The Nestmann Group keeps you up to date on important trends, developments and risks that may affect you. Here’s what’s new…
As a former U.S. citizen, I still come back to the United States periodically to visit friends and family. When I do, I always try to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (C&BP ) pre-clearance facility.
In the aftermath of the forced confiscation of bank accounts in Cyprus, the question that clients ask me most is, “could it happen here?†“Here†is wherever the client lives or invests, and could be the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, or any other country. The answer is yes. This result stems from the nature of our modern financial system, built as it is on the flawed foundation of a poorly-understood concept called “fractional reserve banking.â€
(Mark here. I've known Paul Rosenberg, the CEO of virtual private network provider Cryptohippie, for many years. Paul recently re-launched his very informative "Freeman's Perspective" service, and I agreed to publish one of his articles. I hope you enjoy his writing.)
Now that the U.S. tax season is well under way, tax preparers all over the country are doling out appointments to those that live within our borders. But just what are the tax obligations and tax breaks, for U.S. citizens or green card holders living abroad?
Over the last few years, I’ve helped dozens of U.S. citizens and permanent residents (“green card†holders) give up their U.S. nationality or residence status. This is called Expatriation.
No, I’m not saying that you’re a dummy. What I am saying is that it’s easy for someone to monitor your cell phone activity. Almost any dummy can figure it out, hence the title "Cell Tracking For Dummies".
Australian residency is an often overlooked option for individuals seeking permanent residence in a first-world, English-speaking country.
Blowback- an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions
How many felonies have you committed today? If you're like most Americans, you probably violate federal or state law several times each day, without even knowing it.
Two weeks ago, I returned to the United States after more than three weeks abroad, first in the Caribbean, then in Europe. I've come back with new options for Fast-Track EU Citizenship.
I've spent the last three days in Vienna, Austria. Even in January's freezing cold, this city sparkles. And it functions almost flawlessly. Perhaps that's why Mercer's, a human resources consultancy, rates Vienna the world's most livable city.
I arrived here in the Commonwealth of Dominica earlier this week. It's always a pleasure to come here; I go through the "residents" line at passport control and the official stamps my Dominica passport with the notation "RR" for returning resident.
(This is an important update to a posting originally published Nov. 9, 2012).
In between eggnog, opening gifts, along with a bout of flu, last week I reviewed a fascinating article dealing with the near century-long tradition of passport denials by U.S. officials.
Do you routinely put the "do not disturb" sign on your hotel room door? If you do, you may fit the profile of a suspected terrorist, and the FBI and Homeland Security Administration want to know about it.
Other than Hungary, the United States is the only major country that taxes its citizens, no matter where they live. In addition, wherever they live and work, U.S. citizens must also comply with the draconian reporting requirements for their foreign investments and businesses imposed by Congress summarized here.
The Caribbean nation of Antigua & Barbuda is poised to become the third sovereign state to have a bona-fide citizenship-by-investment program, joining the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis.
The ongoing economic crisis in the European Union has led the governments of Ireland and Portugal to ease the path to residence--and eventual citizenship--for well-heeled migrants. Spain is considering a similar initiative, which is even more attractive due to lower investment requirements.
For the last three days, I've been in bustling downtown Panama City, Panama, speaking at an offshore conference. Panama is as dynamic as ever, and I've made considerable progress filing my application for permanent residence.
In a surprise initiative, the ruling party in Hungary has proposed legislation granting permanent residence and ultimately citizenship to investors who purchase government bonds valued at €250,000 or more.
Mark Nestmann will be a featured speaker and exhibitor at Live & Invest Overseas Emergency Offshore Summit to be held Nov. 14-16 in Panama City, Panama, at the luxurious Veneto Grand Hotel & Casino.
After a hiatus of a few months, Overseas Radio Network has resumed live broadcasting! Once again, yours truly, P.T. Freeman, is a featured host.
It's down to the wire. Tomorrow will be day one of our long-awaited Escape from America seminar.
U.S. investors investing offshore for the first time often wonder why offshore banks won’t accept them as clients.
Over the last few weeks, local news sources in Belize have reported that officials in the country's immigration and passport offices issued identity documents to an individual linked to an Islamic jihadist organization.
In August 2011, encouraged by friends who I thought knew much more about these sorts of things than I do, I opened a small account to trade options and futures. The account was with MF Global.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And with governments in almost every country desperately seeking new revenues, it was only a matter of time before they begin imitating the U.S. example of imposing tax on the worldwide income of it citizens.
Last year, I wrote about a new State Department “Biographical Questionnaire†(Form DS-5513) that, if approved, you might have to complete to receive a passport. Among other questions, Form DS-5513 requested:
In my last post, I wrote that there are two sets of rules with which you must be concerned when you move precious metals across a U.S. border:
I've spent the last week in Belize. While I've never been before, I've learned a great deal about this fascinating country and its people over the last few days.