Americans Abroad: October 15 Tax Filing Deadline – Not Ready? Don’t Panic

US persons living and working overseas often find it more difficult to meet the deadlines for their tax returns. This is so because they may have foreign financial assets that require a more extensive tax analysis to prepare the return. Just think about the work required to figure out the “transition tax” or “deemed repatriation … Continue reading Americans Abroad: October 15 Tax Filing Deadline – Not Ready? Don’t Panic

Giving up Your US Green Card – Make Sure It is Done Correctly or Pay the Price!

People from countries all over the world apply for US permanent residency status, informally known as obtaining a “green card”.   Nowadays, however, many US green card holders are questioning whether to continue holding the green card. The number of individuals who are renouncing their US citizenship or relinquishing their long term permanent resident status (this … Continue reading Giving up Your US Green Card – Make Sure It is Done Correctly or Pay the Price!

The Unreported Offshore Account – Still Alive After Death & Plaguing Executors and Heirs

My blog post reproduced below was originally posted on AngloInfo "Let's Talk About US Tax" Posted on October 12, 2015 by Virginia La Torre Jeker J.D., When someone dies owning an unreported financial account, the heirs and executors of the estate are faced with a serious problem. First, assuming there is undeclared income earned with respect to the … Continue reading The Unreported Offshore Account – Still Alive After Death & Plaguing Executors and Heirs

FBAR “Last Chance” Due Date Soon Here – What to do with Virtual Currency?

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had earlier issued an announcement reminding of the due date for filing the 2017 FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (the notorious “FBAR”).  The 2017 FBAR relates to foreign financial accounts held at any time during the calendar year 2017. In line with the change in … Continue reading FBAR “Last Chance” Due Date Soon Here – What to do with Virtual Currency?

Americans Abroad: Sept 18, LONDON – Push to End Citizenship-Based Taxation

A lively discussion is set to drum up support to convince US lawmakers to end America’s increasingly-unpopular “citizenship-based” tax regime. The meeting will take place in London next week. When: Tuesday 18 September 2018 - 17:30 to 19:00 Where: Central London location – to be confirmed upon RSVP (nearest tube: Westminster) Venue: To be provided upon RSVP (nearest … Continue reading Americans Abroad: Sept 18, LONDON – Push to End Citizenship-Based Taxation

MORE Real Life Examples: US Tax Traps of International Community Property

Part I of my blog post explained the basics of community property and how US tax laws can override certain community property principles when a US/NRA married couple is involved.  This was followed by a blog post posing a smattering of real-life examples that demonstrated how community property laws can impact the US tax situation … Continue reading MORE Real Life Examples: US Tax Traps of International Community Property

OVDP Ending / IRS To Announce New Procedures

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded taxpayers yesterday that they have until September 28 to apply for the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP). In March, the IRS announced the program would end on the 28th of this month. The IRS has made clear that it will continue to hold taxpayers with undisclosed offshore holdings accountable after … Continue reading OVDP Ending / IRS To Announce New Procedures

The Sky’s the Limit: FBAR Penalty Win for IRS – New Case Upholds 50% of Account Balance

I have been keeping readers up to date with the current controversy surrounding imposition of an FBAR penalty for “willful” violations.  Two courts have limited the FBAR “willfulness” penalty to $100,000 because the Department of Treasury did not update the relevant regulations to match the statute as revised by Congress in 2004.  Essentially the dispute … Continue reading The Sky’s the Limit: FBAR Penalty Win for IRS – New Case Upholds 50% of Account Balance

Americans Abroad – May Legislative Relief Be Forthcoming?

I have blogged extensively about the US tax problems faced by Americans living and working overseas (for example, see my posts here, here and here). There is a possibility that the US Congress may introduce, debate and vote upon a bill that may ease the US tax burdens placed on such overseas Americans.  A bill … Continue reading Americans Abroad – May Legislative Relief Be Forthcoming?

The FATCA Goose Lays a Rotten Egg: Treasury Watchdog Lambasts IRS & US Supreme Court Denies Relief

I have blogged extensively about the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” (FATCA) in the past.  Most of my readers know that FATCA was enacted in 2010 but has taken years to implement. The law requires foreign (non-US) financial institutions (FFIs) to report financial accounts owned by US persons (including through entities) to the Internal Revenue … Continue reading The FATCA Goose Lays a Rotten Egg: Treasury Watchdog Lambasts IRS & US Supreme Court Denies Relief