We’re thrilled to have you join us on this platform where we share insights, offer expert advice, and explore the exciting world of international bank licensing, fintech, and regulatory compliance. Here, you will find a wealth of information spanning various topics, from starting up an international bank to navigating complex tax and business planning strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned player in the financial services sector or an entrepreneur looking to enter this space, our blog aims to be a reliable resource for you. We hope to inspire, educate, and engage you as we delve into the intricate dynamics of the regulated business landscape together. Enjoy the journey, and don’t hesitate to engage with us – we value your questions, comments, and ideas.
Avoid the ObamaCare Tax, Offshore Edition
The new ObamaCare tax, called the Net Investment Income Tax, or NIIT, hits U.S. residents and expats alike with a 38% levy on most forms of investment income. If your taxable income in 2014 was $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint), the ObamaCare tax is coming your way. These rates are fixed and will not increase […]
Quotes from Financial Giants Applied to Offshore Investment
These are my favorite quotes from the giants of finance that I apply to my offshore investment and my offshore business. If you want to manage your offshore investment portfolio, follow this advice to diversification and wealth. The two quotes that I follow in every offshore investment that I make, and in my business (which […]
The Offshore Tax Inversion
What the heck is an offshore tax inversion and why should I care? The inversion has been all over the news and was even called “un-American” by our President today (July 25, 2014). Here is everything the small to medium sized business owner needs to know about the tax inversion. Where a large corporation is […]
The Real Return on a U.S. Treasury
The real return on U.S. Treasuries is a miserable 0.6% per year. If you don’t think you can do better than this offshore, then leave your retirement with Fidelity and risk it being taken over by the U.S government and MyRa. If you think you can beat the real return on U.S. Treasuries by diversifying […]
IRS Collection Statute for Expats
A few days ago I wrote an article on dealing with the IRS as an expat. Apparently, a number of you are carrying tax debt and are concerned with the IRS collection statute – how long the IRS has to collect that tax debt. This article is specifically for those living abroad that owe the […]
Offshore IRS Audit Statute
For most Americans, the IRS audit statute, the amount of time the IRS has to come after you once you have filed your return, is three years. Not so for those with foreign accounts and foreign assets. In most cases, the IRS has six years to audit your international investments. First, let’s review the IRS […]
Offshore Basics – What’ Legal and What’ Not
If you’re new to the world of offshore, then this article on offshore basics is for you. Thinking about starting a business abroad? Want to move you or your assets out of the United States? Offshore basics will tell you how… and what’s legal and what’s not for an American abroad. Many of the articles […]
Invest in What You Know with an Offshore IRA
Follow the advice of Warren Buffet and many others who came before him and invest in what you know. An offshore IRA gives you the power to diversify offshore and invest in what you understand at the right price. An offshore IRA placed in an offshore company, where you are the manager of that company, […]
Offshore Business Tax Reporting Summary
If you’re operating a business outside of the United States, your offshore business tax reporting obligations can be daunting. Failure to comply can result in significant interest and penalties, the loss of your business, and even the loss of your freedom. Here is a brief description of the most common offshore business tax reporting obligations. […]
Offshore Privacy Exists!
Offshore privacy is available for U.S. citizens with offshore bank and investment accounts. If you know the tricks, offshore privacy is alive and well. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that the IRS has declared war on Americans with hidden assets and accounts offshore. There are 1.000 plus individuals sitting […]
What is U.S. Source Income?
All income that is U.S. source income is taxable in the United States. Income that is not U.S. source income is not taxable. So, planning to ensure your business income is not considered U.S. source income is the only way to keep Uncle Same out of your wallet. This article will describe U.S. source income […]
Controlled Foreign Corporation Defined
If you are doing business offshore, you need to understand the IRS Controlled Foreign Corporation rules. It is these tax laws that allow you to retain earnings from an active business offshore. These same rules force you to pay tax on passive income. If you have a non-U.S. partner, then avoiding the Controlled Foreign Corporation […]
Buy Gold in an Offshore IRA
When you buy gold in an offshore IRA, you create a hedge against currency risks, move assets out of the United States, and maximize asset protection, all the while maintaining the tax benefits of the retirement account. Buy gold in an offshore IRA LLC to maximize the benefits of taking your retirement account offshore. When […]
State Tax for Expats
If you are planning to live, work, or invest offshore, you need to plan for your state taxes. This State Tax For Expats guide will help you eliminate your state’s taxes and keep you out of trouble with local tax authorities. If you move offshore, and plan to return to your home state, then your […]
How to Settle Your Expat Tax Debt
If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you have the same rights and responsibilities when it comes to your expat tax debt as those stuck in America. The IRS has ever increasing powers to collect on that expat tax debt, so it is in your best interest to get into compliance and make arrangements […]
2014 IRS Offshore Settlement Program
If you have unreported offshore bank accounts or foreign assets, the IRS has one last best offer called the 2014 IRS Offshore Settlement Program. Come forward and, if you are living offshore, pay no penalties. If you are living in the U.S., pay only 5% for a fresh start. This, the third installment of the […]
IRS to Target Offshore Bank Accounts
If you have unreported offshore bank accounts, the IRS is coming for you … again. U.S. expats are about to find themselves under even more IRS scrutiny because of the 2014 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative, a new attack on offshore bank accounts. The IRS is starved for cash and they are coming after expats with […]
Anatomy of Offshore Tax Fraud
If you are a U.S. citizen living, working or investing abroad, you need to understand the difference between Offshore Tax Fraud and International Tax Planning. Offshore Tax Fraud is a crime while tax planning is the proper use of the U.S. tax code to minimize your taxes. There are many benefits to going offshore, but […]
Offshore IRA Fees are Low, Guaranteed
I guarantee that Offshore IRA Fees are lower than what you’re paying in the U.S. on a large managed account. Put more succinctly, the cost to manage your large IRA offshore should be less than Fidelity’s “No Fee” IRA or 401(k), less than Prudential’s no and low cost options, and less than any managed account […]
IRS Currency Transaction Report
Today I’m taking time out from my offshore beat to warn you about the CTR. An IRS Currency Transaction Report is a form filed by U.S. banks and casinos each time you make a deposit or withdrawal of $10,000 or more. It is filed in secret, without your knowledge, you don’t receive a copy, and […]