Department interview, to approach the written statement of reasons for expatriation … Continue reading LIVE WEBINAR: EXPATRIATION – DOS, USCIS Forms and Form 8854 GIVING UP A GREEN CARD (LTR) OR US CITIZENSHIP
Prince Harry (Part II) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family?
Part I of this blog post examined the US tax issues faced by the Duke of Sussex who moved with Duchess Meghan to Los Angeles in March 2020. Given the significant number of days of physical presence in America, Prince Harry has most likely already met the "substantial presence test" and is being taxed the … Continue reading Prince Harry (Part II) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family?
Prince Harry (Part I) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family?
There are good lessons in today's post for any individual who is considering attaining "US status" - be it by obtaining a green card, US citizenship or through extended physical presence in America. The lessons are explained in detail in a 2-part blog post and will be helpful to Prince Harry who may possibly take … Continue reading Prince Harry (Part I) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family?
Is the IRS Being Reasonable when it comes to “Reasonable Cause”?
My recent blog post discussed how I approach “streamlined procedure” filings for taxpayers with unreported income, for example, from offshore assets or accounts. Often, the tax noncompliance for such cases involves unfiled international information returns as well. As discussed in the blog post, I draft the required statement of non-willfulness in such a manner that … Continue reading Is the IRS Being Reasonable when it comes to “Reasonable Cause”?
IRS Slipshod Work and Document Destruction Can Mean Big Problems – Especially for Expatriates
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has been documenting some careless work being carried out by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We have the most recent TIGTA report (Number 2022-40-036) of May 4, 2022 reporting that the IRS destroyed 30 million “paper-filed information return documents” without bothering to process them beforehand. This destruction … Continue reading IRS Slipshod Work and Document Destruction Can Mean Big Problems – Especially for Expatriates
FBAR Penalty & the US Supreme Court: If the Penalty is “Per Form”, are “Per Account” Penalty Refunds Possible?
My earlier blog posts discussed the split in the circuit courts whether the FBAR $10,000 civil nonwillful penalty is to be applied on a “per account” rather than “per form” basis. The Fifth and Ninth circuit courts disagree on the statutory interpretation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) (31 U.S.C. § 5321(a)(5)(B)(i)), particularly what constitutes … Continue reading FBAR Penalty & the US Supreme Court: If the Penalty is “Per Form”, are “Per Account” Penalty Refunds Possible?
Foreign Accounts and Assets: How I Approach a “Streamlined” Tax Filing Nowadays
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Streamlined Procedures of 2014 are still available for taxpayers with tax noncompliance issues that involve unreported income from a foreign financial asset. The Procedures can help taxpayers who have not filed certain information returns associated with the foreign asset (e.g., Form 8938; Form 5471 pertaining to ownership in a foreign … Continue reading Foreign Accounts and Assets: How I Approach a “Streamlined” Tax Filing Nowadays
US Supreme Court to Decide: FBAR Penalty, $10K per Form or per Account?
The US Supreme Court just agreed to resolve the split in the circuit courts whether the FBAR $10,000 civil nonwillful penalty is to be applied on a “per account” rather than “per form” basis. By granting certiorari to Mr. Bittner, a taxpayer who petitioned the Court to review his case, we will finally have a … Continue reading US Supreme Court to Decide: FBAR Penalty, $10K per Form or per Account?
Escaping the USA, Exit Tax and Transfer Tax Regimes: Using the “Dual National” Exception
The economy is not looking good with the stock market dropping sharply, with tech companies being hit most dramatically, dropping by about 40%. Crypto markets are also in a freefall and liquidity has dried up. As a result, it may be the perfect time for individuals wishing to relinquish green cards held for a long … Continue reading Escaping the USA, Exit Tax and Transfer Tax Regimes: Using the “Dual National” Exception









