Tag: FATCA

Filing A U.S. Tax Return – Even When Not Required – A Very Smart Move

Many taxpayers, especially retirees living abroad, may find themselves in a situation in which their income is too low to meet the threshold for filing a U.S. tax return. Retirees who only receive Social Security income (or small amounts of other additional income), for example, often fall below the tax filing requirement. Understandably, many people … Continue reading Filing A U.S. Tax Return – Even When Not Required – A Very Smart Move →

3 Ways To Safeguard Finances Of The Vulnerable, Yet Navigate U.S. Tax

My article copied below, first appeared on Forbes July 2, 2024 – link here. Scams have become increasingly more convincing, posing significant financial risk to vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly. Financial security arrangements should be implemented, but when global financial assets or multi-nationals are involved, the U.S. tax issues can get complicated and require extra diligence.  … Continue reading 3 Ways To Safeguard Finances Of The Vulnerable, Yet Navigate U.S. Tax →

National Taxpayer Advocate – Pushes for Positive Changes for Americans Abroad

The law requires the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) to submit two annual reports to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, without any prior review or comment from the Internal Revenue Service.  The NTA Report for FY 2025 was just issued and includes various NTA advocacy objectives. Two of the … Continue reading National Taxpayer Advocate – Pushes for Positive Changes for Americans Abroad →

How Long Does The IRS Have To Catch Your U.S. Tax Mistake? 6 Scenarios

My article copied below, first appeared on Forbes June 11, 2024 – link here. It explains the important rules to know when IRS comes calling to review prior filed tax returns and assess additional taxes.  How long can the IRS come after a taxpayer for tax errors or worse? The tax statute of limitations can … Continue reading How Long Does The IRS Have To Catch Your U.S. Tax Mistake? 6 Scenarios →

Accidental Americans Learning They Are Citizens Face A Tax Dilemma

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 →

US Tax Issues Abound: A Global Look at Protecting Vulnerable Persons from Financial Fraud (The Case of the Wicked Stepdaughter)

On Wednesday I presented a webinar for the Financial Planning Association’s July International & Cross-Border Planning Knowledge Circle. My webinar highlighted numerous US tax issues when safeguarding the finances of the elderly (or other vulnerable individuals), whether Stateside or overseas.  You can listen to the entire webinar here. The Case of the Wicked Stepdaughter A … Continue reading US Tax Issues Abound: A Global Look at Protecting Vulnerable Persons from Financial Fraud (The Case of the Wicked Stepdaughter) →

Malta Retirement Plans – The Jig is Really Up!

Things are looking worse and worse for Americans who invested in Malta personal retirement plans. Not only has the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) listed them twice on its Dirty Dozen tax scams list, it has now proposed rules that will require taxpayers and material advisers to specially put the IRS on notice about their use.  … Continue reading Malta Retirement Plans – The Jig is Really Up! →

FATCA Reporting of Compensatory Foreign Stock Option on Form 8938

My earlier blog post covered some US tax issues faced by the individual granted options on foreign company stock by his non-US employer.  When it comes to foreign information return reporting, the grant of options to an employee on foreign stock can get confusing.  Is an option granted to an employee with respect to foreign … Continue reading FATCA Reporting of Compensatory Foreign Stock Option on Form 8938 →

Tax Statutes of Limitation – Run Fast, IRS is Right Behind You

With tax season in full swing, now is a good time to review the various civil statutes of limitations (SOL) rules that apply to US tax matters.  Perfect timing to review because we also have a Tax Court case from last month showing how harsh the consequences of the SOL can be if a taxpayer … Continue reading Tax Statutes of Limitation – Run Fast, IRS is Right Behind You →