Offshore Tax Evasion: U.S. Clients Of Trident Trust Target Of IRS John Doe Summons

The Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service have recently reaffirmed their strong commitment to pursuing offshore tax evasion through the use of powerful investigative tools. One such tool is the IRS John Doe Summons. On Dec. 23, 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the IRS authority … Continue reading Offshore Tax Evasion: U.S. Clients Of Trident Trust Target Of IRS John Doe Summons →

Cross-Border Transactions: Foreign Laws And U.S. Tax In A Borderless World

In today’s interconnected world, borders blur while regulations multiply. Families span continents, careers pivot across countries, and even currencies like Bitcoin redefine value. Meanwhile, the U.S. tax system casts an ever-wider net, taxing its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they reside. Through measures like the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, the U.S. government … Continue reading Cross-Border Transactions: Foreign Laws And U.S. Tax In A Borderless World →

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” →

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 →

IRS Just Launched Pass-Through Compliance Unit: Heightened Focus on Trusts Including Foreign Foundations

The IRS has established a new pass-through compliance unit within its Large Business and International division, as announced on October 22, 2024. This unit aims to tackle “complex financial arrangements”, targeting high-net-worth individuals and entities that use partnerships, S-corporations, and trusts to reduce their tax burdens. Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the initiative seeks … Continue reading IRS Just Launched Pass-Through Compliance Unit: Heightened Focus on Trusts Including Foreign Foundations →

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 →

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” →

Filing A U.S. Tax Return – Even When Not Required – A Very Smart Move

Many taxpayers, especially retirees living abroad, may find themselves in a situation in which their income is too low to meet the threshold for filing a U.S. tax return. Retirees who only receive Social Security income (or small amounts of other additional income), for example, often fall below the tax filing requirement. Understandably, many people … Continue reading Filing A U.S. Tax Return – Even When Not Required – A Very Smart Move →

IRS Commitment To Assist International And Overseas Taxpayers

As indicated in its responses this summer to several key recommendations from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, the IRS is making strides towards enhancing the taxpayer experience. Among these, significant attention is being given to improving services for international and overseas taxpayers, a group that has faced unique challenges and severe penalties. This article highlights IRS responses … Continue reading IRS Commitment To Assist International And Overseas Taxpayers →

Green Card Holder Works Abroad: Tricky U.S. Tax And Immigration Issues

Navigating the intricacies of U.S. tax laws can be challenging, especially for green card holders living abroad. Green card holders have concerns that remaining outside the United States for too long may result in loss of the green card. One area that often causes confusion for green card holders is the “foreign earned income exclusion,” … Continue reading Green Card Holder Works Abroad: Tricky U.S. Tax And Immigration Issues →