Global Assets, U.S. Persons: Cross-Border Tax Planning Mandatory

In her recent Forbes article “Foreign Trusts – How Structure Can Prevent a Million-Dollar Penalty,” Priya Royal emphasizes a core maxim of cross-border tax planning: whenever U.S. persons are part of the “clan,” heightened vigilance is required. The same principle holds true when U.S. situs assets are involved in foreign families or their structures. Global … Continue reading Global Assets, U.S. Persons: Cross-Border Tax Planning Mandatory

Exciting Update: Revamped US Tax Primer for Expats & Global Citizens + Must-Watch YouTube Interviews!

Hello subscribers, global go-getters, expats, and anyone navigating the maze of US taxes abroad! I've got some exciting updates that'll make your financial life smoother and your dreams of living overseas a whole lot less taxing. First, I just rolled out a complete refresh of my flagship US Tax Primer for American Expatriates Worldwide and … Continue reading Exciting Update: Revamped US Tax Primer for Expats & Global Citizens + Must-Watch YouTube Interviews!

Residence-Based Taxation: Social Security, Pensions And 30% Withholding

The endorsement of an elective residence-based taxation model by former IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig and former IRS Commissioner Counselor Tom Cullinan, covered in my earlier Forbes article, has sparked important discussions about fairness for Americans abroad. Their piece highlights the burdens of America’s citizenship-based tax system and calls for a shift to treat expats more … Continue reading Residence-Based Taxation: Social Security, Pensions And 30% Withholding

Former IRS Leaders Endorse Residency-Based Tax For Americans Abroad

Nearly a year ago, in the waning days of the 118th Congress, Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL) introduced a groundbreaking piece of legislation that sent ripples through the expatriate community and the international tax world: the Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad Act (H.R. 10468). As I detailed in my earlier Forbes article, this bill represented a bold step … Continue reading Former IRS Leaders Endorse Residency-Based Tax For Americans Abroad

U.S. Tax Rules: IRAs After Giving Up Citizenship Or Green Card

Imagine over the years that you’ve built a nest egg in a U.S. Individual Retirement Account, Roth IRA, or Simplified Employee Pension IRA.  This is a common scenario for many U.S. citizens and green card holders while working in the United States. In a scenario that is becoming increasingly more common, imagine that after years … Continue reading U.S. Tax Rules: IRAs After Giving Up Citizenship Or Green Card

New Self-Employment Tax Risks For U.S. Investors In Global Funds

The U.S. Tax Court decided Soroban Capital Partners LP v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo 2025-52) in May 2025 leaving financial, tax and legal advisors concerned.  The court upended assumptions about the self-employment tax exemption for limited partners in hedge funds, and by analogy to venture capital, and private equity partnerships both in the U.S. and abroad.  U.S. … Continue reading New Self-Employment Tax Risks For U.S. Investors In Global Funds

5 U.S. Estate Tax Surprises For Nonresident Alien Investors

Foreign investors can win big with United States investments.  While holding U.S. assets can be lucrative, the U.S. estate tax regime is complex and often misunderstood by nonresident alien investors. NRAs, those who are neither U.S. citizens nor residents for estate tax purposes, are often very surprised when they learn of the challenges imposed by the … Continue reading 5 U.S. Estate Tax Surprises For Nonresident Alien Investors

Executor Beware: Personal Liability for Unpaid Estate Tax and More

Serving as the executor of an estate is not just an administrative duty. It involves significant legal responsibilities, particularly when it comes to ensuring that all tax obligations of the deceased are properly addressed.  Executors must locate the estate’s assets, assess debts and liabilities, and make distributions to beneficiaries. Critically, they must do all this … Continue reading Executor Beware: Personal Liability for Unpaid Estate Tax and More

The Hendler Case: FBAR Penalties Survive Beyond Death

A recent decision reminds taxpayers and the tax compliance community of the importance of filing the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.  The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in United States v. Hendler, 23 Civ. 3280 (Sept. 17, 2024) has clarified the enduring nature of penalties tied to FBAR. … Continue reading The Hendler Case: FBAR Penalties Survive Beyond Death