If you’re an American citizen, filing your FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) is even more important than planning your summer vacation. The FBAR deadline was changed for 2016, and is now due on April 15 2017.
The FBAR form is a report of any financial account,… Read more
America’s greatness is her policy of equality to all and nondiscrimination. Rosa Parks is famous for her stance on refusing to give in to racial discrimination. Who will be the Rosa Parks and stand up against America’s policy of geographic discrimination?
FATCA discriminates against American citizens living offshore since these expats (who by and large file and/or pay taxes without having direct representation) are required to file the form,… Read more
If you worked in America before moving to Israel, chances are you have an IRA account.
Should you transfer your retirement accounts to Israel?
An IRA is an “Individual Retirement Account.” There are several types of IRA (i.e., traditional, Roth, simple, and SEP), but the main differences relate to when taxes are paid…. Read more
Putting a portion of your retirement portfolio in another country is a good way to diversify risk on a global level. The risks associated with the economy of any single country can be mitigated by purchasing assets in other countries. Geographic diversification can be achieved through a U.S. brokerage firm by buying foreign stocks,… Read more
Investors seeking growth and tax-advantageous investments often look to investing in a foreign country. While this is commonly done with foreign stocks or global mutual funds, there is an unusual trend in foreign investments among the world’s ultra-wealthy…moving to a foreign country.
Countries want wealthy new residents who will invest in their economies and hopefully create jobs…. Read more
If you are a U.S. citizen living overseas, your Social Security, foreign bank account, and investment accounts may cause you the following challenges:
Social Security challenges
If you retire overseas and receive a foreign pension and then apply for Social Security, this can adversely affect your eligibility to receive your full benefit…. Read more
As a result of the Patriot Act, regulations were enacted that have made it difficult for U.S. investment firms to work overseas. Many firms have chosen to close down their operations outside the United States rather than adjust their compliance procedures. In fact, people living outside America have been receiving termination letters from companies like Wells Fargo,… Read more
As a result of anti-money-laundering legislation that was supposed to dry up the cash flow to terrorists, a great deal of trouble has befallen U.S. citizens living overseas. Not only do Americans now have to file IRS tax returns, but any of them who hold an aggregate of $10,000 in overseas accounts needs to file additional forms with the American government…. Read more
Boy! I really riled the feathers of a Nobel Prize winner recently when I suggested that the U.S. Social Security system resembles a Ponzi scheme. Let me give you the background: Since I work with many American olim when I help them put together financial plans and handle their U.S…. Read more
When you lived in America, you probably bought mutual funds through your U.S. brokerage firm. However, now that you live overseas, you might have some difficulties doing the same. Recently, many people contacted me after receiving a letter from their brokerage saying, “You can no longer purchase shares in U.S…. Read more
