UBIT in an IRA is a real pain in the rear… at least if you’re IRA is onshore. When you take an IRA offshore, UBIT is not big deal. Here’s an explanation of UBIT in an IRA and how to deal with it. UBIT stands for Unrelated Business Income Tax. We call this type of […]
The best tax deal available to hedge fund traders and investment fund managers is Puerto Rico. There’s no tax holiday available anywhere in the world that can compete with the offer from Puerto Rico. Here’s how to setup and operate an investment fund tax free from Puerto Rico. First, let me explain why Puerto Rico […]
This article is about where to start an EB-5 business. Where to set up an EB-5 visa company with 10 employees, get your US green card and passport, and pay near zero in US taxes. If you’re considering where to open an EB-5 visa business, I bet you’ve never considered this tax trick. First, a […]
You can invest your self directed IRA in mutual funds, hedge funds, and any active business. There are very few limitations on how you invest your retirement account. But that’s only half the issue. While you can invest in whatever you like, there all kinds of tax costs associated with investing your IRA into a […]
There’s a battle brewing between the establishment and President Trump. Powerful forces are aligning against our President and we’re left hoping the economy and our savings come out of this unscathed. Gambling all of your retirement savings on red is a foolish risk. No one knows what will happen, but we do know that there’s […]
Here’s how to report a foreign salary or international business income. If you earn money from working as an employee or independent contractor, you need to report it on your US tax return. Here’s how to report income paid by a foreign company. I’ll briefly comment on income earned from abroad while living in the […]
Most of Trump’s tax plans will help American expats. If you’re living abroad, and making more than the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, or have significant capital gains, Trump might cut your US taxes significantly. First, I should point out that there’s been no indication Trump will attack the FEIE. I don’t expect this Exclusion to […]
The number one question I get on offshore IRAs, is “can I buy foreign real estate with my retirement account?” The answer is a resounding yes. You can buy raw land, a home, condo, office building, or anything else you like outside of the United States within your retirement account. In fact, you can buy […]
Trump’s travel ban prohibiting those from 7 high risk countries from entering the United States for a few months has sparked protests across the country and crocodile tears from Senator Chuck Schumer. This ban affects a relatively small number of foreigners and caught 109 people “in the air,” who were held at US airports for […]
Most top offshore banks are closed to Americans. In fact, 95% of the best foreign banks have shut their doors to us because of the costly reporting now required by the IRS. The only way you can get into the best banks in 2017 is through the back door. Here’s how to gain access to […]
It can be very difficult to open an offshore bank account. Whether you’re American, European, or Chinese, times are tough. Most international banks are closing their doors to everyone but those with residency visas. Here’s how to fight through and open an offshore bank account. Opening an account offshore is VERY different from opening one […]
When a US citizen forms an offshore corporation in a low tax country different from his country of operation, he has a Controlled Foreign Corporation with possible Subpart F income issues. In this article, I’ll review the Subpart F rules and determining factors. First, let’s talk about a Controlled Foreign Corporation. Subpart F only applies […]
Many people think that IRAs are protected from civil creditors and the IRS… many people are wrong. Here’s how to get enhanced protection for your IRA and take control of your investments. IRA assets are protected to varying degrees by each of the states and under the federal bankruptcy law. In order to secure 100% […]
If you’re living abroad and paid by a US company, you’ll pay self employment tax on your earnings. If you’re living offshore and operating a business without an offshore company or LLC, you’ll pay self employment tax on your profits. Here’s how self employment tax works when you’re offshore and how to avoid it. All […]
One of the hottest citizenship by investment or purchase programs is the St. Lucia second passport. An investment of $500,000 to $550,000 in government bonds, or paying a fee of $100,000 (single), gets you one of the top passports on the market. Because of the popularity of the government bond program, they’ve made this option […]
Did you form an offshore LLC last year? Are you using an offshore LLC to hold foreign investments or to protect an international bank account? Here are your US filing requirements for that offshore LLC. As the owner of an offshore LLC, you’ll need to file an entity election form, an annual tax return, a […]
An offshore bank account can open up new investment, privacy, and protection options. An international account gives you access to a new world of possibilities and higher returning investments not available in the United States. Here are my top 10 reasons you want an offshore bank account in 2017. Each of our clients has their […]
Here’s an overview of offshore trusts and community property law. If you’re married, and live in a community property state, you and your spouse must work together to form the most efficient asset protection structure. An offshore trust must include special provisions for those in community property states. Let me frame the issue surrounding offshore […]
A Panama Financial Services Company is a licensed but unregulated financial entity which allows you to hold and manage client funds in Panama. The Panama financial services license is issued by the Panamanian Ministry of Commerce (Ministerio de Comercio and Industrias). It’s much easier to keep in compliance than a license issued by the banking […]
With all the talk about keeping jobs at home and taxing foreign corporations, I wanted to start the year with a post on why Trump is great for the offshore industry… at least, for those operating small businesses, investing abroad, and/or moving assets offshore for asset protection. This article will focus on why a Trump […]