Tax Traps for the Generous but Unwary Foreigner with a Child (or other Relative) in the USA

Over my many years of international tax practice, I regularly come across the loving foreign parent (or relative) with a child (or other relation) residing in the United States. The individual may be studying there or living there and pursuing the American dream - starting a business or perhaps buying a home. He or she … Continue reading Tax Traps for the Generous but Unwary Foreigner with a Child (or other Relative) in the USA →

Estate Taxes Going Up – Is There Still a Golden Gifting Opportunity?

Janet Yellen, the former Federal Reserve chairperson is now the new US Secretary of the Treasury. She has staunchly defended President Biden's plan to reduce the estate-tax exemption amount from the current US$11.5 million to US$3.5 million, as well as to increase the top estate tax rate from 40% to 45%. In responding to criticism … Continue reading Estate Taxes Going Up – Is There Still a Golden Gifting Opportunity? →

Extension Granted for Gift Tax Returns and Payments – No Extension for Form 3520

My earlier blog post detailed the extensions for filing and payment of US income taxes on account of the COVID-19 emergency. Further relief was just granted on March 27 by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Notice 2020-20 to all taxpayers who have Federal gift (and generation-skipping transfer) tax returns and payments due on April … Continue reading Extension Granted for Gift Tax Returns and Payments – No Extension for Form 3520 →

Time to Review! Tax Issues for US Recipients of Gifts/Bequests from Foreigners

With Christmas having recently been on our doorstep, now is the time to review what tax consequences are in store for gift givers and their lucky recipients. US tax filings might be required of a US individual who receives a gift (whether in cash or property of some kind - you know, a 5 carat … Continue reading Time to Review! Tax Issues for US Recipients of Gifts/Bequests from Foreigners →

OOOOPS! I Received a Gift from a Foreign Corporation (or Foreign Partnership)

Here in the Middle East where I have been practicing for almost two decades, I have seen that it is very common for families to create offshore structures in various countries (outside the USA) to hold a large portion of the family wealth. The underlying reasons for maintaining these structures outside of the family’s home … Continue reading OOOOPS! I Received a Gift from a Foreign Corporation (or Foreign Partnership) →

JUST ANNOUNCED! Foreign Related Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2019

The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax year 2019 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2018-57 provides details about these annual adjustments. The tax year 2019 adjustments generally are used on tax returns filed in 2020. For those of you … Continue reading JUST ANNOUNCED! Foreign Related Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2019 →