Expat Taxes

International tax laws are beautifully complex and present many tax planning opportunities. Understanding each client’s unique circumstances and objectives are key to minimizing global tax liability.

 

In light of the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there are a significant number of planning opportunities available. Without proper guidance and compliance, expat tax rules are fraught with penalties. We focus on individual expats, corporate global mobility programs, foreign nationals, short-term international assignments (i.e., business trips) and permanent transfers.We utilize a three-step approach to ensure optimal tax outcomes:

 

Step 1. Discovery

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This initial step involves discovery and analysis of your current and future tax situation. During this phase we review your current tax documents, related issues, and future projections. Issues that can impact your tax planning include your tax country, earned income, social security taxes, self-employment taxes, housing tax deductions, foreign retirement plans, international tax treaties and totalization treaties. Almost every financial decision, and surprisingly, even non-financial decisions, have tax implications which can be planned for. When made and implemented properly, the cumulative savings resulting from proper planning are significant.

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Step 2. Recommendations

 

​We then evaluate our findings from step one to form tax recommendations customized to your unique tax situation. Our recommendations include:

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• Strategies on incentive based compensation such as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), employer stock purchase plans (ESPP), incentive stock options (ISOs), Non-qualified Stock Options (NSOs), and annual bonuses

• Retirement tax planning 

• Effectively use of the Myriad of employer benefits offered

• Real estate tax planning, including passive loss strategies

• Tax benefits of education plans

• Life changing events such as Birth of a child, marriage, purchase of a home, divorce, etc.

• Business tax planning, including business succession and exit strategies

• Social security benefits and optimal outcomes, including totalization agreements

• Foreign bank account reporting (Form 114)

• Ownership interest in foreign businesses

• Foreign earned income exclusion (Form 2555)

• Foreign tax credit

• Family and multi-generational tax planning

• Tax efficient investment strategies

• Charitable giving such as charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts

• Entity selection strategies that would minimize taxes

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) benefits to you and your business

• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and IRA Roth conversions

• Inheritance tax planning

• Trust and estate planning, including trustee and fiduciary guidance

 

Step 3. Implementation
 

We implement and monitor your customized tax return and planning. We also make new tax planning recommendations every year when we file your tax return, as new tax laws are enacted and as your lifestyle and needs invariably change over time. Lastly, our plan ensures that compliance issues are reflected on your tax return with the proper forms and schedules.