Tax Planning & Advice

The IRS Standard Deduction allows Americans to deduct a fixed amount of their income from US tax when they file their federal return. The Standard Deduction lets Americans avoid the hassle of itemizing their actual deductions when they file. The amount of the Standard Deduction was very low before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs […]

Americans living abroad – 2022 IRS tax filing opens this year on Monday January 24. Overseas Americans have to file US taxes on their worldwide income just like Americans living in the States. This is because, unlike most countries, the U.S. taxes based on citizenship, regardless of where you live in the world. Filing as […]

2021 has flown by, and the holidays are approaching once again. As the October extended tax filing deadline recedes in the memory, it’s a great time to do a little year-end planning to ensure that filing in 2022 is smooth and easy in order to minimize your tax bill. 1 – Ensure you’re up to date […]

US mutual funds are a popular investment vehicle stateside and are frequently recommended as an affordable and convenient way to diversify investment portfolios. With that commonplace advice in mind, many expats consider investing in mutual funds based outside the US. Investing in foreign mutual funds, however, isn’t quite as straightforward as investing in a US-based […]

Over nine million US citizens are living abroad, including US military and diplomatic staff. According to US law, all of them who meet minimum IRS income requirements have to file a US tax return every year, reporting their worldwide income. Neither international tax treaties, nor where their income is sourced, nor whether US citizens living […]

Whether you’re an expat who owns and runs a foreign business or just holds shares in one, it’s important to understand the tax implications. After all, US taxes work differently for foreign businesses than for domestic ones. Unfortunately, they can be fairly complex — like taxes on controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) and passive foreign investment […]

If you’re about to sell (or are considering selling) a substantial amount in assets, the capital gains tax is likely top of mind. While capital gains taxes can be complex in general, Americans living abroad must take additional factors into account. Failing to weigh the tax implications before carrying out a sale can take a […]

This post was last updated March 27, 2023. According to World Population Review, Canada is second only to Mexico as the most preferred destination by American expats. Between Canadian friendliness and endless natural beauty, what’s not to love? For many Americans living in Canada, there’s an added bonus: proximity to the US.  Considering these factors, […]

Last updated March 23, 2023. It seems that impactful external events may trigger introspection with regard to nationality. For example, the two years with the highest number of US citizenship renunciations ever were 2020 (6,705) and 2016 (5,411). Deciding to renounce US citizenship is a highly personal choice that comes with many life-changing implications. US […]

It’s common for longtime US expats to consider the pros and cons of renouncing US citizenship. The annual filing requirement can take a toll on both nerves and patience, leading many to question why, exactly, they maintain their US citizenship. Contrary to popular belief, however, renouncing is a time-consuming process rife with bureaucratic hurdles. To […]