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
Category: Reporting Rules
No Creation of US Companies or LLCs Without Disclosure! Your Name, Please – Corporate Transparency Act of 2019
Each year, almost 2,000,000 corporations and limited liability companies are being formed under the laws of the various United States. Yet, only a handful of States require information about the beneficial owners of the corporations and limited liability companies formed under their laws. A person forming a corporation or limited liability company within the US … Continue reading No Creation of US Companies or LLCs Without Disclosure! Your Name, Please – Corporate Transparency Act of 2019
Americans Overseas: Timely Filing of Tax Returns and Other Documents With the IRS
Quite often, US taxpayers living in a foreign country are faced with tight deadlines for filing their paper tax returns. They are often confused as to how to send these physical documents to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and be considered to have sent them in a timely fashion when the foreign (i.e., non-US) post … Continue reading Americans Overseas: Timely Filing of Tax Returns and Other Documents With the IRS
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
US Citizenship And Worldwide Taxation: Justified?
Tune in to the amazing debate between John Richardson and Edward Zelinsky, two renowned tax and citizenship professionals, taking place on Friday May 17. Not only is it free, but viewers will receive an unparalleled education about the major issues surrounding US citizenship, its tax consequences for the typical American abroad and Accidental Americans, effects … Continue reading US Citizenship And Worldwide Taxation: Justified?
Outrunning (and Outwitting) the IRS Using the Statute of Limitations
With tax returns either filed, in progress for Americans abroad, put on extension... (or late because an extension was not properly filed), now is a good time to look at the various statutes of limitations (SOL) applicable to US tax matters. What is a tax SOL? Simply, the SOL prescribes the length of time permitted … Continue reading Outrunning (and Outwitting) the IRS Using the Statute of Limitations
Should A Green Card Holder Use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion?
This is actually a difficult question to answer, despite the fact that many green card holders give little thought to the issue and willy-nilly claim the exclusion. Let's look at some background. Americans working abroad may be eligible to exclude from US taxable income certain foreign earned income (wages, compensation for services) under the rules … Continue reading Should A Green Card Holder Use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion?
House Blocks IRS Free-File Tax Help: Who Cares!
In early April, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would re-design the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It had a nifty and promising title, the "Taxpayer First Act of 2019". Despite its sweet title, part of the bill would prohibit the IRS from providing taxpayers with free tax preparation software. The for-profit tax preparation … Continue reading House Blocks IRS Free-File Tax Help: Who Cares!
Head’s Up! Foreign-Owned Single Member US LLC: Increase in Penalties for Form 5472
My earlier blog post covered some basics about Form 5472, including how the Form helps the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) learn about foreign-owned businesses in the US and when to audit them, the meanings of certain terms such as what is meant by a “reportable transaction” with a “related party”, and the situation requiring filing … Continue reading Head’s Up! Foreign-Owned Single Member US LLC: Increase in Penalties for Form 5472
Overseas Home? Mortgage Interest, Foreign Real Property Taxes & New US Tax Law – Any Workaround?
Sweeping tax reform was signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017. Now that tax returns are being prepared for the 2018 year, individuals are more keenly feeling the impact of the “Tax Cuts and Job Act” (“TCJA”). I’ve had numerous calls on two questions by Americans overseas who own a foreign residence. … Continue reading Overseas Home? Mortgage Interest, Foreign Real Property Taxes & New US Tax Law – Any Workaround?









