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 →

IRS Slipshod Work and Document Destruction Can Mean Big Problems – Especially for Expatriates

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has been documenting some careless work being carried out by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We have the most recent TIGTA report (Number 2022-40-036) of May 4, 2022 reporting that the IRS destroyed 30 million “paper-filed information return documents” without bothering to process them beforehand. This destruction … Continue reading IRS Slipshod Work and Document Destruction Can Mean Big Problems – Especially for Expatriates →

Foreign Accounts and Assets: How I Approach a “Streamlined” Tax Filing Nowadays

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Streamlined Procedures of 2014 are still available for taxpayers with tax noncompliance issues that involve unreported income from a foreign financial asset. The Procedures can help taxpayers who have not filed certain information returns associated with the foreign asset (e.g., Form 8938; Form 5471 pertaining to ownership in a foreign … Continue reading Foreign Accounts and Assets: How I Approach a “Streamlined” Tax Filing Nowadays →

Escaping the USA, Exit Tax and Transfer Tax Regimes: Using the “Dual National” Exception

The economy is not looking good with the stock market dropping sharply, with tech companies being hit most dramatically, dropping by about 40%. Crypto markets are also in a freefall and liquidity has dried up. As a result, it may be the perfect time for individuals wishing to relinquish green cards held for a long … Continue reading Escaping the USA, Exit Tax and Transfer Tax Regimes: Using the “Dual National” Exception →

Expatriation and Tax Compliance – IRS Fails to Process the Tax Return

As a tax practitioner I have assisted many taxpayers for decades with expatriation issues (i.e., relinquishing US citizenship or a green card held for at least 8 tax years). In the best case scenario, the taxpayer can avoid being treated as a "covered expatriate" (CE). Sometimes tax planning, correcting tax returns or submitting delinquent international … Continue reading Expatriation and Tax Compliance – IRS Fails to Process the Tax Return →

Part II: Biden Proposal Changes the Taxation Game for Gifts and Inheritances – Americans Abroad Hit Hard

Today's post, Part II, was written with my colleague John Richardson, J.D. Part I of this blog post discussed President Biden's Green Book proposal that would change the tax rules for unrealized capital gains when assets are gifted or passed at death. To recap, the major thrust of the Green Book proposal is to treat gifts … Continue reading Part II: Biden Proposal Changes the Taxation Game for Gifts and Inheritances – Americans Abroad Hit Hard →

Looking for Mr. FBAR: FBAR Filings for Trustees, Beneficiaries & Trust Grantors

My earlier post set out certain details about the responsibility for a trust to file the Report of Foreign Financial Accounts (Form 114), or FBAR, with respect to foreign accounts it owns or is deemed to own under the FBAR rules. Today’s discussion covers the situation when trustees, trust beneficiaries and grantors (i.e., the trust … Continue reading Looking for Mr. FBAR: FBAR Filings for Trustees, Beneficiaries & Trust Grantors →

UAE Federal Corporate Tax: How Will it Impact the US Taxpayer? Part II

As discussed in my prior blog post, full details here, on January 31, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Finance announced the introduction of a federal corporate tax (CT) on business, to be implemented in June 2023. The UAE is joining the other Gulf Cooperation Council countries (with exception for Bahrain) that collect tax … Continue reading UAE Federal Corporate Tax: How Will it Impact the US Taxpayer? Part II →

Timing Considerations for Expatriation, Tax Compliance and Form 8854

I invite readers to enjoy my article, copied below, recently published by Bloomberg Tax in the Daily Tax Report. Reproduced with permission. Published January 7, 2022. The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bloombergindustry.com It is online here. My blog post today contains additional input with a link to a podcast on this topic with US … Continue reading Timing Considerations for Expatriation, Tax Compliance and Form 8854 →

Caught in the US Tax Trap: PART II How Does a Non-US citizen Become a US “Resident” – Taxed on WORLDWIDE Income?

Last week's blog post looked at one way that a non-US citizen can become subject to US income tax on his or her worldwide income - simply by getting a US green card. Today's post looks at the other way one can fall into the US tax trap. “Substantial Presence” in the US An individual … Continue reading Caught in the US Tax Trap: PART II How Does a Non-US citizen Become a US “Resident” – Taxed on WORLDWIDE Income? →