02/10/2026
The languages spoken in Germany are more diverse than many expect. Beyond standard German, regional dialects can sound like entirely different languages, and immigrant communities bring a wide range of voices to everyday life. English pops up a lot in bigger cities, which naturally raises the question: how far will English actually get you, and […]
02/10/2026
Form 5471, which the IRS calls “Information Return of US Persons With Respect To Certain Foreign Corporations”, is an informational return that US taxpayers with shares in a foreign corporation must file. Whether you need to file Form 5471 depends on the percentage of stock you own in a foreign corporation.
02/09/2026
Living in Germany as an American often feels like a mix of calm, stability, balance, curiosity, and the occasional “Wait… how does this system work again?” For many Americans, it’s a refreshing shift that brings the kind of stability they didn’t realize they were missing. But the transition does come with some real adjustments. Germany […]
02/08/2026
If you’re a U.S. taxpayer with foreign accounts, FATCA — the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act — is probably lurking somewhere on your radar. It’s the law that makes sure Americans aren’t quietly stashing money overseas without telling the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The twist? Not everyone has to jump through all the hoops. FATCA […]
02/07/2026
As a digital nomad, the world is your office—but that doesn’t mean your taxes get to travel as freely as you do. If you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad, you’re still required to pay taxes on your income, even if you’re working from a beach in Bali or a café in Paris. Understanding digital nomad […]
02/06/2026
Living abroad can be an adventure—new culture, new coffee, new rent receipts. But if you’re a U.S. taxpayer overseas, there’s one perk you don’t want to miss: the Foreign Housing Exclusion. The Foreign Housing Exclusion (FHE) allows qualified expats to deduct certain housing costs from their taxable income—on top of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. […]
02/05/2026
Spain has a way of making big life changes feel deceptively easy. The pace slows, the food improves, and suddenly staying for “just a year” turns into a plan. But for Americans living in Spain, 2026 still comes with a to-do list hiding behind the sunshine—residency steps, housing, healthcare access, budgeting in euros, and paperwork […]
02/04/2026
Inheriting cash or a flat in another country feels like winning the life lottery—right up until you remember the IRS has opinions. Here’s the good news: there’s no separate foreign inheritance tax under U.S. law. The less-good news: there are rules, forms, and deadlines, and the IRS would very much like you to follow them. […]
02/03/2026
Big gifts come with a little fine print. If you give more than the annual exclusion to any one person in a year (or make another reportable transfer), Form 709 is the paperwork that keeps score. Here’s the surprise: filing the form doesn’t usually mean paying the federal gift tax. Instead, it’s more like keeping […]
02/02/2026
Winning the lottery feels like the universe just handed you a golden ticket—until the IRS shows up with scissors to take its cut. Whether you cash out in a lump sum payment or spread your jackpot over annual payments, taxes on lottery winnings are unavoidable. Between federal rates (up to 37%) and state rules that […]