Americans Abroad: Sale of “Principal Residence”, Gain Exclusion, Unforeseen Circumstances & COVID-19

Section 121 of the US Internal Revenue Code allows for the exclusion of up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple filing jointly) in gains arising from the sale of a "principal residence." The exclusion applies whether the residence is located Stateside or overseas. The tax law has very specific rules. Aside from the fact that … Continue reading Americans Abroad: Sale of “Principal Residence”, Gain Exclusion, Unforeseen Circumstances & COVID-19 →

IRS Determined to Collect FBAR Penalties – “We Have Ways of Making You Pay” … Even if Your Money is Outside the US

The case of US v Schwarzbaum (decided October 26, 2021), discussed in today’s blog post, serves as a harsh reminder of how far the US government will go to collect FBAR penalties. The importance of posting about this latest development is to underscore how aggressive FBAR penalty collection efforts are now becoming. Of course, this case … Continue reading IRS Determined to Collect FBAR Penalties – “We Have Ways of Making You Pay” … Even if Your Money is Outside the US →

Understanding Self-Employment Tax: The American Abroad

US Social Security and Medicare taxes continue to apply to “wages” for services performed as an employee working outside of the United States if you are working for an “American employer”. Many Americans abroad are employees of a foreign employer and I will write a separate blog post about their situation. Many Americans abroad are self-employed … Continue reading Understanding Self-Employment Tax: The American Abroad →

Coming Soon! Higher Income and Capital Gains Taxes & More – Beware Trusts, Expatriation Planning

The House Ways and Means Committee recently released its proposal (HWM Proposal) to fund the US$3.5 trillion "Build Back Better Act" reconciliation spending package. Not unexpectedly, the proposal takes aim at high income earners. Here’s a few pointers that are important for many of my readers, especially those with US trusts or those looking at … Continue reading Coming Soon! Higher Income and Capital Gains Taxes & More – Beware Trusts, Expatriation Planning →

Cannot Expatriate! US Consulate in Dubai – Joining Others Worldwide, Closes the Door on Expatriations

An alternative title for this post could be: "Hasn't the State Department Heard About Zoom?" What’s become of the right to relinquish one’s US citizenship? It has been thrown a curveball for the past year and a half. Many US Embassies and Consulates throughout the world are not offering the service. Those that did (or … Continue reading Cannot Expatriate! US Consulate in Dubai – Joining Others Worldwide, Closes the Door on Expatriations →

International Taxpayers Need – But Can’t Have an IRS Online Account

An IRS online account is a safe and easy way for individual taxpayers to view specific details about their federal tax account. The American Abroad REALLY Needs an Online Tax Account How the US taxpayer living overseas would appreciate having such an online account! Time zone differences, long distance telephone charges when trying to reach … Continue reading International Taxpayers Need – But Can’t Have an IRS Online Account →

What’s Happening with Crypto “Broker” Reporting and the Infrastructure Bill?

The US Senate released legislative text of a 2,702-page bipartisan infrastructure bill (HR 3684) on August 1, 2021. It includes proposed tax law changes as well other budgetary offsets. One of the biggest revenue raisers is contained in Section 80603 of the bill “Information Reporting for Brokers and Digital Assets” (to be found on page … Continue reading What’s Happening with Crypto “Broker” Reporting and the Infrastructure Bill? →

Constitutionality of NIIT and Passport Revocation Rules Stand: Taxpayers Sacrificed in US Supreme Court and Tax Court

The US Supreme Court and the Tax Court issued two big decisions impacting many US individual taxpayers. Here’s a short and not-so-sweet summary of what went down: The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax Stands On June 17, 2021, by a clear majority vote, the Affordable Care (ACA) was upheld by the US Supreme Court, including … Continue reading Constitutionality of NIIT and Passport Revocation Rules Stand: Taxpayers Sacrificed in US Supreme Court and Tax Court →

Checked “YES” to the Crypto Question on Form 1040? Have NFTs? Get Ready….

It’s been no secret that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has cracked down on crypto. With many more taxpayers investing in cryptocurrencies the agency has targeted crypto investors who are often not complying with the US tax rules (many unknowingly). IRS “John Doe” subpoena activity of crypto exchanges has been successful with the biggies such … Continue reading Checked “YES” to the Crypto Question on Form 1040? Have NFTs? Get Ready…. →

All You Need to Know about the 3.8% Medicare / Net Investment Income Tax & how Pres. Biden Will Expand Who Pays It

Under current law, limited partners who materially participate in a partnership's business are not subject to self-employment tax. Members of an S corporation who materially participate in the S corporation's business are subject to self-employment tax only on "reasonable compensation" received in their capacity as an “employee”. These individuals are also exempt from the 3.8% … Continue reading All You Need to Know about the 3.8% Medicare / Net Investment Income Tax & how Pres. Biden Will Expand Who Pays It →