Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D. — US tax matters affecting international clients
In a holding by the US Tax Court on April 8, 2024, the case of Raju J. Mukhi v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue brought into sharp focus the principle of stare decisis and its implications for tax law. The Tax Court rejected the IRS’ assessment of penalties under Section 6038(b), for failure to file Form … Continue reading Taxpayer Wins Again on 5471 Penalty – IRS Cannot Assess
As some of my readers know, I am now a contributor writing on Forbes. My coverage area is US international tax law for overseas Americans and foreigners. My article is copied below. It first appeared on Forbes April 9, here. Don't miss out on my informative and easy-to-understand US tax content - Follow me on … Continue reading Accidental Americans Learning They Are Citizens Face A Tax Dilemma
As most of my readers know the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires US entities (including for example, US LLCs, corporations, partnerships), and many foreign entities including those that register to do business in a state, to disclose to FinCEN of the Treasury Department, the identity of their beneficial owners. Information to be provided: name, date … Continue reading Corporate Transparency Act: BEWARE! The Scammers have Already Arrived!
Discovered an error in a prior year’s tax return? Everyone is busy preparing US tax returns for 2023. Taxpayers should note that thorough preparation of the current year’s tax return should include a review at least, of the return filed for the prior tax year. (Taxpayers using new return preparers should be wary if … Continue reading To Amend or Not to Amend – That is the Question
How difficult is it for a taxpayer to establish “reasonable cause” such that penalties for various tax mishaps can be forgiven or abated? It’s very difficult. The recent case of Wayne Lee v. United States, No. 22-10793 (11th Cir. 10/24/23) underscores the point and reminds taxpayers to get reliable tax advisors and return preparers. Going … Continue reading Taxpayer Denied “Reasonable Cause” When Preparer Fails to e-file Returns
My recent blog posts here, here and here have been examining the US estate tax and its impact on foreign investors in the US. The posts explored estate tax basics, the concepts of “domicile”, ”situs” of assets, the troublesome Federal Transfer Certificate and the paltry estate tax exemption of USD60,000 given to non-US non-domiciliaries for … Continue reading How do Estate Tax Treaties Work? They Don’t if the Decedent is a US Citizen or Domiciliary
My recent and upcoming blog posts are examining the US estate tax and how it often comes as an unwelcome surprise to the foreign investor in the US and to the foreign heirs when the investor passes away. The family is often left to clean up the mess if the investor has not properly planned … Continue reading US Estate Tax – What is “Situs”? Location of Assets Makes a World of Difference
My recent blog posts (e.g. here, and here) emphasized how important it is for Americans who are investing in foreign (non-US) assets to understand the US tax consequences of making that investment. Far too often I have seen individuals invest substantial amounts of money without knowing the tax impact of that infusion of hard-earned cash. … Continue reading The Real World: When Foreigners Die Owning US Assets – Estate Tax, Federal Transfer Certificate and Related Troubles
Today’s post continues to explore the interplay between foreign corporations and the US shareholder’s ability for lower tax rates available only for "qualified dividends". It's a complicated topic. Not all dividends are treated the same and the nuances can make a big difference to the taxpayer’s ultimate investment return. As detailed in my earlier blog … Continue reading “Qualified Dividend Income”: How do the Rules Apply to “Controlled Foreign Corporations?” (Part I)
Holidays are soon upon us, and many people will be making gifts to family and friends. It is very common to make gifts of cash – typically sending funds from a bank account to the recipient’s account. When gifts are made by foreign persons to US persons, there are many US tax traps for both … Continue reading Tis the Season! Giving / Getting Gifts from a Foreign Entity?
Virginia - US TAX TALK 