OOOOPS! I Received a Gift from a Foreign Corporation (or Foreign Partnership)

Here in the Middle East where I have been practicing for almost two decades, I have seen that it is very common for families to create offshore structures in various countries (outside the USA) to hold a large portion of the family wealth.  The underlying reasons for maintaining these structures outside of the family’s home … Continue reading OOOOPS! I Received a Gift from a Foreign Corporation (or Foreign Partnership)

FALSE! Failure to File Form 8854 Means Continued Liability for US Tax on Worldwide Income

For today's post, let me start with the Conclusion! If you expatriate after June 16, 2008 and you fail to file Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8854 (Initial and Annual Expatriation Statement), you DO NOT have continued US income tax liability on your worldwide income.  It's that simple. You may have read or heard otherwise … Continue reading FALSE! Failure to File Form 8854 Means Continued Liability for US Tax on Worldwide Income

US Tax Filings by Fiduciary of Foreign Trust

I have written various blog posts covering foreign (i.e., non-US) trusts. Many of them concern US tax filing and reporting requirements with regard to such trusts.   My initial post provided a general overview of the troublesome US tax issues surrounding foreign trusts, and my blog post here navigates  the tricky waters in determining if a … Continue reading US Tax Filings by Fiduciary of Foreign Trust

US Tax Filings by US Grantor of Foreign Trust

Today's post is a continuation of a series of blog posts dealing with foreign trusts A general overview of the US tax issues surrounding foreign trusts can be found here. When a US person is involved in any way with a foreign trust extra caution is required.  Strict US tax filing responsibilities come into play … Continue reading US Tax Filings by US Grantor of Foreign Trust

Expatriation: Deferring Payment of the Exit Tax

I recently blogged about the debate between Prof. Edward Zelinsky and John Richardson as it pertained to the Exit Tax imposed on so-called "covered expatriates".  This was in the broader context of the US income taxation model which is based on one's "citizenship" rather than one's residence. The thrust of my earlier blog post concerned … Continue reading Expatriation: Deferring Payment of the Exit Tax

OOOPS! I Created a “Foreign” Trust

My earlier blog post set out the tax problems that arise when one has created a "foreign" trust with US beneficiaries.  This post will probe the factors used to determine whether a trust is a US trust or a “foreign” trust. It will also point out a possible pitfall for many families who have members … Continue reading OOOPS! I Created a “Foreign” Trust

A No-Go — Foreign Trust with A US Beneficiary

Often, persons living abroad are asked to help care for an elderly parent who lives in the USA.  Similar situations can arise for other family members, some of whom may be US citizens living outside of America, but who need assistance due to age or health-related issues. Quite often the care required is simply a … Continue reading A No-Go — Foreign Trust with A US Beneficiary

The #FBAR Marriage – A Troublesome Union

I was just recently interviewed on Canadian TV in 3 different sessions covering the US tax complications when a US person and non-US person are married (US income tax, gift tax, estate tax). I am being interviewed by John Richardson, a Canadian and US attorney. John calls this phenomenon the #FBARMarriage. Some marriages don't last -- … Continue reading The #FBAR Marriage – A Troublesome Union

Gifts & Bequests from Former Americans – Beware that Trojan Horse

Former US citizens or long term permanent residents who are giving up (or previously gave up) their US status, have far more than just the "Exit Tax" to worry about. They must also consider the impact the expatriation will have on their US family members and other intended US beneficiaries. I'm still waiting for more … Continue reading Gifts & Bequests from Former Americans – Beware that Trojan Horse

Foreign Individuals: US Estate Tax Reform Passed You By (Part II)

Part I of this blog post examined some of the rules regarding the US estate tax and how it applies to non-US persons (noncitizen/nonresident). Unfortunately, the US estate tax often catches the nonresident alien family by surprise and when it does, it bites hard.  Remember, the "nonresident alien" will include an individual who has expatriated (e.g., … Continue reading Foreign Individuals: US Estate Tax Reform Passed You By (Part II)