Bitcoin Jesus Challenges Constitutionality Of Expatriation “Exit Tax”

Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor renowned as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his evangelism of cryptocurrency since 2011, now finds himself in a legal maelstrom. Ver, a controversial figure in the blockchain world, was arrested in April 2024 in Spain on U.S. criminal charges stemming from allegations of mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax … Continue reading Bitcoin Jesus Challenges Constitutionality Of Expatriation “Exit Tax” →

Cracking The Code On FBAR Penalties: IRS Collection Hurdles Explained

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, is a crucial yet frequently misunderstood requirement for U.S. persons with foreign financial accounts. The FBAR may be familiar to many Americans living abroad, but it remains largely unknown to many U.S.-based individuals who might still have an obligation to … Continue reading Cracking The Code On FBAR Penalties: IRS Collection Hurdles Explained →

Americans Living Abroad: Foreign Housing Tax Break, Explained

Overseas Americans are entitled to certain tax breaks assuming various qualifications are met. One of the significant tax breaks is the ability to exclude from taxable income certain amounts provided by an employer for foreign housing. Housing costs are “personal” in nature and the tax laws do not provide exclusions or deductions for personal expenditures. A … Continue reading Americans Living Abroad: Foreign Housing Tax Break, Explained →

Giving Up US Citizenship – The Path Gets More Complex As DS-4079, Now 18 Pages, Is Revamped

The new procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Loss of US Nationality (CLN) effective November 1, 2024, revolves around an updated Form DS-4079. This "redesigned" form now has tailored sections for different types of expatriating acts, reflecting a more specific and perhaps a more streamlined approach to processing renunciations and relinquishments. Briefly, US citizenship can … Continue reading Giving Up US Citizenship – The Path Gets More Complex As DS-4079, Now 18 Pages, Is Revamped →

Surrender Green Card At The Border: Form I-407, U.S. Tax Expatriation

U.S. immigration law assumes that a person admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) will live there permanently. Remaining outside the United States for an extended period, may possibly result in a loss of LPR status. Long periods spent outside of America can result in problems upon re-entry at the … Continue reading Surrender Green Card At The Border: Form I-407, U.S. Tax Expatriation →

IRS Tax Records, Foreign Assets: When (And What) To Keep Or Toss

Many people face the dilemma of what to do with old tax returns and supporting paperwork, often wondering when it’s safe to discard them. However, determining the right time can be tricky, especially for taxpayers with foreign assets. Those with overseas financial interests must pay particular attention for several reasons, including expanded statutes of limitation … Continue reading IRS Tax Records, Foreign Assets: When (And What) To Keep Or Toss →

Need an FBAR Escape Hatch?

The Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCEN Form 114) commonly called the FBAR is a crucial reporting requirement for US persons (citizens, green card holders and those meeting the substantial presence test) with foreign financial accounts. With the deadline for the 2023 FBAR set for October 15, my Forbes article provides information to … Continue reading Need an FBAR Escape Hatch? →

IRS Tax Penalty Forgiveness: Challenge Of Proving “Reasonable Cause”

Tax penalties can be a harsh reality for many taxpayers, especially those dealing with complex international tax obligations. The IRS imposes penalties to encourage compliance and deter negligence. This article provides a general overview of commonly encountered tax penalties, and then delves into the often-misunderstood penalty relief, "reasonable cause.” Overview Of Tax Penalties Tax penalties … Continue reading IRS Tax Penalty Forgiveness: Challenge Of Proving “Reasonable Cause” →

American Taxpayer Abroad: U.S. Social Security, What You Need To Know

The world of work has changed dramatically. No longer confined to an office in a fixed location, people are working from many different locales and exploring varied work lifestyles. The possibilities are vast - working in foreign countries, living as a digital nomad, owning one’s own company abroad, are but a few. If you are an … Continue reading American Taxpayer Abroad: U.S. Social Security, What You Need To Know →

Americans Abroad, Tax Scams And IRS’ New Coalition To Combat Tax Fraud

Cybercrime and fraudulent activities continue to evolve and expand. Protecting taxpayers has become an increasingly complex challenge for both governmental authorities and those in the tax profession. Recognizing this, in mid-August the IRS spearheaded the formation of the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats. CASST is an outgrowth of the Security Summit, a public-private initiative … Continue reading Americans Abroad, Tax Scams And IRS’ New Coalition To Combat Tax Fraud →