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

Giving Up Citizenship Or Green Card: Harsh Tax On Social Security

A portion of an individual’s U.S. Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits may be subject to U.S. income tax, regardless if the individual is a U.S. or non-U.S. person.  Before delving into the details about tax on Social Security, it is helpful to understand the different nomenclature when it comes to certain benefits.  Social … Continue reading Giving Up Citizenship Or Green Card: Harsh Tax On Social Security

40% Transfer Tax: IRS Final Say On Foreign Gifts, Bequests From “Covered Expatriates”

Seventeen years after Congress enacted IRC Section 2801, the IRS (finally) released final regulations implementing the law on January 10, 2025.  It’s been a long wait. The regulations clarify (to a certain extent) the tax implications for U.S. persons receiving certain gifts and bequests from former U.S. citizens and long-term resident green card holders. At its … Continue reading 40% Transfer Tax: IRS Final Say On Foreign Gifts, Bequests From “Covered Expatriates”

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

Breaking! Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad May Become Reality

Representative Darin LaHood just introduced on December 18 the Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad Act, aiming to modernize the US tax system for Americans living overseas. This proposal seeks to shift from the current citizenship-based taxation—which taxes US citizens on their worldwide income regardless of residence—to a residency-based system. The existing US tax framework has … Continue reading Breaking! Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad May Become Reality

Late Form 3520 Foreign Gifts And Bequests, Good News From IRS

The IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel announced some good news for taxpayers at the end of October 2024. The IRS has ended its practice of automatically assessing penalties when a taxpayer voluntarily submits a late Form 3520, Part IV. This form deals with the obligation of U.S. persons to report to the IRS the receipt of … Continue reading Late Form 3520 Foreign Gifts And Bequests, Good News From IRS