Being an American Abroad: Navigating the Complex Web of Tax and Reporting Requirements
A few weeks ago, the IRS published its quarterly “name and shame” list in the Federal Register. That’s the list federal law requires the agency...
A few weeks ago, the IRS published its quarterly “name and shame” list in the Federal Register. That’s the list federal law requires the agency...
If the IRS has its way, cash will be a thing of the past. In its place, every transaction will be digital, every purchase will leave a footprint.
When Barack Obama campaigned for president in 2008, he promised to end the War on Drugs. As a candidate, he suggested the century-long war had been a failure and...
The Founding Fathers were clear when they made state rights and a leash on central government the lynch pin of our constitution.
In my mind, some things are so obvious I don’t understand how everyone doesn’t reach the same conclusions I do. President George W. Bush’s campaign to oust Saddam Hussein from power is a great example.
A few weeks ago, I was sorting through some old files from early in my career. I came across a newsletter promotion I received in 1985.
Do you own a dog? You could face six months in federal prison If you walk it on federal lands on a leash longer than six feet in length.
“I’m from the IRS and I’m here to help you.” Yes, the above is one of life’s big lies. But several years ago, it looked as if they actually intended to help if you had an offshore tax problem.
As a US citizen or permanent resident, you are forgiven for the belief you have the right to remain silent. “Pleading the fifth” (amendment), is such common chorus in American culture, it's near cliché by now.
What’s the biggest threat to our civil liberties? Is it a Congress hellbent on closing all loopholes left to US citizens grasping for privacy?
Last month, lawmakers in Massachusetts approved a constitutional amendment that will lead to the departure of many of the state’s wealthiest and most productive citizens.
I love technology. I can’t imagine life without modern conveniences like telephones, email, and the internet. Not to mention running water, air conditioning, and automobiles.
Expatriation – deliberately giving up your US citizenship and passport – is admittedly a touchy topic. Congressman Sam Gibbons (D-FL), referring to expatriates, spoke of “the despicable act of renouncing allegiance to the United States.â€
It was the perfect pitch for 1,076 young foreigners who had just graduated from a US university but didn’t want to return home. They could continue their studies at the University of Northern New Jersey without bothering to attend class, take tests, or butt heads with professors.
Those “heroic” EU bureaucrats in Brussels are at it again. They’ve already banned bananas that are too curved. Water companies can’t claim that drinking water fights dehydration.
That’s what the headlines should have proclaimed. But they didn’t. Instead, when announcing the theft of more than 11.5 million records from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, ...
Imagine arriving at your local airport one morning for a domestic flight to a neighboring city. You approach the security checkpoint and the TSA lackey asks for your identification.
Donald Trump’s legal antics underscore something that’s very wrong with the US legal system. When he encounters someone who says or writes something he doesn’t like, or refuses to be bullied, he sues.
It’s bad enough depositing your money into a bank account and earning essentially zero interest on it, or in some countries, having a negative interest rate.
300 years before the birth of Christ, a man named Neoptolemus took what was alleged to be his ill-gotten gains and fled the city-state of Athens. The leader of Athens, Lycurgus, demanded that Neoptolemus be executed for fleeing with his wealth.
In the runup to April 15’s tax-filing deadline, the IRS has once again published a list of what it calls its “Dirty Dozen” tax scams.
Economist John Maynard Keynes is often quoted as calling it the “barbarous relic.” Soviet revolutionary Vladimir Lenin said he would build toilets out of it, as the ultimate symbol of capitalist waste.
Earlier this month, the Federal Register published its quarterly list of former US citizens and permanent residents who have “expatriated,” i.e., given up their US citizenship or permanent residence.
It’s bad enough that the US government has the authority to revoke your passport if you have a “seriously delinquent tax debt.” That little gem was buried in the 2015 Highway Funding Bill, which President Obama signed in December.
I’m in the executive lounge at Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Martin drinking double espressos and waiting for a connecting flight to Charlotte.
Greetings from the island of Nevis! I’m here dealing with yearend formalities associated with Fortress Trust Ltd., a registered agent for Nevis trusts, LLCs, and IBCs.
When I was nine years old, I was one of the smallest students in my fourth grade class. With my small size, not to mention my smart mouth, I attracted more than my share of elementary school bullies.
In the 30 years I’ve been writing about developments in the offshore world, I’ve been called a lot of things: “Insightfulâ€â€¦ â€thoughtfulâ€â€¦ but also “misguidedâ€â€¦ and (my personal favorite) “pessimistic.â€
Three weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that the Chinese renminbi (aka yuan) would join a group of other currencies to comprise what’s called the SDR (Special Drawing Rights) basket.
A few days ago, I was speaking to a client who informed me that “the PATRIOT Act expired last week.” She went on to tell me that as a result, she now felt her electronic communications were safe from warrantless government surveillance.