Malta Pension Plan – IRS Knocks It Out.. and Yes, “I Told You So…..”

Just in time for Christmas, we have two big gifts. Both relate to Malta Pension Plan schemes. If you are too busy to read the post because of the Christmas rush,  in a nutshell, they've just been knocked out and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is hot on the trail for taxpayers who used them! … Continue reading Malta Pension Plan – IRS Knocks It Out.. and Yes, “I Told You So…..”

Renouncing One’s US Citizenship: More Audits, Virtual Currency, CLN & Travel

COVID-19 restrictions have severely limited services at US embassies and consulates around the world. As a result, renouncing one’s US citizenship has become very difficult, and in many cases, just about impossible at the current time. This gives individuals more time to make sure they have properly planned for expatriation. It's a big step. I … Continue reading Renouncing One’s US Citizenship: More Audits, Virtual Currency, CLN & Travel

Foreign Pension Plans / Retirement Trusts – Is IRS Seeing the Light?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - starting to see some light with respect to "foreign" pension plans?  The US tax issues surrounding foreign pensions and retirement schemes is extremely complex and has vexed tax professionals and US persons abroad for many years.  (Read my earlier blog post here).  Due to the diversity of such plans, … Continue reading Foreign Pension Plans / Retirement Trusts – Is IRS Seeing the Light?

Oh No! I Have a “Foreign” Pension or Employee Savings Plan and Uncle Sam is Killing Me (Part I)

“Foreign” pension or similar plans are a very common feature in the lives of US expats residing and working abroad. As used here, the word “pension” is only a general term. While pensions in the United States often refer to defined benefit retirement plans, my use in today’s blog post refers to a pension as … Continue reading Oh No! I Have a “Foreign” Pension or Employee Savings Plan and Uncle Sam is Killing Me (Part I)

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

US Tax Disaster – Investing in Offshore Funds, Life Policies, Portfolio Bonds

What Every Overseas American Investor Must Know …. Many American investors are confused by sales pitches of expat investment advisors who are most often completely unfamiliar with US tax laws. While it is true that no tax may be payable in the fund's jurisdiction (Isle of Man, Guernsey or the UAE, for instance), significant US … Continue reading US Tax Disaster – Investing in Offshore Funds, Life Policies, Portfolio Bonds

FORM 8938: Infinite Statute of Limitations & Everything Else You Need to Know

My prior blog post gave details about how the Form 8938, an important “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” (FATCA) enforcement weapon, is currently failing.  IRS enforcement efforts are soon on the upswing.  This is because the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued a report over the summer pointing out the IRS' failures with regard … Continue reading FORM 8938: Infinite Statute of Limitations & Everything Else You Need to Know