As you, the American with investments abroad, get ready to prepare your 2014 tax return, there are important new FBAR filing requirements for 2014. Some of these FBAR filing requirements are cosmetic and others could get the misinformed in hot water. Note: If you have no idea what an FBAR is, you might check out […]
Record numbers of Americans gave up US citizenship in 2013. As the IRS mafia becomes ever more hostile to its citizenry, Americans give up US citizenship in record numbers. In 2013, 3,000 Americans lined up at embassies around the world to renounce their citizenship and get Uncle Sam out of their pockets for good. This is […]
One of the most confusing areas of going offshore are the benefits of the offshore company. Will going offshore reduce your taxes? The answer is a qualified maybe. Will an international corporation or LLC structure protect you from creditors? The answer is a resounding yes. In this article I will attempt to describe the benefits of […]
Before forming an offshore company, give some thought to where you will incorporate that entity and where you will operate the business. Of course, these don’t need to be the same country…you may do better to incorporate in one jurisdiction and operate from another. The following article will help you select the best jurisdiction for […]
Swiss bank secrecy, and banking privacy the world over, are dead and gone! The banks of Switzerland are bowing down to the United States yet again…Swiss bank secrecy is dead and gone again. The difference this time is that basically all Swiss banks are paying up, not just those with branches in the United […]
Spanish Tax Guide – this is the first in our country tax guide series. Spain emerged from five years of recession in mid-2013, and now is one of the hottest investment options around. Real estate and investment markets are still priced near the bottom, but are on the upswing, employment is improving, and the government’s […]
Who must pay US taxes you ask? Who is a US person for tax purposes? Who is in the crosshairs of the IRS? The answer is not quite as simple as you may think…and something that confuses many people living and operating a business in the US. Who is a U.S person for tax reporting […]
In most cases, you are not required to report gold to the IRS…whether it is in the US or offshore, it is exempt. Please see the full article for exceptions!
Surprisingly, yes you can invest in an active business with your retirement account. There are a many caveats and limitations, but you can usually lend money to a business, purchase shares in a corporation or LLC, or buy in as a partner receiving a share of the profits (flow-through structures). Now, let’s talk about those […]
If you want to use leverage / margin to increase your IRA’s investing power, then you need an offshore UBIT Blocker Corporation. There are major benefits available for the sophisticated investor offshore, and the most important is the ability to use leverage and avoiding US tax on that leverage. Without a blocker, you will pay […]
The general rule is that foreign real estate is not reportable to the IRS on Form 8938. Good news and an asset category that has been ignored by the IRS hawks trying to swoop in on as many international resources as possible. But, read on! While the default rule is that foreign real estate is […]
We get a lot of good questions from Expats around the globe during the April 15 and October 15 tax seasons. Here are a few from this go-round. Moving to a High Tax Country Q: “I’ve just moved to Australia in the last year. I currently have very little assets in the US and am […]
Thinking about moving your business offshore? If you are a US citizen, and your profits exceed $400,000, I guarantee Puerto Rico has a better deal for you. This article was published in 2013. For a more up to date post from December of 2015, see Blood in the Streets- the Puerto Rico Tax Deal and […]
As America hurdles towards default, more of us are considering diversifying out of the United States and planting the first flag offshore. While there may be some last minute backroom deal to stave off disaster, many of us have lost confidence in a system out of control. If this resonates with you, I suggest you […]
Are you thinking of using your IRA to invest abroad? Do you want to move your retirement account out of the United States? There are two very different ways to accomplish these goals. First, you can use a simple self-directed IRA and allow your custodian to make whatever investments you need. Second, you can take […]
I am often asked if an Expat can invest in a retirement plan. The simple answer is yes, there are retirement plans for Expats. Yes, if you are living and working offshore, you can use a retirement plan to reduce your taxes. Yes, the Expat can use a Solo 401k plan to save on taxes! […]
Are you tired of paying in to the Obamanation? Is most of your income from capital gains taxed at 24% plus whatever your State grabs? You can eliminate tax on interest, dividends and capital gains by moving to Puerto Rico…immediately and legally. This article was published in 2013. For a more up to date post […]
Do you own property outside of the United States? Are you thinking about investing in offshore real estate? Are you an offshore real estate mogul looking to reduce or eliminate your US taxes? This article will cover all areas of US taxation of offshore real estate and provide insider tips and techniques to get your […]
There are many US tax benefits to living, working, and/or investing offshore. This article discusses each of the Tax Benefits of Going Offshore in detail with links to supporting information. If you are considering going offshore, this is a must read.
Panama vs. Singapore by By Christian Reeves and Lief Simon (www.offshorelivingletter.com) “Panama is the next Singapore,” declared a friend over lunch the other day. He wasn’t the first I’ve heard make the prediction. Since finding its legs after the U.S. military handed over the canal, Panama’s economy has been on an uninterrupted upward trend. Even throughout […]