11/05/2024
It’s usually not ideal to withdraw from retirement accounts before you reach retirement age. For one, withdrawing these funds early means you miss out on the exponential tax-free growth they can accrue over decades. What’s more, the IRS levies both a 401(k) early withdrawal penalty and an individual retirement account (IRA) early withdrawal penalty. With […]
10/31/2024
Most Americans know basic tax concepts and terminology, like income, credits, deductions, and exclusions. Phrases like modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), on the other hand, aren’t always as well-known. If you’re not familiar with MAGI, it can benefit you to read up on the concept. After all, understanding your MAGI can help you reduce your […]
10/30/2024
After years of saving for retirement, if you hold qualified US retirement accounts, you’ll need to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) at some point. While the rules around RMDs and RMD taxation are complex — especially if you live outside of the United States — they’re also essential to understand when retirement planning in order […]
10/25/2024
At tech companies, startups, large publicly traded companies, and many other employers, incentive stock options (ISOs) are a common offering. If you’re a US expat with ISOs, you may stand to benefit financially from them in a significant way — especially if you keep ISO taxation in mind. The way the US taxes ISOs can […]
10/23/2024
Living and running a business abroad offers exciting opportunities, but it also brings unique challenges – especially when it comes to taxes. Understanding potential tax savings for business owners can be a game-changer, allowing American expats to reduce their U.S. tax burden by making smart financial decisions. Optimizing your salary is one of the most […]
10/17/2024
Did you know you and your dependents can expand your knowledge and gain job skills while reducing your tax bill? The IRS offers a couple of different continuing education tax benefits, which can help offset higher education expenses by decreasing your tax burden. In many cases, even Americans attending an educational institution abroad are eligible […]
10/10/2024
Many expats assume moving abroad means they don’t have any state tax obligations — unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. New York is one of several states that makes it difficult for former residents to sever tax ties. If you most recently lived in New York before moving overseas, you may need to file — […]
10/03/2024
If you’re looking for a country with stunning beaches, rich history, a lower cost of living, and healthy, delicious cuisine, you can’t go wrong with Cyprus. This Mediterranean island nation has long flown under the radar, but its reputation as an expat hotspot is on the rise. Of course, before moving there, it’s important to […]
09/26/2024
In recent years, Portugal and Spain have become popular retirement destinations. It’s easy to see why — both countries boast rich cultures, natural beauty, great weather, and dedicated retirement visas. But when it comes to retiring in Spain vs. Portugal, which option should you choose? To help you decide, we’ve put together a high-level guide […]
09/20/2024
Starting a business overseas may seem daunting — but it can bring major benefits. For high-earning, self-employed American expats in particular, registering a US-based C corporation and a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) can lead to major savings on their US tax bill. Before you rush to file your articles of incorporation, though, you’ll want to […]